Isabel I of Castile

Queen Isabel I of Castile (1451–1504) was a powerful monarch who unified Spain by marrying Ferdinand of Aragon, creating the foundation for a centralized monarchy. She strengthened royal authority, sponsored Columbus's 1492 voyage, and completed the Reconquista by capturing Granada, ending Muslim rule in Spain. Isabel promoted religious uniformity, supporting the Spanish Inquisition to enforce Catholic orthodoxy. Her reign significantly shaped Spain’s political, cultural, and religious identity, setting the stage for its emergence as a major global empire.