Queen Isabella's Life

Queen Isabella's Birth

Apr 22, 1451

Queen Isabella was born in Madrid, Spain. The second child of her parents.

Isabella Becomes Ruler

Dec 13, 1474

Isabella, after the death of her two brothers, becomes the ruler of Castile and Leon and along with her husband King Ferdinand ll of Aragon, they united Spain.

Columbus Comes To Spain for the First Time

1485

Columbus comes to Spain and asked for the rulers to sponsor his trip to India- using a new route.

Isabella And Ferdinand's Response

1485

Isabella and Ferdinand say no- as they are in the middle of a war with the Muslims.

Columbus Comes Back

1491

After seven years of fighting the Muslims, Queen Isabella has won. Columbus, seeing their good fortune, asks again for them to sponsor his trip.

Isabella Sponsors the Trip to 'India'

Mar 31, 1492

Isabella calls Columbus back a few days later. King Ferdinand still says 'no' but Isabella yells to say she will allow him to do so- even if the money has to come from her own wardrobe. Columbus is overcome with happiness and promises to do good in the name of Spain.

Columbus Comes Back To Spain With Natives and Treasures

Mar 15, 1493

Columbus came back to Spain with treasures he had stolen and natives he kidnapped. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were very impressed and he was treated like a lord. They made a lot of money with the items Columbus came back with, including some very rare and valuable ones. Spain was growing rich, thanks to Isabella's faith and trust in Columbus voyage.

Isabella Sends Him With Supplies

Sep 24, 1493

Isabella also sends his with supplies to start the first colony that is to become the United States of America. She sends him resources to start this colony- hoping that Spain would have another piece of land to control- as it is the powerhouse of Europe at the time because of the treasures Columbus brought back- already making them wealthy.

Isabella Sends Him On His Second Voyage

Sep 24, 1493

Later, Queen Isabella sens Columbus out to the New World again to collect spices and gold for Spain. She does this because she wants to make trade with other countries and build a new Church.

Isabella Becomes An Actisvist

Sep 16, 1501

Isabella, seeing how cruel the Natives were being treated under Columbus' care- becomes an advocate for them. Taking them under her protection, including those that were in the United States of America at the time. She gives them care and comfort and they see her as Isabella the Merciful. She also converts them to Catholicism.

The Rest of His Trips

Nov 26, 1504

Queen Isabella sponsored the rest of Columbus' trips to the new world up until she died contracting a fever in 1504.