Abstract
This paper considers the life of Joanna of Castile by examining her ancestry and childhood. Reflection is then given to the circumstances surrounding Joanna's marriage and relationship with her husband, while also considering the worldviews of the 14th century. The paper concludes by attempting to respond to whether Joanna was truly mad, or whether the men who controlled her were just using this accusation as a way of obtaining their political ambitions.

Outline:
Introduction
Ancestry and Childhood
A Wife, a Mother, and 14th Century Worldviews
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Joanna of Castile (1479-1555), or "Joan the Mad," the daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, is "best known for her infatuation with her husband and apparent madness after his death" (Jeannine Dugan, 2007). Wild, impetuous, but possibly not insane, Joanna spent the majority of her life imprisoned by her own father not long after the birth of her youngest child in 1507. Almost fifty years later, abandoned and alone, and considered as being totally mad, Queen Juana l of Castile died in her windowless prison at the age of 75 years. "

Tags:royalty, ferdinand, isabella

Abstract
The paper looks at Renee Levine Melammed's text, "Heretics or Daughters of Israel? The Crypto-Jewish Women of Castile". The paper identifies and explores the author's main argument, theme or point of view; the paper also offers a brief description of the content of the book and ends things by providing a discussion of two portions of the text that are especially instructive in terms of what they reveal about the troubled relationship between Christians and Jews - and about the nature of Jewish resistance to Catholic oppression.

From the Paper
"The following paper looks at Renee Levine Melammed's text, "Heretics or Daughters of Israel? The Crypto-Jewish Women of Castile". In so doing, what this paper will identify and explore the author's main argument, theme or point of view; the paper will also offer a brief description of the content of the book and end things by providing a discussion of two portions of the text that are especially instructive in terms of what they reveal about the troubled relationship between Christians and Jews - and about the nature of Jewish resistance to Catholic oppression. At its core, Melammed's text is fundamentally about the efforts of the..."

Tags:conversas, spanish, inquisition

From the Paper
"This paper will discuss the life of Ferdinand I, also known as Fernando I, ruler of L?on, Castile, Galicia and the Rioja from 1035 to 1065. The first part of the paper will provide some background to Ferdinand's reign, examining the respective situations of the Moorish empire in Spain and the Christian kingdoms in northern Spain. The second part of the paper will look at the career of Ferdinand I and provide some detail of his role in the Christian Reconquest of Spain. The third part of the paper will discuss some of the reasons for the success of the Christians in weakening the Moorish empire in Spain during the Eleventh Century."

Abstract
This paper examines the actions of Christopher Columbus and reveals his underlying motivations. It is demonstrated that the demands he made were outrageous and he sailed only out of greed. He deceived his crew and manipulated the King and Queen of Castile in a desperate attempt for wealth and glory. It looks at how Columbus' incredible brutality toward the natives not only set a pattern for future contacts between Europeans and Indians but finally outraged the authorities in Spain to the point where he was brought home in chains.

From the Paper
"In the spring of 1486 Columbus brought his plan of a westward voyage to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Castile. Instead of immediately approving his proposition, they appointed a special commission to carefully study his proposals. The commission took four years to make its report and during that time Columbus unsuccessfully took his plan to England and Portugal. When the Spanish commission gave its report, it too condemned his proposed expedition as impractical. Ferdinand and Isabella were too preoccupied with the conquest of the Muslim kingdom of Granada and had no time for voyages into the unknown. Despite all this, they hinted that it might be worth trying again in a few months."

Tags:1492, conquest, discovery, new, salvador, san, spain, voyage, world

Abstract
Born on March 10, 1452, at Sos in Aragon, Ferdinand V was the son of John II of Aragon and Juana Enriquez of Castile. This paper shows that as Ferdinand the Catholic of Spain and the husband of Isabella I, heiress apparent to the Castilian crown, this dynamic monarch laid the foundations of Spanish unity and imperial power. The paper explores how Ferdinand was instrumental in the "discovery" of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and the introduction of Spanish power in the "New World" which altered the entire history of the Western hemisphere.

From the Paper
"In Aragon, Ferdinand approached his problems connected with Catalonia in a more constitutional way. The Sentence of Guadalupe in 1486 offered a compromise solution to the difficult peasant question in Catalonia, where the municipalities were assured a degree of autonomy. In Catalonia, the king remained essentially what he had been in medieval times, namely a supreme lord but with strict limits on his powers. But in Castile, the Crown was in a position to exercise absolute power, while in Catalonia and throughout Aragon, power was limited by the traditional contractual relationship. This contrast was to be profoundly important for the later history of the two Crowns and lay at the root of the major rebellions, especially that of 1591, that the citizens of Aragon were to undertake against Castile."

Tags:Inquisition, Reconquest, Celestina

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the life of Francisco de Vitoria. According to the paper, Francisco de Vitoria was extremely influential in the Catholic Church as a jurist and for his "just war theory," which questioned the inhumane treatment of natives in North and South America after Columbus' discovery of the New World. The paper reports that as an educator, philosopher, and theologian, Francisco de Vitoria is known as the "father of international and natural law".

From the Paper
"While Vitoria's ideas did not always match Catholic philosophy, he consistently remained in favor with the Popes in power. They often asked for his guidance and ideas on thorny topics, from suicide to law governing the conquest of foreign lands. His biographer and translator, John P. Doyle notes, "Indeed, his favor with the emperor was an important factor in the positive reception of that condemnation and the adoption in 1542 of 'The New Laws of the Indies,' which has been called the 'most Christian code ever promulgated in a colonial situation'" (Doyle 13). Thus, while sometimes his theories did not match those of the Church, he still gained the respect and admiration of Church leaders, so much so that he was often consulted in theological and spiritual matters. In fact, Emperor Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor from 1519 to 1556 asked Vitoria to represent Spain at the Council of Trent that had been commissioned by Pope Paul VI in 1545. However, Vitoria could not attend the momentous Council, as he was in very poor health and died the following year."

Tags:Spanish, Jewish, Catholic, Church, Dominican, Aquinas, pope, Conquistadors, indians, law, Old, Castile

Abstract
Covers the policies and character of Philip II's reign in attempting to determine the accuracy of his nickname The Prudent King. Contemporary and recent sources used to illustrate Philip's strengths and weaknesses, and a balanced conclusion is reached with regards to whether he deserved his epithet. Major events of his reign are referred to, including the campaign in the Low Countries and against England. Philip's personal principles and religious beliefs are examined. The difficulties faced by 16th century European rulers acknowledged in addition to outlining the shortcomings which at time made Philip a distinctly 'imprudent ' king.

From the Paper
"The proverbial qualities of Philip II leave little doubt as to how he came to be assigned the nickname "the prudent" - for he faced many of the challenges set against him with care and profound thought. Often mindful of the future, he displayed a capacity for administrative industry and put the advice offered to him by his father in the "Instructions" to the best use he could. It is vital, however, to consider how the "prudence" exhibited by Philip could at times lead to his adopting highly imprudent methods of government with regards to both the domestic situation in Castile and the prosecution of Spanish foreign policy."

Tags:armada, ii, netherlands, revolt, england, spain, spanish, castile, king, leader, government