Isabella of Castile

Isabella of Castile (1451-1504) was a significant Spanish queen known for uniting Spain through her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469. Together, they completed the Reconquista, capturing Granada in 1492, which ended Muslim rule in Spain. Isabella is also known for sponsoring Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage, leading to the discovery of the Americas. Her reign marked the beginning of Spain’s emergence as a global power and initiated significant cultural and political changes. Isabella was influential in promoting religious unity, notably through the Alhambra Decree, which expelled Jews who refused to convert to Christianity.