latristereina: Isabel’s jealousy usually leads to a discussion about the temperament and the c
latristereina:Isabel’s jealousy usually leads to a discussion about the temperament and the conduct of her husband, Fernando de Aragón. In effect, prominent historians, such as J. Vicens Vives, recognize that ‘his sensuality was open, without moral concerns, in spite of his deep-rooted religious beliefs’. There is no doubt; in those times loose morals and attitudes were commonplace. The moral and sexual overtolerance was well known in the so-called ‘bastard era’, and also that ethical training was not as strict with men as it was with women. Thus it is easier to understand that Fernando would have children out of wedlock. Let’s not forget the circumstances in which the couple got married, and the existential situations when they had to live separately for a long time. The reader should take a look at the correspondence exchanged between them ever since the battle for the throne began. Fernando’s letters are torrid:[…] I think that if I were in hell, I would suffer much less than I do now, and so many times I wish death upon myself that I think I may fulfill my thoughts, I do not know why our Lord gave me so much good and so little time to enjoy it…The reader should not take these letters for rhetoric or flirtatious remarks. They expressed red-hot passion, stoked by the separation and a lot of strain, connected to the battle over succession in the kingdom. The remedy was for them to live together…[…] because in getting together we help each other more than anything in life, and now is the time that all our power should be jointly exerted.In sum, and as a conclusion, yes, Isabel was jealous, and Fernando had sexual relations out of wedlock, however, we can still truthfully speak of the profound union of both monarchs. They never liked to flaunt their intimacy, but neither did they hide the profound union of their lives, the criteria in their family life, and the government of their kingdoms. The contemporary testimonies are plentiful.- Tarsicio de Azcona, Isabel la Católica: vida y reinado -- source link
#isabel tve#history#15th century#16th century