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Isabella of Castile Biography
Royalty
Also Known As: Isabella I; Isabella the Catholic
Isabella is known to generations of schoolchildren as the queen who financed Columbus's voyages to the New World. Her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon helped unite Spain. Isabella also presided over the notorious Inquisition, led by her confessor Tomas de Torquemada.
Extra credit: Isabella's youngest daughter, Catherine of Aragon, was the first wife of Henry VIII of England... Isabella's daughter Joanna ("the Mad") was the mother of Charles V, king of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor
Four Good Links
Catholic Encyclopedia: Isabella I
Deep (and sympathetic) biography from the encyclopedia of her church
Isabella I
History and related links
Isabella I
Information Please has the straight scoop, with links
The Age of Exploration
The Mariner's Museum has general information about Columbus and others
Vital Stats
Birth
Birthplace
Madrigal de las Altas Torras, Spain
Death
Best Known As
The queen who sponsored Christopher Columbus