Isabel de Castela e Fernando de Aragão: estratégias matrimoniais e construção do poder na Monarquia Ibérica

Abstract

The marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon was a turning point in the configuration of Iberian monarchical power in the 15th century. Far from being a mere dynastic arrangement, this union resulted from complex political negotiations and solidified Isabella’s rise to the Castilian throne amid succession disputes and internal rivalries. This article examines the strategies employed by Isabella to secure her position as the rightful queen of Castile, from marital negotiations to the Concordia de Segovia, a document that defined Ferdinand’s political role in Castile. The research is based on primary sources, such as chronicles and diplomatic documents, combined with a historiographical review that discusses monarchical centralization and the symbolic construction of royal power. The analysis highlights how Isabella played a leading role in political decisions, redefining monarchy and strengthening dynastic legitimacy during a period of profound transformations in the Iberian Peninsula.