Joanna of Castile
“Joanna the Mad” was the nickname given to Joanna of Castile. She was a Spanish Queen who ruled Castile from 1504 to 1555. Born in 1479 to King Ferdinand II of Aragon, she was married to Philip the Handsome of Austria. In 1504, after her mother’s death, she became Queen of Castile. Joanna’s mental illness caused her to behave erratically, leading to her nickname “Joanna the Mad” and making her an ineffective ruler. Consequently, her siblings divided her kingdom during her reign. Despite her personal struggles, she is remembered for supporting the arts and patronizing famous artists like Michelangelo.
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