Why Joanna of Castile Wasn't Really Insane - PART 1 | Joanna of Castile | Philip The Fair

Joanna of Castile has gone down in history as 'the Mad'. known for her apparent bouts of mental instability, and therefore unable to rule in her own right as Queen of Castile of Leon. But is that actually the truth? Or, was the politically unqualified and naïve Joanna a victim of a controlling husband, and two men who wanted her kingdom for themselves? This video looks at the evidence uncovered in recent years for Joanna's story, and dives into what the truth might really be...
**NOTE: I've made an error in stating that Juan died of a horse-riding accident, when in fact he died of an unknown illness. It was Afonso of Portugal who died when thrown from his horse (Princess Isabella's husband). Apologies, and thank you to the viewer who spotted it! I've now edited that bit out. **
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Sources and related books:
Sister Queens: Katherine of Aragon and Juana Queen of Castile by Julia Fox - amzn.to/3A6BX9W
Juana the Mad: Sovereignty and Dynasty in Renaissance Europe by Bethany Aram - amzn.to/3A6BXXu
Juana I: Legitimacy and Conflict in Sixteenth-Century Castile by Gillian B. Fleming - amzn.to/3L2tOty
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[@HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thank you for watching! And keep an eye out for Part 2, next Sunday! 😊 Also, apologies for the sound; some teething problems with a new setup that should be fixed by next week. 😅

[@savagedarksider2147]

Jonna wasn't mad; her husband and father just wanted the throne.

[@Laramaria2]

To me, she sounds like someone who was in desperate need for help and care but found nothing but mistreatment and abuse!

[@mariagordanier3404]

She seems to have been independent and thought for herself. Still qualities not appreciated by all men today. I feel very bad for her. She deserved appreciation she did not get. Thanks so much for this video.

[@OfficeSpace2909]

The political avarice that came from both her, sadly, husband and father is indicative of how the establishment favored the men despite the strong claim and right that a woman might have to ruling a kingdom. That is, actually, one of the reasons why Queen Elizabeth I of England made it her lifetime’s mission to stay single despite the ongoing pressure from an all-male dominated parliament and the men of influence in her court. Marriage for a regnant Queen was a means of compromising her base of political power since her husband was typically seen as being the superior partner in the marriage despite his spouse’s superior title as Queen. Really terrible times to be a woman in that era, even if you were a regnant Queen in your own right.

[@melenatorr]

Small correction: Juan didn't die from a horse riding accident: he died of an unspecified illness which was attributed to an excess of passion during his marriage. There was a horse-riding death in the family, but the victim was prince Afonso of Portugal, first husband of Juana's sister Isabel (the husband whose death you mention young Isabel was mourning. She married his brother Manuel. After young Isabel's death, Manuel married Juana's other sister, Maria. After the death of Maria, he married Juana's daughter Catalina.

[@noctoi]

Worth remembering that parents can be abusive AND shower their kids in "love" and gifts. THese are not mutually exclusive, especially in families steeped in religious zealotry.

[@juneroberts5305]

I think she was severely depressed, and frustrated beyond comprehension. She probably acted out because of the frustration. No-one listened, and no-one cared. Enough to make anyone 'mad'.

[@Isabella2335.]

Joanna wasn’t mad . Her father and her husband wanted her throne for themselves. She spent half a century locked up because of them ..

[@iamauntmeem]

Such a sad situation. To be used by her husband and then her own father is a tragedy all in the name of power. If all that met and spoke with her said she was quite normal I think she was. What a horrible plot by the men she loved.

[@blor3664]

Her situation feels like Britney Spears' situation. She was abused and use for her power.

[@maryellencook9528]

Ferdinand was a real jerk to his daughters. Charles V wasn't much better towards his mother, either.

[@chicagogyrl4846]

Her kids Ferdinand and Mary married another brother and sister duo - Anna and Louie, marrying 1 year apart! And, Phillip’s sister Margaret married Joanna’s brother John, at around the same time that Joanna and Phillip were married!! 😂🤣

[@paden1865able]

Back in that time, any woman with a mind and will of her own was considered mad. Add an education and they were considered maniacs. After the stories of what she was put through, ot wouldn't be surprising if she had been driven crazy. Somehow, I don't think she was but I do think that she was a victim of men who desperately desired power no matter how they got it or who they had to trample over.

[@rachaelmaldonado2269]

I think its very possible her mom did torment her for religion. Plenty of parents still do so. Her mother was a fanatic and religion was arguably the most important thing

[@thesolitarymage5995]

Despite of her condition she managed to raised her daughter Catherine of Austria very well. Catherine of Austria was also named after her aunt Catherine of Aragon.

[@Kirsten_is_cursed10]

It’s almost like they realized girls were good at math and science and tried to hid that 😅

[@kellyelliott2915]

Catherine was queen of England, not Austria

[@jbos5107]

Thank you so much for the deep dive into the life of Joanna. I look forward to part two. Most of the history videos that I've watched about her have really over simplified her story. I'm definitely subscribing and turning on notifications.

[@anamariaclaragrama-asztalo5562]

Wasn't mad mad and huby and father were bastards, maybe mum sort of too rigid in her education but admittedly she was a few biscuits short of a packet. And I am sorry for her but not for her parents the makers of the Spanish Inquisition.Maybe cause of some curses all of their children had such terrible faiths.