isabella of castile europe's first great queen

After her first brother took control of Castile Isabella has given another brother which knocked her down to forth in line to the thrown. When she was born Isabella was third in line to take her father’s throne. She had to work with her roles as a woman to be a great woman of the time by doing what was expected of her but doing it better and outthinking others to giver her what she wants after she wins them over by staying within her role. She had a plan to be exceptional and be a marginal Queen people could look up to but she had to act average to achieve those goals. Throughout her rise to the thrown Queen Isabella, I of Castile faced many obstacles that would limit most king and queens but she used the obstacles to learn and establish power over her territory once she took control. Queen Isabella’s rule is an example of how someone in a confined role can break the mold and do more by doing the most she can from the role given to her. She was able to make an effect that has lasted for over hundreds of years by being courageous, accepting what was expected of her as a woman, but also choosing her own path. Without her significant contributions to the Spanish Empire it easy to see how not only modern Spain but how modern Europe as a whole would be changed with the loss of a great leader. In her rise to power, she knew when to put on a well-behaved face and play politics but she also knew when to pick up her sword and show the warrior inside of her by taking charge and leading her people over their oppressors of the last 700 years.

Even in an area such as the Iberian peninsula where it is more acceptable to name a female heir women were viewed as weak, less intelligent, and unable to perform great tasks, none of which describe Isabella as she showed qualities of a true leader long before she took the throne. During her time period, women took political power with criticism and had to prove themselves so much more than their male counterparts.

Queen Isabella I of Castile was not the first female ruler nor is she one of the most recognizable rules taught in the standard history classroom.

Isabella of castile europe's first great queen