Isabel Queen of Spain: The Catholic Queen, from 1991, is a great story written by William Carroll. She was Catholic, but Isabel Queen of Spain: The Catholic Queen should appeal to everyone. This is one of the most compelling figures in history. Isabel of Spain was a force with which to be reckoned, and should eclipse the better-known Elizabeth of England, both as a woman and a national leader. The book is annotated and very readable. Do you think this queen is the most influential in history?
Summary of Isabel Queen of Spain: The Catholic Queen
Isabel Queen of Spain: The Catholic Queen was written in 1991 and is about the 15th-century queen. Before she became Queen, she had to fight for her crown with political enemies who tried to set up rivals to usurp her authority. She also had to ward off attempts by other political enemies to arrange marriages for her, which she did not want. When such a marriage with an older criminal named Giron, the story of which was in the book, was arranged, there was no way out of it.
Here is a quotation from Isabel Queen of Spain: The Catholic Queen, “This time there was no way for Isabel to divide her enemies. Even the Pope had decided against her. Giron would arrive in less than a month. He had proclaimed his intention to marry her immediately. She was trapped…. Marriage to Pedro Giron, lecher and despoiler, as opposite to Isabel as any human being could be, was beyond bearing…. What does a Christian do in such a situation?
He – or she – prays. And Isabel did pray, as she had prayed never before… ‘Either let him die, or let me die… Either let him die, or let me die…’ Giron was on the march. By April 13, at the head of his mighty host, he had reached El Berrueco… North from El Berrueco rode Giron with his men, into the Sierra Morena, the Dark Mountains…. And there they noticed that Pedro Giron, Master of Calatrava, was swaying in his saddle… The next day, he grew worse; the next, worse still. Choking, strangling, and cursing God with his last breath because He had not let him live to claim his virgin bride, on the third day, Pedro Giron died.
For Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, and the earth is the Lord’s; and prayers to Him are heard. As Isabel the Catholic had always known, and would never forget.” (page 31.) So, she did not have the marriage she did not want. Most of the book is about the crusades, which were occurring during her reign. This book is a fascinating look at them and the history of her reign.
A Quick History of Isabel’s Spain
She lived from April 22, 1451, to November 26, 1504, and she reigned as queen of Spain from December 11, 1474, to November 26, 1504. Isabella and her husband Ferdinand are known for being the first monarchs to be referred to as the queen and king of Spain, respectively. Together with her husband, she was granted the title of “Catholic Monarch” by Pope Alexander VI, a Spaniard. Her sainthood cause was opened in 1958, and in 1974, she was granted the title of Servant of God in the Catholic Church.
Conclusion
One of the best things about Isabel Queen of Spain: The Catholic Queen, is the history of an interesting historical epoch. As a book about history Isabel Queen of Spain: The Catholic Queen should appeal to everyone, not just Catholics. Her reign also encompassed the discovery of the so-called New World. That said, Isabel’s strong Catholic beliefs are inspirational. William Carroll, who received his P.hD. from Columbia University, has done us a great service.
