Joanna of Castile, also known as Joanna the Mad or Juana la Loca, was born on November 6, 1479, in Toledo, Spain. She was the third child of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, whose union formed the basis for the unification of Spain. Joanna's life is marked by her tumultuous reign and her complex personal history.
Joanna received an extensive education, learning languages, history, music, and the arts, which was uncommon for women of her time. She spoke Castilian, Latin, French, and later learned German. Her parents intended for her to be well-prepared for her future role in European politics.
Joanna was married to Philip the Handsome (Philip I of Castile) in 1496 to secure an alliance between Spain and Habsburg-controlled lands. They had six children, including:
Upon the death of her mother in 1504, Joanna became the Queen of Castile. However, her father Ferdinand II of Aragon and her husband Philip I co-ruled as regents due to concerns about Joanna's mental health. After Philip's death in 1506, Joanna's mental state deteriorated further, and her father continued to govern Castile until his death in 1516.
Joanna's reign was fraught with political intrigue. Her father, brother-in-law, and later her son Charles V, all sought to keep her from ruling effectively, leading to her confinement at Tordesillas, where she spent the last 46 years of her life.
The question of Joanna's mental health has been widely debated. Historians have suggested that her behavior might have been exaggerated or misinterpreted by those who sought to control her power. Her portrayal as "mad" has been critiqued as a means to undermine her legitimacy as a ruler. Despite this, Joanna's legacy includes her significant contribution to the Habsburg dynasty through her children.
Joanna died on April 12, 1555, at Tordesillas, outliving her husband and several of her children. Her remains were interred in the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.