The Role of Queen Isabella in the War of Castilian Succession (1475-1479)

Abstract

Isabella I of Castile consolidated her position as titular queen of Castile once the civil war with which her reign had begun was finally over. After her proclamation in Segovia in December 1474, in early 1475 she was forced to negotiate with her husband –Ferdinand of Aragón– and his supporters in order to be accepted as titular queen with full rights. This meant forging a pact between Isabella and Ferdinand through which the king consort would gain wide-ranging powers in Castile. Once this hurdle had been overcome, there was a need to deal with those who defended the rights to succession claimed by her niece Juana de Trastámara, who was supported by Alfonso V of Portugal. Juana and her supporters’ claim to the throne sparked a civil war and a war with Portugal, which was fought between 1475 and 1479. In line with contemporary thinking and the strictly defined gender roles of the time, Isabella –as a woman– could not be at the head of the army. Yet, as queen, and in order to display her full power to the kingdom, she needed to show herself as “the monarch” who defended their kingdom. The queen thus became involved in the war by taking decisions, giving orders and seeking to ensure these were carried out –as can be seen in documents signed by her concerning matters related to the conflict. Chroniclers of the period also portray her as taking an active part in military matters. The present work deals with such matters, leaving aside any involvement related to Isabella’s condition as a woman (recruitment, supplies, prayer) in order to highlight the military action in which she was involved (Toro, Burgos, Trujillo, etc.).