Isabel of Castile and the making of the Spanish nation, 1451-1504

Isabel of Castile emerges as a pivotal figure in late‑medieval Spain, whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon set the stage for a unified nation. The book traces her early years amid the turmoil of Henry IV’s misrule and the civil unrest that fractured Castile, showing how she navigated court intrigue to claim the throne. From the outset, Isabel’s political acumen and determination are portrayed as key forces that began to transform a fragmented kingdom into a coherent power.

Plunket’s narrative then follows the first years of Isabel’s reign, detailing her efforts to restore order through administrative reforms and the decisive campaign against the remaining Moorish strongholds. He also examines the controversial establishment of the Spanish Inquisition and Isabel’s patronage of Christopher Columbus, illustrating how these moves reflected both her religious convictions and her ambitions for overseas expansion. The study balances political analysis with vivid accounts of court life, offering listeners a clear picture of a monarch who helped shape Spain’s emergence onto the European stage.