Next up is a Queen who was deemed mad by her father, husband and son, but was the first to rule another major European nation as we see in the maps today. She would spend most of her regnal years confined, while her sons ruled nations that you can't count with your hands.
https://twitter.com/Arby_K/status/1315946857290293248
When Princess Juana was born in 1479 as the third child (and second daughter) of her parents, she was never expected to rule. Though she became the Queen of two nations, she would never really rule either. 1/10 
Her mother, Isabella, was the regnant Queen of Castile, while her father, Ferdinand, ruled Aragon. With the conquest of Granada in 1491, her parents had completed the 700 year war to reclaim the Iberian peninsula in the name of the Church (Reconquista). 2/10
Coming from a strongly devout Catholic, she was a rebellious teenager, but her life probably never went the way she wanted.
In 1496, her marriage was arranged with the scion of another Catholic monarchy, Philip of Burgundy. 3/10
In 1496, her marriage was arranged with the scion of another Catholic monarchy, Philip of Burgundy. 3/10
With the death of her elder brother, her elder sister and nephew in quick succession, she became the heir presumptive for both her parent's thrones in 1500, followed by her German born son Karolus. 4/10
The death of her mother in 1504 made Joanna the Queen of Castile, but her father saw to that her rule remained only in name. Claiming Juana to be "ill", Ferdinand got the approval from the Cortes to rule.
However, civil war loomed as her husband backed Juana. 5/10
However, civil war loomed as her husband backed Juana. 5/10
But Philip had his own agenda. He had already inherited the Burgundian realms (Present day Netherlands and Belgium) from his mother and was heir to the Habsburg realms (Austria and nominally Holy Roman Empire).
He was looking to acquire his wife's domains as well. 6/10
He was looking to acquire his wife's domains as well. 6/10
Philip also encouraged the rumours about Juana, but his sudden death in 1506 ended his ambitions. Ferdinand regained control over Castile as Regent while Juana remained powerless. 7/10
In 1516, Ferdinand died, making Juana the Queen of Castile and Aragon and effectively the first Queen of Spain in its current form. Her son, Karolus, would be made King in 1517 as well, while Juana remained confined with her physical conditions worsening with age. 8/10
Her son, Karolus, would inherit all the realms Juana's husband wanted.
Her younger son, Ferdinand, would add Bohemia and parts of Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia as well in 1526. after the Battle of Mohacs. leading to one of the largest dominions in Europe since 840 9/10
Her younger son, Ferdinand, would add Bohemia and parts of Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia as well in 1526. after the Battle of Mohacs. leading to one of the largest dominions in Europe since 840 9/10
Juana died in 1555, as queen for 51 years, her life made hard by her loved ones who fought for her inheritance.
Coincidentally, @smithsonian had written this about her younger sister yesterday.
smithsonianmag.com/history/when-c… 10/10
Coincidentally, @smithsonian had written this about her younger sister yesterday.
smithsonianmag.com/history/when-c… 10/10
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