If criticism maintains that this benevolent government degenerated into despotism during the sixteenth century, while Spain became the tool and purse of imperial ambitions, it should be remembered that neither Castilian Queen nor Aragonese King could have fought the evils they found successfully with any other weapon than their own supremacy, nor is it fair to hold them responsible for the tyranny of their successors. Ferdinand indeed may be blamed for yielding to the lure of an Italian kingdom; but even his astuteness could not have foreseen the successive deaths that finally secured the Spanish Crown for a Hapsburg and an Emperor. These were the tricks of Fortune, who according to Machiavelli is “the mistress of one-half our actions.” The other half is in human reckoning; and Isabel in her sincerity and strength shaped the destiny of Castile as far as in her lay with the instinct of a true ruler. “It appeared the hand of God was with her,” says the historian, Florez, “because she was very fortunate in those things that she undertook.” APPENDIX I HOUSE OF TRASTAMARA IN CASTILE AND ARAGON John I. of Castile = Eleanor of Aragon | +--------------------+-------------------+ | | Henry III. = Catherine, dau. Ferdinand of Castile of John of Gaunt k. of Aragon, | | | +--------------------------+---------+ | | | John II. = Mary John II. 1406–1454 Joanna (2) = of Aragon = (1) Blanche, | Enriquez | 1458–1479 | Queen of | | | | Navarre | | +--+-------+---+-------+ +------------------+----------+---+ +-----------+ | | | | | | | | | | Henry IV. Alfonso Isabel = Ferdinand Charles Blanche Eleanor of Castile d. 1468 of Castile | of Aragon of Viana m. Henry IV. m. Gaston, 1454–1474 1474–1504 | 1479–1516 d. 1461 of Castile, Count of Foix m. (1) Blanche | d. 1464 d. 1479 | of Navarre; +---------------+---+---------+------------+--------------+ +----+----------+ (2) Joanna of | | | | | | |