The Rise of Isabel of Castile

**This episode contains sexually explicit language**

In an age when powerful female rulers were few and far between, Isabel of Castile rose against the odds to become one of Europe's most formidable monarchs. Crowned ruler of a chaotic, divided kingdom in 1474, Isabel transformed Castile into a powerhouse and helped forge the foundation of modern Spain. But was she a visionary queen and unifier of a fractured land or a zealot whose decisions cast long shadows? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Isabel's biographer Giles Tremlett to explore her rise to power and her forging of a strategic alliance with Ferdinand of Aragon.

MORE:

Christopher Columbus

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5irll7mMs6rpkFvQR3L5VR

Velazquez & the Spanish Court

https://open.spotify.com/episode/68UKq5ABg5mPJTAwk8vqLr

Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music used courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcast

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.

You can take part in our listener survey here:

https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on