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Devoted wife and mother Isabel was a devoted wife to her husband Ferdinand from their wedding in 1569 through to her death in 1504. Ferdinand himself was not always faithful. Isabel carried the hurt and forgave him. Her loyalty came long before much of the Church’s teaching on marriage was codified. Before her death Isabel ordered her body be buried in the Alhambra in Granada, but also ordered that if her husband the King were to choose a different church or monastery within Spain for his own burial place, then she wanted her body to be moved next to his. Isabel was also a devoted mother to their five children, taking great care that the children received a strong education. For example, Isabel’s daughter Catalina was proficient on the harp and clavichord; she was learned in philosophy, literature and religion, and spoke Latin, Castillan, French, English and German. Queen Isabel’s maternal love was demonstrated dramatically in August 1476 when her five-year-old daughter fell into danger, being imprisoned by rebels in the Alcázar in Segovia. Queen Isabel rode with only three companions right into and through the hostile and threatening mob outside to secure the safety of her child. Her courage placated the mob and her openness to their grievances won them over completely. |