The Children of Adam and Eve

Isabella I was the daughter of John II of Castile and Leon by his second wife, Isabella of Portugal. In 1469 Princess Isabella married Ferdinand of Aragon, known also as Ferdinand V, The Catholic, and on the Death of her Brother, Henry IV,Isabella and Ferdinand jointly succeeded (1474) to the throne of Castile and Leon. Isabella's succession was contested, however, by Alfonso V of Portugal, who supported the claim of Henry's daughter Juana la Beltraneja (1462-1530). Alfonsoattacked Castile and Leon but was defeated by the Castilian army in 1476. Three years later Ferdinand succeeded to the throne of Aragon. This union of the two main Spanish kingdoms laid the foundation of Spain's future greatness. Isabella andher husband (known together as "The Catholic Kings") are remembered for completing the reconquest of Spain from the Moors, for initiating the Inquisition, and for their ruthless expulsion of the Spanish Jews. They are perhaps best known,however, for having sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus.