Page 28 - All About History - Issue 70-18

SPAIN

Hall of Fame

SUPERSPANIARDS

Meet ten of Spain’s most iconic figures, from mighty monarchs who built

an empire to some of the biggest names in art and literature

EL CID C. 1043 1099

El Cid was a Castilian military leader and
nobleman who fought for both Christian
and Muslim leaders – effectively becoming a
mercenary – and was celebrated for his prowess
on the battlefield. In 1094, El Cid defeated the
powerful Almoravids to become the ruler of
Valencia and a hero of the Reconquista. Since his
death, El Cid’s legend has continued to grow, most
El Cid is considered a
notably due to the 12th century epic poem The national hero in Spain
Song Of The Cid.

OF
QUEEN ISABELLA I CASTILE 1451 1504

To say that Isabella
achieved a lot during
Queen
her reign is an
Isabella was
understatement. Queen a force to
of Castile through her be reckoned
with
own right, she also
became the queen
consort of Aragon
through her marriage
to King Ferdinand II –
their union joined the
two kingdoms together
Isidore was officially
canonised as a saint in 1598 and paved the way for
the unification of Spain
under their grandson,
Charles V. Together,
SAINT ISIDORE OF SEVILLE C.560 636 the couple completed

Isidore was raised and educated in Seville and he succeeded the Reconquista, which
his brother, Leander, as bishop of the city following the latter’s had taken almost
death around the year 600. He held this position for over three 800 years, and they
decades, during which time he became financed Christopher
noted for his intellectual skills. Colombus’s 1492
Isidore famously spent the Isidore was voyage to the New
last two decades of his life nominated as the World, leading to
compiling the Etymologies, an the creation of the
encyclopaedia of knowledge patron saint of the Spanish Empire.
collected from hundreds of internet by the late Pope In Castile, Isabella
classical sources. Comprised John Paul II, although dealt with the large
of 20 volumes and divided debts incurred by
by subject, it covers a wide the Vatican has not her half-brother,
range of topics from animals made this official King Henry IV, as
and cities to lore of the late well as reorganising
classical world. It was the most yet the government and
used textbook in the Middle Ages. reducing the crime rate.

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