The testament of Isabella the Catholic: A legacy that transformed America and her beatification
In the final days of her life, Isabella the Catholic, one of the most influential figures in Spanish history, drafted a document that not only determined the fate of her kingdom but also left an indelible mark on America.
This will, written three days before his death on November 26, 1504, is considered by experts to be a defining moment in the history of the American continent.
However, its content and the queen’s intentions have been, according to some historians, «intentionally forgotten» or misinterpreted in modern discourse.
The testament of Isabella the Catholic, written in Medina del Campo, was not only a political document, but a declaration of ethical and religious principles.
In it, the queen expressed her desire that the lands discovered in the New World be treated fairly. According to Carlos Pérez’s analysis , Isabel explicitly requested that the indigenous people be treated as free subjects, with respect for their rights and dignity, and that they be evangelized in the Christian faith.
This mandate reflected his vision of an empire based on the spread of the Catholic faith.
The document, which consists of several clauses, details precise instructions for her heirs. Isabella ordered that the American lands not be exploited for personal gain, but that humane treatment of the inhabitants be encouraged.
Professor Carlos Pérez, speaking on COPE, emphasized that Isabel’s will is «intentionally forgotten» because it challenges modern narratives that seek to simplify the conquest as a solely oppressive process.
According to Pérez, the queen not only promoted evangelization, but also laid the foundation for a legal framework that, if followed, would have protected indigenous people in a pioneering way for the time.
Her will isn’t the only aspect of Elizabeth’s life that generates discussion. Her beatification process, formally initiated in 1974, remains a hot topic.
The Archdiocese of Valladolid, which is in charge of the case, has compiled numerous documents highlighting the queen’s Christian virtues, such as her devotion, her support for the Church, and her commitment to justice.
However, critics argue that his role in the expulsion of the Jews in 1492 and the colonization of the Americas raises ethical dilemmas that complicate his canonization.
According to Vatican News, the beatification process has moved slowly, in part due to the need to assess the historical context of Elizabeth’s decisions.
Carlos Pérez emphasized on COPE that the queen acted in accordance with the values of her time, seeking to unify Spain under a single faith during a period of religious conflict.
The legacy of Isabella the Catholic reflects the contradictions of her era. On the one hand, her will demonstrates a genuine concern for justice and evangelization; on the other, the realities of the conquest distorted her intentions.
The truth is that his will, a document of enormous significance, reminds us that history is neither black nor white, but a mosaic of intentions, actions, and consequences.
Ultimately, the legacy of Isabella the Catholic challenges us to confront the complexity of our past without falling into simplifications that, as Pérez points out, «intentionally forget» the truth.
Original Article from Gateway Hispanic.
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