I The King

I THE KING
A NEW PLAY ABOUT FERDINAND & ISABELLA IN TWO ACTS FOR SIX ACTORS BY MORD BOGIE
Copyright 2003 by Mord Bogie For permissions, please email mord.bogie@gmail.com
To Marjorie Ferguson Bogie Hughel 1900-2000 She read all about the kings and queens of Europe and regarded Ferdinand and Isabella as friends
I would also like to gratefully acknowledge the close assistance and advice of my friends Patrick Pleven and Chiz Schultz
Contents Cover Title Copyright Dedication Acknowledgements Cast Setting Time Act I Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Scene 6 Scene 7 Scene 8 Scene 9 Act II Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 Scene 4 Scene 5 Scene 6 Scene 7 Scene 8 Scene 9 Perspectives
Isabel:
Cast (in order of appearance) Isabella the Catholic (1451-1504), queen of Castile (from 1474) and also her husband Ferdinands kingdom. A light-complexioned redhead of modest height and a tendency to plumpness, she was energetic and devout and widely honored for her beauty and her chastity. Loves fine gowns and jewelry and music of the period. Dominican monk (1420-1498), Isabellas confessor when she was a princess and later the first head of the Spanish Inquisition. Fanatical and fearsome. Wears all-white (or all-black) habit with a hood. Ferdinand the Catholic (1452-1516), king of Aragon (from 1479) and, during the reign of his wife Isabella, Castile. Of average height and strong build, he was vigorous and shrewd and regarded by Machiavelli (a contemporary) as a model prince. In public wears fine robes or coats to command respect. Hieronymite monk (1428-1507) who became Isabellas confessor after her coronation and then the first archbishop of Granada. Forthright and tolerant. Wears plain brown habit without a hood. Joanna the Mad (1479-1555), Ferdinand and Isabellas third child and second daughter who became queen of Castile after her mothers death. She lived (and reigned after a fashion) in secluded madness after her husband (Philip I of Castile) died in 1506. Observant Franciscan monk (1436-1517) who succeeded Talavera as Isabellas confessor and became the head of the Castilian church. Zealous and resolute and also brash. Dresses as a mendicant friar in gray (undyed) sackcloth habit, bareheaded and often barefoot.
Torquemada:
Fernando:
Talavera:
Juana:
Cisneros:
Setting Interior room in various castles and residences plus (in one scene) a battlefield tent and (in another) a ship cabin within the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon in what is now Spain when the kingdoms did not have a permanent capital and the court of Ferdinand and Isabella was itinerant. A minimal (unit) set is envisioned with no more furniture (table, chairs, etc.) than needed. It might be useful to project a map of the Iberian Peninsula circa 1480 outlining the kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, Moorish Granada (part of Castile reconquered during Act I) and Portugal. The map would be displayed before the play begins and again (possibly with Moorish Granada now an indistinguishable part of Castile) during the intermission. Time 1467-1507 as the Middle Ages ended and the Spanish Renaissance began.
I the King
I-1
ACT I
SCENE 1 (Morning in a chapel in ISABELs familys castle in Castile, fall of 1467. ISABEL, a 16-year-old Castilian princess, is kneeling in confession, illuminated by a shaft of sunlight. Standing over her is a hooded TORQUEMADA, who is in his late forties.) My child, you have to say it out loud. I promise I make this sacred promise. I make this sacred promise To? I make this sacred promise to God What do you promise? What you told me. He has to hear it from your lips.
ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA
I the King
ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL
I-1
I make this sacred promise to God
If by your holy grace I am crowned queen of Castile. How could I be crowned queen, Father? By Gods will, of course. But my little brothers the heir. He is now. What do you mean? Dont you want to be queen? I dont want anything to happen to him. If called, will you accept?
ISABEL
TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA
TORQUEMADA ISABEL
Hes so funny. We were racing our horses this morning. When I beat him again, he ran off and covered his face with mud.
TORQUEMADA
Is your brother devout? You know. Why? Think, Isabel. He wouldnt promise?
ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL
Would God choose a king or queen who refused to make a simple commitment? He will. Besides, my older brothers only in his forties.
I the King
TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL
I-1
You mean the king your half-brother. But he has many enemies. His is a very licentious reign.
Why do men fight wars over who rules a kingdom if God makes the choice? To decide whos strong enough to defend it. God doesnt favor weakness. Shall we get back to his business? Doesnt God know whos strong enough? I make this sacred promise. I make this sacred promise to God Go on.
ISABEL TORQUEMADA
If by your holy grace I am crowned queen of Castile, I will dedicate myself to the elimination of heresy. Everywhere in my kingdom. Does that include the Moors? Everywhere in my kingdom. Our stable boys are Moors. Have they been baptized? I dont know.
TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL
I the King
TORQUEMADA
I-1
Heretics are baptized Christians who betray God not infidels who have never been exposed to his mercy. Like traitors?
ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL
Traitors who will burn in hell because theyve undermined the Holy Catholic Church. The Church? Or God? The Church is Gods ministry on earth, Isabel. To betray one is to betray the other. Now will you recite your promise all the way through? Clearly so God will not misunderstand you.
ISABEL (unsteadily) I make this sacred promise to God. If by your holy grace I am crowned queen of Castile, I will dedicate myself to the elimination of heresy everywhere in my kingdom. For the everlasting glory of the holy Catholic faith. TORQUEMADA
Perfect. Now I feel like a traitor. To the king?
My little brother. Im responsible for him. You must trust in God, Isabel. I always try to I really do.
TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA
Dont forget your promise. He surely wont And neither will I.

(BLACKOUT)
I the King
I-2
SCENE 2 (Evening in an apartment in a castle in a Castilian city, two years later. Crowd noise offstage. ISABEL, now 18, is scrutinizing the crowd from her window. Suddenly she picks out one person and points to him.)
ISABEL (shouting)
It is he! It is he! Bring him to me at once. Archbishop, hes here. (Presently FERNANDO enters. He is 17. He and his clothes are filthy.) My Lady, you summoned me?
FERNANDO ISABEL
I summoned my lord Prince Fernando, heir to the noble Spanish kingdom of Aragon. Are you that prince? For what purpose does My Lady summon the prince?
ISABEL FERNANDO
He is to marry me and I want to meet him now. You are not he? May I know who My Lady is whom the prince is to marry? Im Princess Isabel, heir to the holy Spanish kingdom of Castile. No one told you? No. Though I suspected as much. How? Weve never seen each other.
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL ISABEL FERNANDO
My father told me to seek the fairest maid in Castile. Who is your father?
I the King
FERNANDO ISABEL (catching on) FERNANDO
I-2
The King of Aragon. Am Im the maid you seek?
I believe so. Though in truth I cant be certain until Ive inspected all the other maids in Castile. I can be certain youre the dirtiest man in Castile. Muleteers always look like this. Youre a muleteer as well as a prince? In your service, My Lady.
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL ISABEL
FERNANDO
Should I need only the former, will you continue in my service? As long as I serve the fairest maid in Castile.
FERNANDO ISABEL
Alas, I dont intend to remain that much longer. The weddings five days hence. Not till then? Ive been on the road a whole week. What took so long?
ISABEL FERNANDO FERNANDO
We traveled only at night so we wouldnt be seen. Except one of your guards threw down a stone and nearly broke my skull. He didnt know princes of Aragon dress like muleteers. Im also heir to the throne of Castile. Really? Shall we joust for it?
FERNANDO ISABEL ISABEL
I the King
FERNANDO ISABEL
I-2
Now?
Or would you like to rest first? Have something to eat? I was thinking you might give me a bath. Then we can have something to eat and discuss our rights in bed.
ISABEL FERNANDO
Theres one difficulty. I brought the dispensation. Since were second cousins. Your archbishop Carrillo has it. Thats the difficulty. Its signed by the pope. See for yourself.
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO
Archbishop Carrillo wont let me do anything that might keep me from inheriting the crown. Ill have a word with him. He never lets me out of his sight. Thats my responsibility now. He also has more men than you. We really have to wait till Wednesday?
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
Actually Thursday. Thats the church wedding. Ill just have to go into town with my men.
FERNANDO ISABEL
Ill lock you in the dungeon first. I know your reputation. What reputation?
FERNANDO
I the King
ISABEL
I-2
Lets say youve seen much but studied little. But I can read and write.
FERNANDO ISABEL
Your father raised you as a knight. Needed you to defend his kingdom from the French. He still does. How did you father raise you?
FERNANDO ISABEL
He died when I was three. Then my mother went mad. So no one paid any attention to me until my little brother died and I became the heir. Even your king?
FERNANDO ISABEL
The king has many enemies, so he kept trying to marry me off to someone who would fight for him. Starting with the king of Portugal. I was eleven years old.
FERNANDO
And you refused him? Your king and the king of Portugal? He was an old man old enough to be my father. All my suitors were. Im not.
I know. How do you feel about marrying an older woman? Youre only ten and a half months older.
FERNANDO ISABEL
But pretty headstrong. Ill be queen proprietress. Meaning?
FERNANDO ISABEL
Youll be king of Castile because Im queen. Well see about that. I have my own claim.
FERNANDO
I the King
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO
I-2
You said. My fathers the nearest heir. Im the nearest heir. Youre a girl. Youre in Castile. So? Women can inherit the crown. Who told you that? Alfonso the Wise. Who?
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
My ancestor, King Alfonso the Wise. He compiled our laws. If you want to be king, you have to marry me or slay me.
FERNANDO
Ill have to give that some thought. If you had the best claim, why did you sneak down here at night disguised as a muleteer? To protect you. Your king hasnt consented to our marriage. He doesnt think Aragon would fight for him.
Since youre in danger, why dont we get married now? Archbishop Carrillo wants to discuss our marriage contract with you.
ISABEL
FERNANDO
I the King
FERNANDO
I-2
Carrillo again. Why cant we just get married? Why do I have to agree to spend so many days a year in Castile? Hes the leader of our church. He has to protect Castile and me till death do us part. Ill protect Castile and you all by myself. My warrior prince. I dont need any archbishops.
FERNANDO FERNANDO ISABEL ISABEL
(FERNANDO has moved close.) You dont smell like a mule.

Someone else took care of them. I slept in the wagon. But you do smell. If we get rid of Carrillo What will I tell my confessor? Why tell him anything?
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
Cant just kneel there without saying something. Then dont go. Not your hands!
FERNANDO ISABEL
(ISABEL pushes FERNANDO back.) Youve got me now.

FERNANDO
I the King
I-2
My poor gown Ill take care of you.
I hope so. What do you want to do when were king and queen? Have lots of princes and princesses. Is that all? Why? What do you want to do?
Make a peaceful kingdom. Dedicated to God. Where our subjects live in safety and justice.
FERNANDO
Actually, I want to unite Aragon and Castile into one Spanish kingdom that our son will inherit. Our son? Women cant inherit the crown in Aragon. Im glad Castile is my kingdom.
Castile is much bigger, of course, but Aragon has more experience. Aragonese have been sailing the Mediterranean for generations. Castilians have been fighting the Moors for generations. You had weak kings. They never finished the reconquest of your kingdom. They got most of it back. But not Granada
ISABEL FERNANDO FERNANDO ISABEL
I the King
ISABEL FERNANDO
I-2
So our son wont be king of Granada?
No, I want to recreate Spain as it was eight hundred years ago before the Moors conquered it. Except Portugals a separate kingdom now. But we could have our daughter marry their king. Our daughter? Am I going too fast? What about the Moors in Granada?
Granada is part of Castile. If the Moors wont accept us as their king and queen, well have to reconquer it by force of arms. Thats what I hoped youd say.
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO
Then Spain will be unified once more. Our peaceful kingdom. Dedicated to God.
But ruled by us. No bishops or priests telling us what to do. Well need spiritual advisors.
My father and I havent needed them in Aragon. But Castile is a Christian kingdom. When Im queen And Im king.
queen proprietress, Ill be responsible for the spiritual well-being of my subjects. Thats the churchs responsibility. Corrupt as it is
FERNANDO
I the King
ISABEL
I-2
Thats why I need someone to advise me. Help me reform the church. Ill advise you. Well reform the church together.
FERNANDO ISABEL
How will we know what to do? Were not holy men. Were not learned in Gods mysteries. We dont know anything about his church.
FERNANDO
Neither do holy men. I cant do it by myself, Fernando. How would I know if I was sinning through ignorance? I need their faith. Their knowledge of God. I have to have a spiritual advisor I really do. If He cant meddle in affairs of state. He wont.
Hell only advise you. He wont make policy. Well make policy. Together. Just the two of us. Promise? I do. Promise youll love me? I love you now. I mean forever. I will. Wont be a royal wedding. No dowry?
I the King
I-2
No money. Do you mind?
Not if you dont. How many children do you want? I dont know. None until were married.
All right. Just one kiss. Then Ill go join my men. Dont you dare. Ill be back by Wednesday. Archbishop hes leaving.
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO
ISABEL (calling)
(FERNANDO runs off the way he came in. ISABEL chases after him.)
I the King
I-3
SCENE 3 (Afternoon in the throne room of ISABELs familys castle, late in 1474. Trumpets sound offstage.) Castile, Castile for the queen and proprietress, Doa Isabel, and Castile for the king and her lawful husband, Don Fernando. Long live Queen Isabel. Long live King Fernando. (Roar of crowd approval followed by ringing of church bells and firing of cannons.) (Presently ISABEL, now 23, runs in wearing a silver crown and falls to her knees before the audience.) To you, Lord, in whose hands is the right of kings and queens, I humbly pray that you may hear the prayer of your servant and show me the truth by manifesting your will through your wonderful deeds. If I am not in the right, do not let me sin through ignorance. But if my cause be just, give me zeal and strength to accomplish it with the help of your grace. (ISABEL rises and looks around, perhaps hugging herself to express a momentary feeling of vulnerability without FERNANDO.) (TORQUEMADA enters.)
ISABEL (cont.) ISABEL VOICE OF A HERALD (offstage)
It really happened, Father. I cant believe it. You should be awed by Gods will, Isabel Please call me your highness. But never surprised Your Highness. (TALAVERA appears. Hes in his mid-forties, some eight years younger than TORQUEMADA.)
TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA
I the King
TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL
I-3
Your Highness? Yes?
I was told you were seeking a confessor. Am I interrupting? No, come in. (TALAVERA enters.) Im Brother Talavera. Torquemada.
TALAVERA TORQUEMADA ISABEL
Excuse me. I have to catch my breath. Ive just been crowned queen of Castile. Yes, I saw it. Was I Regal? Yes, thats what I meant. Very much so. My crown was straight? Perfect.
ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA
When I bowed my head I thought it was going to fall off. People were wondering about Don Fernando. Was he there?
TALAVERA
I the King
ISABEL
I-3
Hes in Aragon presiding over their parliament. But I didnt want to wait. Things are so unsettled. The death of the king was very sudden. Are you also seeking a spiritual advisor? (ISABEL and TORQUEMADA exchange glances. Then TORQUEMADA turns and goes off.) Confessor and spiritual advisor both. My faith has always been a source of strength to me, but now Im going to need it more than ever. The Dominican who just left
TALAVERA ISABEL ISABEL TALAVERA
A very holy priest but not well educated. I understand you have a baccalaureate? Theology. Would I also serve the king?
TALAVERA ISABEL
Youll have to ask him. His faith is well, youll see for yourself.
TALAVERA
Not as strong as yours? He says he was put here to negotiate state affairs, not discharge his conscience. Whats the state of his conscience?
TALAVERA ISABEL ISABEL
It could use some help. But Im more worried about my subjects. As queen Im responsible for their well-being. Do you think the church is ministering to them?
TALAVERA
What do you think? I hear of priests whove never read the bible. Is that true? Most of them are illiterate.
TALAVERA ISABEL
I the King
ISABEL
I-3
You dont have to be literate to hold confession. Or preach to people who want to know God. They say some priests dont even live in their parish. Ive heard such complaints.
TALAVERA ISABEL
Bishops spend money on themselves instead of ransoming captives. Or helping the poor.
TALAVERA
If we had men with the proper education Rather than nobles seeking an easy life.
ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL
But isnt the Vatican responsible for appointments?
Thats the problem. Theyre usually choose the highest bidder instead of the most qualified. If they could be persuaded to accept your recommendations Thats what I want to do. You decide whos qualified, and the king and I will refuse to accept anyone else. We could reform the whole church.
TALAVERA ISABEL ISABEL TALAVERA
If we work together. But our court will be moving about the kingdom. Youll have to leave your monastery.
TALAVERA
I brought my things with me. Then you can start right away? As soon as Ive heard your confession. Thats a strange request. A matter of prudence for both of us.
ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA
I the King
ISABEL TALAVERA
I-3
Very well. Shall we do it now? If youre prepared.
(ISABEL kneels. TALAVERA perches on throne chair.) Its customary for both parties to kneel.
ISABEL TALAVERA
As Gods minister, its proper for me to sit while penitents kneel whatever their status in life. Status? Im your queen. And I do not think this is proper. Im sorry. You refuse to kneel with me? Im still Gods minister.
(ISABEL gets up. TALAVERA gets up. ISABEL sits in throne chair TALAVERA was sitting in.) I shall have to think this over.
ISABEL
(TALAVERA nods or bows and goes off.)
I the King
I-4
SCENE 4 (Evening, three weeks later. FERNANDO enters.) My Lord. How Ive missed you. But not enough to wait for me.
Was Castile to wait? While you finished your business in Aragon? When am I to be crowned? You were crowned when I was. As consort? As king. But youre queen proprietress. I was the heir.
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO
Im the heir. Or at least my father is. I should be king proprietor. Weve been through all this.
Besides, youre my wife. Your rights should be subordinate to mine. (TALAVERA starts to enter.)
FERNANDO (cont.)
Whos that?
I the King
ISABEL
I-4
Father Talavera, my new confessor. Yours too if youd like. Just what I need.
FERNANDO ISABEL
A truly holy man, Fernando he never kneels during confession. (waving TALAVERA in) Father, I want to introduce you to my lord the king. Talavera, do you not think it unnatural that a woman should inherit the crown instead of her husband? Not if thats the law of the kingdom.
TALAVERA FERNANDO FERNANDO
What if something should happen to the woman is it not unseemly that their four-yearold daughter would inherit the kingdom? Depose her own father? Nothings going to happen to me.
ISABEL FERNANDO
Even if the king of Portugal claims the crown? He has no claim. He thinks he does. Hes a doddering old fool.
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
Maybe you should have married him after all. What a hurtful thing to say. How do you think I feel?
Youre my king, Fernando. My lord. My husband. I love you.
I the King
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO
I-4
He may be an old fool, but hes about to make war on you. Hell never win. What makes you so sure? God doesnt favor weakness. He has many of your nobles on his side. But I have you.
Wed be fighting to hold onto what we already have. Which means there wouldnt be any spoils of war. Castilians wont fight without spoils. Theyll fight if you lead them. If I lead them.
ISABEL FERNANDO TALAVERA
If I may offer some advice, Don Fernando, I think you should be more fervent in the love you owe your excellent and worthy wife. Even when my excellent and worthy wife has decided Im inferior to her? Not so, My Lord. I can never be king in my own right.
ISABEL FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO
Only a Council of Jurists can change the law of succession. However, should one be convened, what would you say to them? What Isabel said to the town mayors. One of the reasons she married me is if something happened to her, I would have right of succession.
FERNANDO
I the King
TALAVERA
I-4
I suspect the jurists might feel threatened by that statement. Castilians are very suspicious of foreigners. My family is Castilian.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
But youre a prince of Aragon. Your Highness, now that youre queen, how would you address the council? First Id say this to my husband: Considering our love and mutual interests, theres no reason for you to raise this issue. Youre king of Castile and your orders will be obeyed. We will reign jointly, in mutual respect, each equal to the other. Each equal to the other should be the royal motto.
But if the jurists of this council are to decide the issue, any doubts concerning the law of the kingdom should be resolved. It has not yet pleased God to give us an heir other than our daughter, Princess Isabelica. If you, My Lord, insist on succession by men only I most certainly do.
FERNANDO ISABEL
Our daughter might marry an alien prince who as king proprietor could appropriate the great wealth of our kingdom for himself. That would be a disservice to God and the ruin of our heirs and subjects. Compelling argument.
TALAVERA FERNANDO ISABEL
It doesnt matter to either of you that Ill be the jest of every king in Europe. No, you wont, Fernando. Whatever the council decides, Ill sign powers of attorney so you have all the rights I do.
TALAVERA
As you should do when you become king of Aragon. Except Aragon will never accept our daughter as heir. Then go sire a male heir.
TALAVERA FERNANDO
I the King
FERNANDO ISABEL
I-4
Men dont determine the sex of their children. Not that you would know ... But I do. Thank you, Father, for your wise counsel. Try a woman as pope sometime.
FERNANDO
(TALAVERA goes off.) You might learn something. Come, Fernando. Its late. Youve had a hard journey. (ISABEL leads FERNANDO off.)
ISABEL
I the King
I-5
SCENE 5 (Meeting room of a castle in Seville, fall of 1480. Chairs for the king and queen and a desk or table. ISABEL and FERNANDO, in their late twenties, enter talking about their young son and younger daughter.) Juanas going to walk soon. Watching her big brother. Hes quite a show-off. Juan is her prince ideal.
(TORQUEMADA and TALAVERA enter as ISABEL waves them in.) Whos to go first?
TORQUEMADA (to ISABEL) Three years ago I reported that baptized Jews in Seville the people they call conversos continue to perform their old Jewish rituals. FERNANDO
Most conversos were baptized when they were born. This heresy has infected your entire kingdom. Some ancestor converted from Judaism.
TORQUEMADA FERNANDO
Since it is practiced secretly, the only way to eliminate it is by inquisition. The only rituals they know are Christian. Your Highness, God is waiting.
FERNANDO
TORQUEMADA
TORQUEMADA
I the King
ISABEL
I-5
Father Talavera, tell us about your mission to Seville. Did you find conversos practicing Jewish rituals? Most conversos are good Christians. But since I dont know how they behave in private, I teach them never to be a source of scandal. Meaning?
ISABEL TALAVERA TALAVERA
Even if they bear the seed of Judaism in their heart, they must conform to Christian ways of dressing, shaving, preparing their food, et cetera. A Catholic body cannot survive bearing the seed of Judaism. But teaching and charity can change their ways.
TALAVERA TORQUEMADA
Teaching and charity induce lies. Truth is exacted by inquisition and torture. Can we discuss this in private? Only confession produces change.
FERNANDO TORQUEMADA ISABEL
TORQUEMADA
Thank you, Fathers. If you could leave us alone (TORQUEMADA and TALAVERA move away or off.) Dominicans They call any Christian with Jewish blood a converso. Thats half the kingdom. How many can be practicing Jewish rituals? Thats what the inquisition is to determine. We have conversos in our service. Which ones are heretics.
ISABEL FERNANDO
FERNANDO ISABEL
I the King
FERNANDO
I-5
Jews too, for that matter. Havent they served us well? (FERNANDO has picked up a proclamation and is looking at it.) If you appoint Dominicans as inquisitors Dominicans are the defenders of the faith.
ISABEL
I know Torquemada was your confessor, but I dont trust him. And neither do the conversos. If theyre good Christians
ISABEL FERNANDO
FERNANDO
Suppose someone swears they overheard me praying for the return of the Jewish messiah. They throw me in prison, confiscate my property, but wont tell me who my accuser is. How can I prove Im a good Christian? Swear the accusation is false. Produce your own witnesses. Witnesses to what I never did? It will drive the conversos away, Isabel. The traders, merchants, money men. Who will replace them? What would you do?
Not let a handful of fanatics undermine our authority. It took us five years to defeat the Portuguese. Rein in the nobles. Rid the country of bandits. Five years to secure your crown. Our crown.
ISABEL FERNANDO
I dont want Torquemada destroying what we accomplished in the name of suppressing heresy. Do you? I agree, Fernando. The crown is secure. Our kingdom at peace. Thanks to you.
ISABEL
I the King
FERNANDO
I-5
Me? Who rode for three days to tell the Knights of Santiago to elect their king as their master? Im still amazed they did it. So are the Knights of Santiago. But theres one task remaining. The reconquest of Granada.
FERNANDO ISABEL ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
Before the Turks reach our shores. And join hands with the Moors. Itll be a lot harder than the Portuguese. Moors are holy warriors, defenders of Islam. Castilians are brave enough, but theyve never learned to hold their shields together.
ISABEL FERNANDO
Thats because every Castilian is a man standing alone. An adventurer, a poet and the equal, so he believes, of anyone alive. Including his king and queen. Particularly his king.
FERNANDO ISABEL
But theyre very sensuous about their faith. Theyll hold their shields together if theyre defending Christianity. Then we have to make it a crusade.
FERNANDO ISABEL
Exactly. A crusade against all enemies of God within our kingdom infidels and heretics alike. Forget the heretics theyre arent that many. But they are a lot of Moors. A Catholic body cannot survive bearing the seed of heresy. What Catholic body?
I the King
ISABEL
I-5
Our kingdom. Our crusade. We cant fight a holy war in Granada while apostates in Seville are undermining our faith. Undermining the church maybe. The Vaticans authority. How do they undermine our faith? Look what happened to the poor people of Constantinople. Werent they good Christians?
FERNANDO ISABEL ISABEL FERNANDO
They cut themselves off from the Holy Catholic Church. Thats why they were defeated by the Turks?
FERNANDO ISABEL
I have to do this, Fernando the inquisition.
(holding out the proclamation) If you love me, youll understand.

FERNANDO (reluctantly)
I love you But I dont understand.

ISABEL
If you want to cross out Aragon No.

FERNANDO
(FERNANDO takes the proclamation and signs it without making any changes.) We promised each other wed create one kingdom.
FERNANDO (cont.)
(ISABEL summons TORQUEMADA and TALAVERA. After adding her signature to the proclamation, she hands it to TORQUEMADA and goes off with FERNANDO.) (As TALAVERA watches, TORQUEMADA scans the proclamation and then proclaims it to the audience.)
I the King
TORQUEMADA
I-5
Being ever zealous for our Catholic faith and seeking to protect our subjects against evil, we the said Fernando and Isabel, King and Queen of Castile and Aragon, do accept the holy commission granted by Pope Sixtus the Fourth and do appoint Juan de San Martin and Miguel de Morillo, venerable fathers of the Dominican order, as Inquisitors of our realm. And we do order the Inquisitors to diligently investigate and punish all Christians in name and appearance who, after being baptized, did abandon the true faith and practice the rites and rituals of the Jewish superstition. Proclaimed this twenty-seventh day of September in the year of Our Lord one thousand four hundred and eighty. Signed I the King, Fernando. Signed I the Queen, Isabel. (TORQUEMADA goes off followed by TALAVERA.)
I the King
I-6
SCENE 6 (Moonlit night. A large battle tent on the front lines of the war against the Moors during November 1491.) (Offstage, ISABEL screams. Then, further away, shouts of Moors. FERNANDO rushes in, sword in hand, as ISABEL, who is now 40, appears.) What happened? I woke up screaming again. The sentries thought youd been attacked. Its always the same dream. How are the children? Still sleeping. Will this war never end?
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
Soon if we can get the Moors to surrender. After ten years of slaughter?
Go back to Seville, Isabel. Go back to the court. Its not safe here. Without you? You know I cant leave.
FERNANDO
You have generals. The Great Captain can lead the army.
I the King
I-6
The Moors have to see me out front if theyre going to accept me as their king. No ones ever doubted your courage.
Remember that first battle against the Portuguese? They retreated inside the castle and I didnt have any siege equipment? You were furious.
ISABEL
I was worried. Accused me of cowardice. In front of my men. You know I didnt believe it.
But I had to make sure my men didnt believe it. And the Moors are no different. They have to accept me as their queen.
They will. When we walk arm-in-arm through the streets of Granada Besides, Im your quartermaster.
At least send the children back before they start having their own nightmares. You dont have nightmares? Im a soldier. You were nearly killed.
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO
You mean that first attack? Ten years ago? You never even told me about it. It never happened again.
I the King
ISABEL
I-6
I had to hear it from the Marquis of Cadiz. He said hed saved you from being decapitated. All I could think about was four children nearly lost their father that day. And thats what you dream about?
FERNANDO ISABEL
Only its night. A moonless night. Youre stretched out on the ground. Im kneeling beside you, groping for your face. If I can touch your lips, I know youll move them. Kiss my fingers. Whisper something. Thatll convince them youre still alive.
FERNANDO
Am I? Juan is trying to tell me something. I shush him. Hes all right, Angel. My fingers have just found your neck when I hear him sob. Mama, he says, what happened to his head? And thats when you wake up screaming? Its a dirty war, Isabel. Moors dont practice chivalry. Its a holy war.
Ive never understood them. The one with the scimitar his face was triumphant. A head to hang from his saddle. And then he hesitated. Just long enough for Cadiz to spoil his aim. Why?
ISABEL FERNANDO
I dont know. Maybe he needed permission. My father always told me to ask the Virgins blessing before battle. While I still had time. So you didnt hesitate?
ISABEL FERNANDO
I gave him a chance, but he wouldnt take it. Do you think Muslims believe in patron saints? Father Talavera would know.
ISABEL FERNANDO
We have to let them keep their religion, Isabel.
I the King
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
I-6
Keep their religion? Why? If they lay down their arms and surrender. Thats not what we said. It could be over in a few weeks.
We told everyone wed dedicate our kingdom to God. Expel all enemies of the faith. Why do they have to be enemies? When Aragon reconquered its kingdom, they let the Moors keep their mosques, their laws, farms. Even their weapons. Shouldnt we ask
ISABEL FERNANDO FERNANDO
Your confessors? Talavera will agree, but if you make him the archbishop hell want to keep the inquisition out of Granada. Which Father Torquemada will object to.
ISABEL
Of course. Hell ask who won the war. Which clearly we did since the Moors are our subjects. But hell say God didnt win. And Ill say, Maybe your God You will not.
ISABEL FERNANDO
FERNANDO
I know hes got his quest. Hates the Jews, but the inquisition cant get at them because theyre not Christians and therefore not heretics. So he drafted this proclamation for us that Jews have to convert or leave the kingdom. But if we let the Moors stay, how can we expel the Jews? How can we?
Right now all I can think about is my quest finishing the war. As soon I can. Do what you have to, Fernando. Youre in charge. Just get it over with.
I the King
FERNANDO
I-6
Then go pack up the children. Theyre going back to Seville with or without you. (As ISABEL goes off, TORQUEMADA enters from another direction holding a proclamation.) Your Highness
TORQUEMADA (to FERNANDO)
(FERNANDO brushes past him and goes off. TORQUEMADA looks around for ISABEL, then goes off the way he came in.)
I the King
I-7
SCENE 7 (Afternoon in a hall of the Alhambra [Red Palace] of Granada, four months later. FERNANDO and ISABEL walk in with TALAVERA.) I never imagined anything could be so magnificent. Moors say Granada is the greatest city in Islam.
Our palaces are poorhouses compared to the Alhambra. I like the baths. Almost sinful, arent they?
Not to a soldier. Talavera, tell me again. What did your commission decide about the Enterprise of the Indies? Its impossible. Why?
TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA
Cristoforo Colombo thinks he can sail to the Orient in a few weeks. We doubt it could be done in less than three years. Based on Saint Augustine.
FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO
Did you consider Ptolemy? I read his Geographia several years ago
I the King
TALAVERA
I-7
Whatever we consider, Your Highness, the Ocean Sea will remain Gods mystery. Man cannot fathom it. So its arrogant for Colombo to try?
FERNANDO ISABEL
He was arrogant even with us. Demanding a noble title we were right to refuse him.
FERNANDO
Wheres he going now? Did anyone hear? The king of France.

TALAVERA FERNANDO ISABEL
Really? France? You know, his enterprise wouldnt cost us that much. Admiral of the Ocean Sea? Viceroy and governor of everything he discovers? I meant real costs. A share of all trading revenues?
But wed get rich off the trade instead of Venice. Silks, spices, even gold. He has to have supplies. Pay his crew.
Our treasurer has it all worked out. Shall I have him talk with you? You really think we should do it? Father, would you object too much? I cant recommend the enterprise, but I wont condemn it. Saint Augustine has doubts but not that many.
FERNANDO ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL
We should write him an introduction to the Great Khan of Cathay. Better recall him before he reaches France.
FERNANDO
I the King
ISABEL
I-7
Ill send someone right away. (ISABEL goes off.)
Granada has forty years of immunity from the inquisition. Two generations to become God-fearing Christians. Im most gratified.
TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO
FERNANDO
The more converts you make, the better for all of us. Especially the Moors.
Youre the archbishop. Everyone will be looking to you. (ISABEL returns.) Did I miss anything?
ISABEL FERNANDO
I was about to ask Talavera what he thought of the La Guardia inquisition. (handing TALAVERA a proclamation) And the proclamation Torquemada keeps pestering you to sign. Nasty business. I thought we were done with it.
ISABEL
(TALAVERA is reading the proclamation.) Youre expelling the Jews? Only if they refuse to be baptized. We havent signed the proclamation.
TALAVERA ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
Cant have rioting after every inquisition.
I the King
TALAVERA ISABEL
I-7
The inquisition encourages violence.
We issued safe conducts to the Jews in La Guardia. Are you familiar with that case? But they were not obeyed.
FERNANDO ISABEL TALAVERA
You should talk with Torquemada. Hes the Grand Inquisitor. Id like to hear what you think. Do you know who the accused were? Four brothers who were conversos. They were charged with kidnapping a Christian boy on Good Friday and crucifying him. You mean like Jesus?
ISABEL TALAVERA TALAVERA FERNANDO
They supposedly cut out his heart as part of some ritual to infect Christians with rabies and make them die. Who were the Jews?
FERNANDO TALAVERA
A cobbler and his eighty-year-old father who were accused of participating in the ritual. And they were burned at the stake with the conversos? Indeed they were the first non-Christians condemned by the inquisition. How old was the boy they crucified? About three. Three years old?
ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA FERNANDO
I the King
TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA
I-7
Maybe four. Who were his parents?
Apparently he was an orphan. Never identified by name. Did they find his body? All the graves they dug up were empty.
FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA ISABEL
How do they know he was from La Guardia? Presumably from secret testimony. A nameless child Or confessions under torture. How do they even know it was a boy?
TALAVERA ISABEL FERNANDO
Thats what the Jews are asking themselves. They think the inquisition contrived the whole incident.
ISABEL
Why? Convince us they cant suppress heresy while the Jews are abetting it. We have to expel them. For which they condemned six innocent people? Is that true, Father? More than six. What do you think we should do?
TALAVERA ISABEL ISABEL FERNANDO
I the King
TALAVERA ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
I-7
Whos your confessor now? I havent appointed one yet.
Two rabbis in our service offered thirty thousand ducats. If we let the Jews stay. Maybe we should accept it. What do you think, Father? Thats between you and God, Your Highness.
TALAVERA
Just between us mortals do you think we should expel the Jews? After promising the Moors they can stay?
TALAVERA
FERNANDO
(TORQUEMADA bursts in, pulling his crucifix from around his neck, which he brandishes at FERNANDO.) Judas Iscariot sold Christ for thirty pieces of silver. Your Highness would sell him for thirty thousand ducats. Here he is. Take him and sell him. (TORQUEMADA thrusts his crucifix at FERNANDO, who ignores it, then casts it at ISABELs feet and storms off. ISABEL stares at the crucifix.) My God
ISABEL TORQUEMADA
(As ISABEL starts to collapse, FERNANDO and TALAVERA grab her and help her off.) (Presently TORQUEMADA walks back into the empty room, finds the unsigned proclamation, scans it, and then proclaims it to the audience.)
I the King
TORQUEMADA
I-7
It is well known that in our kingdom there are some bad Christians who have abandoned our holy Catholic faith because of their conversation with Jews. The Inquisition, which we have ordered for twelve years, has shown many such cases of the damage Christians have suffered from these conversations. Therefore, after consultation with the prelates, nobles, and knights of our realm, we have ordered all Jews in whatever condition of life to leave our kingdom no later than the first day of July of this year and never return. Proclaimed this thirty-first day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand four hundred and ninety-two. Signed I the King, Fernando. (TORQUEMADA signs FERNANDOs name.) Signed I the Queen, Isabel.
TORQUEMADA (cont.)
(TORQUEMADA signs ISABELs name, retrieves his crucifix and goes off, leaving the proclamation in full view of the audience.)
I the King
I-8
SCENE 8 (Evening in an apartment in a residence in Barcelona, in the Kingdom of Aragon, later in the year. ISABEL enters reading a letter she has written to TALAVERA.) (TALAVERA enters.) Reverend Father, you got my letter? It was most alarming. Are you all right?
What do you mean? Nothing happened to me. Well, Im here now. Rode as fast as I could.
TALAVERA ISABEL
I cant make a proper confession. Im still too upset. Why dont we just sit and you tell me what happened? The king was nearly assassinated.
ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA
So I understood. Do you know by whom?
One of his own subjects. A peasant named I cant remember now. Its not important.
TALAVERA ISABEL
My lord was leaving the House of Deputies hed been negotiating with the French for the return of Aragons provinces. This maniac sneaked up behind him Take your time.
TALAVERA
I the King
ISABEL
I-8
Plunged a dagger into his neck. Although grievously wounded, my lord shouted Treason until the man was subdued. Then commanded that his life be preserved. The peasants life?
TALAVERA ISABEL
So his motive could be determined. It might have been a conspiracy.

TALAVERA
But wasnt? I rushed to my lords side but couldnt bring myself to look at the wound. The doctors said it was four fingers wide. He must have been trying to cut off his head. The gold chain What about the chain? Id just given it to him. He was wearing it? Saved his life.
ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL
Was the king conscious when you saw him?
No. I had to give permission for the operation. Which was successful?
TALAVERA ISABEL
He improved at first but then was seized by a fever. He was near death for more than a week. You were with him the whole time, of course.
TALAVERA ISABEL
Praying without cease for his recovery. I was overcome seeing him suffer so much. The current festivities suggest your prayers were granted.
TALAVERA
I the King
ISABEL
I-8
Thats for the treaty. The French have just signed it. The king suffered no permanent impairment? He was out riding this afternoon. And there was no conspiracy?
It was determined that the peasant acted alone. He believed the Holy Spirit made him king and required him never to confess. Obviously a heretic.
TALAVERA ISABEL
Although he did finally confess to the priests I sent to him. They told me it was as if he suddenly awoke from a dream and acknowledged the wrongfulness of his deed.
TALAVERA
Had he ever been accused by the inquisition? I dont know. They tortured him in case he was feigning insanity. Then he was dismembered, stoned, and burned to ash. I commanded that he first be garroted. And prayed for his soul. Im most gratified that Don Fernando has recovered. Hes a good Christian and a good king. And a very good husband.
ISABEL TALAVERA TALAVERA ISABEL
But my question to you is, Have you recovered? I told you, Father. I wasnt injured. I wasnt even present. When my lord so needed me You seem to have suffered more. He didnt deserve to suffer at all.
I the King
TALAVERA ISABEL
I-8
But you did?
I believed what my lord and I had accomplished a peaceful kingdom dedicated to God was a very worthy achievement. But Its not so peaceful now?
TALAVERA ISABEL
My heart was too full of pride. I forgot it is only with Gods grace that we kings and queens achieve anything at all. My lord was stabbed as a sign to me. He was stabbed by a lunatic.
TALAVERA ISABEL
I realized how we can die from sudden calamity the same as our subjects. And how unprepared we are for death. Lying next to my lord night after night, listening to him breathe, I had time to consider my own condition. Reverend Father, nobody knows my shortcomings as you do. Possibly.
TALAVERA ISABEL
I need you to make a list of them, beginning with my coronation. So that I may make restitution to those I have wronged. Whos your new confessor? Father Cisneros. The Franciscan?
Though he wants to stay in his monastery. He believes living at court would corrupt him. A very learned man. But considered overly zealous and somewhat lacking in sympathy. I dont need sympathy, Father. I need to get on with what I have to do while I still have time.
ISABEL TALAVERA
I the King
I-8
After defeating the Moors and expelling the Jews They could have converted. Whats left to do?
The monastic orders have strayed far from their rules. Father Cisneros knows how to correct them. Hes already done it in his own monastery But is he the best man to be your confessor?
TALAVERA ISABEL
Of course he doesnt know me as well as you
Some people tend to rely on their confessors more than they should. Hes surely more learned than I in Gods mysteries. But youre more vulnerable. Why do you say that, Father?
TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL ISABEL
TALAVERA
Why do you ask me to make a list of your shortcomings? I told you he doesnt know me as well as you. Will you do this for me? If you insist. Only if I insist?
TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA
Moors need my undivided attention. But I know how easily one loses faith after violence. I nearly lost my husband.
And Cisneros may not be as comforting as you would like
I the King (ISABEL and TALAVERA go off together.)
I-8
I the King
I-9
SCENE 9 (Evening in the royal apartment of a Castilian castle in early 1495, with soft music from a Moorish or Spanish guitar. FERNANDO and ISABEL, both now in their early forties, enter with a chess set preferably one with large pieces that can be struck or kicked or thrown and start setting it up.) Rodrigo Borja wants to revive the Holy League. To reconquer Jerusalem?
To get the French army out of the Vatican. But then it will invade Naples. I wondered why he was being so nice to us. Hes a proper subject of Aragon. Wouldnt be pope but for us. But proclaiming us his Catholic Monarchs Were too young to be saints.
ISABEL FERNANDO
FERNANDO ISABEL
Has a nice sound, dont you think? Isabel the Catholic? Fernando the what are you smiling at? Was I smiling?
FERNANDO ISABEL
I suppose its Aragons time now. Weve done what we promised in Castile. Naples does belong to Aragon.
FERNANDO
I the King
I-9
Except for one little matter Which one is that? It can wait. Does this mean war?
If the French king crowns himself emperor of Naples. Some things cant be negotiated. (FERNANDO and ISABEL start playing.) Great Captain will lead the army? My armor doesnt fit anymore. Its our kingdom. And our pope. Just never mind. I can go ahead and negotiate alliances?
Youre the diplomat of the family. Why? The emperor has a son. Good for the emperor. Archduke of Austria. Familys Austrian. Future Holy Roman emperor.
I the King
I-9
Must be the heir. And only five years older than Juana. Fernando Juanas still a child. I meant in the future.
So only four years younger than Isabelica. I was saving Isabelica for Portugal. May be hard for Juana to leave home. You mean her temperament? Does the emperor have a daughter? Matter of fact he does. What age is she? Same age as Juan. When did you learn the childrens ages? Standard tools of diplomacy. Children? Or their ages? Both, actually. Any plan for the babies?
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
I the King
I-9
The ten- and twelve-year-old babies? Catalinas only nine. Like Henry Tudors son. The prince of Wales? No problem with her temperament. What about Maria? Shes our reserve. To be committed if Isabelica becomes a nun. Princesses dont become nuns. Wouldnt bother me. Trust me with the whole plan? Juans king of Spain. And the girls
Queen of Portugal. Holy Roman empress. Queen of England. Juan rules the world. Juan and his sisters.
FERNANDO
I the King
I-9
Youre king of Jerusalem?
If youre queen. What was your one little matter? Father Cisneros. As? Archbishop of Toledo.
(Music stops. The game is forgotten.) Dont do it, Isabel. No ones more qualified. You dont know him. My confessor for the last two years? Hell tear the kingdom apart.
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL
Who would you recommend? Your archbishop of Zaragoza?

FERNANDO
Hes got the experience. Having been archbishop since the age of nine.
ISABEL
What about the four hundred Franciscans who turned Muslim when Cisneros demanded they give up their concubines? They took a vow of celibacy.
ISABEL FERNANDO
FERNANDO
He neednt have been so bull-headed about it. Refusing to hear their protests.
I the King
I-9
Some things cant be negotiated. Forcing them into exile. They made a promise to God.
I dont mind his personal beliefs. Like bathing is a sin. I can hold my nose. But as head of the church, what if he makes it an article of faith? What if he does?
ISABEL FERNANDO
You and I couldnt prohibit bathing our subjects would be outraged. But the archbishop of Toledo speaks for God Almighty. I want the archbishop of Toledo to do right no matter whos outraged.
FERNANDO ISABEL
Just dont forget to bar the door. Inquisitors dont knock when they come to arrest you. Father Cisneros was once arrested for demanding a parish hed been promised after serving in the Vatican. But the bishop refused and, when he persisted, threw him in prison. For six years. Six years? For a parish?
Which he never got. Became a monk instead. He liked the solitude. I dont trust anyone that zealous. And neither does Rodrigo Borja. Hell never agree to a hair shirt who sleeps on a board with no mattress. And no mistress and no children. Hell agree all right. He needs us to rescue him from the French. At least keep Cisneros away from the Moors.
Hell do what we tell him, Fernando. If you want him to stay out of Granada
I the King
FERNANDO ISABEL
I-9
I do. Your orders will be obeyed.
(moving one of her chess pieces) Check.

FERNANDO (moving piece)
I fear for the peace of the kingdom.

ISABEL (moving piece)
Well you might. Checkmate. Worthless king ...

FERNANDO
(FERNANDO propels his checkmated king across the room.) Surely not worthless. Checked by a queen.
Better a queen than a pawn. Which was what I felt like growing up. Something to be bartered Youre worried about the children? How they might feel?
(END OF ACT I) FERNANDO
I the King
II-1
ACT II
SCENE 1 (Afternoon aboard a ship at anchor in a Castilian port, summer of 1496. JUANA, age 16, is waiting in her cabin as ISABEL, now 45, enters.) Admiral says the storm is over. I have to go ashore. Oh, Mama, please dont go. Don't leave me alone.
ISABEL JUANA ISABEL
You have your whole retinue. How can I be archduchess of Austria? I dont speak the language. You have translators. Tutors. Why cant I be queen of Portugal? King Manuel chose your sister Isabelica. Ive never been with a man.
ISABEL JUANA ISABEL JUANA ISABEL JUANA
Hes always been very taken with her. From the time she married their prince.
I the King
JUANA
II-1
But after the prince died in that stupid hunting accident, Isabelica wanted to be the bride of Christ. Portugal is too important an ally. Am I ugly, Mama?
ISABEL JUANA ISABEL
No, Juana. Youre beautiful. The brightest of all our children. Cant I stay with you?
JUANA ISABEL JUANA
Your father promised the emperor youd marry his son. Juans marrying his daughter. Isnt that enough?
Just think someday you'll be the Holy Roman empress. If I can't be an archduchess, how can I be an empress? With your faith, your heart and your wit, of course. And a little courage. You know, when I was your age I too married someone I'd never met. Papa was your cousin.
JUANA ISABEL JUANA ISABEL JUANA ISABEL ISABEL JUANA
ISABEL
But no less a stranger. In those days Aragon was as foreign as Austria. At least he spoke Spanish.
And unlike you we had to marry in secrecy. Why? Were you eloping?
The king hadnt approved our marriage. And since I was his heir
I the King
JUANA ISABEL JUANA
II-1
I thought his daughter was his heir. The king didnt have a daughter.
Isabelica said she met her. At the court in Portugal. He was impotent. He couldnt have children. How do you know that?
ISABEL JUANA ISABEL JUANA ISABEL
Everyone knew. Thats why his first marriage was annulled. So if I don't have children
Youre a princess, Juana. You have a special heritage to pass on. I'm not like that, Mama. I don't want children just to make treaties with some emperor or king. I want to love them. Keep them around me. I want them to love me.
ISABEL (stunned) JUANA
I really should be going The admiral (ISABEL starts to leave.) What was it like, Mama? When you first met Papa? Were you scared? A little. Was he beautiful?
ISABEL JUANA ISABEL JUANA ISABEL JUANA
He was a filthy mess. But I fell in love with him anyway. You married for love? God smiled on me.
I the King
JUANA ISABEL JUANA
II-1
I wish hed smile on me. Ask him. Maybe he will.
You didnt worry whether Papa was impotent? As it happened, he already had a child. Before you met him?
ISABEL JUANA ISABEL
Actually, two I knew of. But what I did worry about was the papal dispensation we needed because we were cousins. Your father said he had it, but I always know when hes lying. Though hes very skilled. So you were living in sin? We got the dispensation later. Doesnt that make Isabelica a bastard? She was conceived right away, wasnt she? Does King Manuel know? Youd have to ask your father.
ISABEL JUANA JUANA JUANA ISABEL
I guess you didnt mind his having children.
ISABEL
I accepted the ones before we were married. There were others? Oh, Mama what did you do? I couldnt very well blame the children, could I? Though I wouldnt allow their mothers at court. And I refused to let his son lead the Castilian church, although hed been archbishop of Zaragoza since the age of nine. Dear Papa. My knight in armor.
JUANA ISABEL JUANA
I the King
ISABEL JUANA ISABEL JUANA ISABEL
II-1
He was my knight before he was yours. I may never see him again.
The French invaded Aragon. He's their king. You're their queen.
But Castile takes all my time. And as the future empress youre about to become its most esteemed princess. I dont think so.
JUANA ISABEL
When you get discouraged, remember what we always taught you. Princes and princesses are born to be kings and queens and empresses.
JUANA (in tears)
No
ISABEL
Serving God and their kingdom both. (JUANA retreats off into her stateroom.) Ill pray for you, Juana. Dont forget to write. I love you. (ISABEL goes off the way she came in.)
I the King
II-2
SCENE 2 (Midday in private quarters of a city castle in Castile, some months later. FERNANDO enters with ISABEL.) I do like our Friday audiences.
FERNANDO ISABEL
The shepherds widow whose son was beaten youre sure it was the dukes men? Thats where they found her sheep. I was falling asleep.
You havent recovered from Juan and Margarets wedding. Why not take a few days in a convent? One last petitioner? Is he wearing sackcloth?
And now carries a scourge to flay himself.
Poor Colombo. Had he reached the Orient as he claims, hed be dressed like one of the Great Khans noblemen. And you, My Lady, would be wearing silk. If he goes back, Fernando, we cant let him enslave any more Indians. Except rebels.
FERNANDO
The Moors havent rebelled. Maybe we ought to send Father Talavera to the Indies.
I the King
FERNANDO ISABEL
II-2
Do you realize the only profit weve made in five years is from selling slaves? We didnt sell Moors to pay for the reconquest. Theyre not idol worshippers.
FERNANDO ISABEL
Cant blame the Indians just because they never heard of the Holy Spirit. We have to teach them Christianity. We dont speak the same language. We have to teach them Spanish. Do I sense another crusade? A crusade for the soul of the Indians.
Talavera hasnt converted many Moors in the crusade for their soul. My Lord?
All right, Isabel. No more slaves. Well take care of it when you get back from the convent. And well educate them? And take over administration of the colony and settle it, like the Canary Islands. Farm the land. Mine the resources. Make the crusade worthwhile. Colombo could keep his titles. Admiral, maybe. But hes no governor.
Hes really an explorer. But lets give him one more chance.
I the King
II-2
If he explores south of the equator on his next voyage. For what?
The Portuguese think theres a continent down there. Really? Who would it belong to?
Portugal, if its this side of the demarcation line we agreed on. If its the other side, or we settle it first ... I hope we wont do anything to betray their friendship. Of course not.
Isabelica will become their queen in a few months. Speaking of which, wasnt Margaret the most beautiful bride? Did you notice her pearl and ruby necklace? Your wedding present to me? Thats why I was thinking of you. Been an interesting journey. Certainly has. No regrets? Not me. Me either. No more nightmares?
FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO FERNANDO ISABEL ISABEL FERNANDO
I the King
II-2
Maybe one What? Its not ... Out with it. I so wanted to give you another son.
Isabel you gave me a son and four beautiful daughters. Margaret makes five. They cant inherit your crown. Aragonese dont think women are good enough to rule them.
FERNANDO
Juan will inherit both our crowns.. Hes never had your constitution.
Its not as though hes moving to another kingdom. Or is it Juana youre worried about? Not one letter. In almost a year. Shes never forgiven me. You need a weekend with the nuns. Forget the world. You really dont have any regrets? Well, maybe one I told you mine. Then youll be off to the convent? What is it?
ISABEL ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO FERNANDO
I the King
FERNANDO
II-2
I dont know how to say this diplomatically, but next time you reject an enterprise promising spices and silks and gold in return for a modest investment, please dont let me change your mind. Oh, Fernando. Itll be profitable someday. Youll see Do you ever wonder why all the explorers are either Italian or Portuguese? I suppose its what they do best. What we do best is govern.
Govern? Or conquer? Dont forget your spinning.

FERNANDO
(FERNANDO goes off.)
I the King
II-3
SCENE 3 (Evening in private quarters of a castle on the Portuguese border, six months later. FERNANDO enters.) Hes dead, isnt he? Oh, God, have mercy on us. Have mercy on Juan. He was in peace, Isabel. He wasnt in any pain. My angel. Nineteen years old.
He wanted me to tell you he knew death was inevitable. Dying young hed avoid all the disappointments of life. He learned that from reading the ancients. Were not to mourn. Especially you. Im all right, Fernando. How are you?
I didnt know what to do. He asked me to entrust him to God. I didnt know how. You were there when he needed you.
My only son. I was saying goodbye to him for the last time and I ... His dying request ... It was Juan who was saying goodbye. God had called him.
FERNANDO (recovering) Thats what I told Juan. He was in Gods hands. The greatest king of all with domains far greater than any we can offer. Which last forever. He just smiled as if he already knew these things. Such wisdom in one so young. ISABEL
Do you remember when he turned twelve and you knighted him?
ISABEL
I the King
FERNANDO ISABEL
II-3
On the plains of Granada.
He reminded me of my little brother the day he was crowned. Your brother was crowned?
FERNANDO ISABEL
After the king announced he wasnt his heir and would never succeed him. The nobles were so enraged they dethroned the king in effigy outside the cathedral and crowned my little brother. All of eleven years old When he died three years later, they wanted to crown me. But I knew it was wrong. His death was a sign? Because the king was still alive? Did you know Castile has never been ruled by a virgin queen? When did this happen? Your brothers death? The year before we were married.
(reciting from a contemporary Castilian poem) The noble steeds and harness bright And gallant lord and stalwart knight In rich array. Where shall we see them now? Alas! Like some bright dewdrops on the grass They passed away. Oh World! So few the years we live Would that the life which thou does give Were life indeed. Instead thy sorrows fall so fast Our happiest hour is when at last The soul is freed. Juan wrote that?
FERNANDO
I the King
ISABEL
II-3
No, but it was one of his favorites. He used to recite it while playing the guitar Shouldnt we go tell Isabelica? We will. Its been so long since she was happy.
FERNANDO ISABEL
I asked God to give me a baby boy like my little brother. We had Isabelica, and when I finally got pregnant again, I knew my prayers had been heard. Then I got your letter accusing me of not loving you. You wrote it on my twenty-fourth birthday.
FERNANDO
I hadnt heard from you in weeks. The king of Portugal had declared war I had to ride to a town that was wavering in its support of us to convince them we were their rightful king and queen. I remember it was a Wednesday, the last day of May. I was thinking how Id disappointed you but how pleased youd be that I was carrying your son when the horse stumbled and threw me. The pain was ... Thats when you lost him?
I shouldnt have been riding after dark He would have been our heir.
FERNANDO
We dont have to worry about that right now. I ordered a coffin for him. Three months ago. I couldnt tell you. Juan?
He was so pale. The doctors said he was being consumed by passion. Everyone wanted me to separate them. Even you. But marriage is a holy sacrament Did I love him too well, Fernando? Your son?
FERNANDO ISABEL
My boys all die before they become men ... We have to tell Isabelica. Let her enjoy her wedding a while longer.
FERNANDO
I the King
II-3
Juan didnt get to enjoy his very long.
They were the happiest six months of his life. She has to know. Shes the heir now. Maybe not. Margarets pregnant. Margaret? Juan said it was a gift specially for you. A gift? For me? So you wouldnt grieve too much.
He left us an heir? My angel? Oh, thank you, Juan. Thank you, Lord. Lord, please take him into heaven. Fernando you did it. Did what?
ISABEL
Entrusted Juan to God. Hes probably smiling down on you right now. Wondering at such wisdom in one so young. You really think hes there?
FERNANDO ISABEL
Im sure of it. With my little brother. And maybe his own brother. I hope so. Isabel, can we say a prayer for Margaret?
FERNANDO
I the King
II-4
SCENE 4 (Morning in the armory of a castle outside Granada, spring of 1500. ISABEL is watching FERNANDO buckling on his armor. Theyre in their late forties.) My Lord, I dont see why you have to take up the sword. Im their king, Isabel. The Moors are our subjects. The Great Captain is perfectly competent.
(CISNEROS enters quietly. Hes in his mid-sixties.)

FERNANDO
I need him to defend Naples from the French. Will you never be too old? Im in the prime of my life.
ISABEL FERNANDO
(Stepping forward, CISNEROS awkwardly knocks FERNANDOs sword down and scrambles to pick it up.) Almost fifty. This is my last campaign. Promise. I thought your armor didnt fit you anymore.
ISABEL ISABEL FERNANDO
Your Highnesses, if I may, Id like to volunteer my services. Father Cisneros, please not you too.
ISABEL
CISNEROS
I the King
CISNEROS
II-4
Having had some part in causing the Moors to rebel. We have more than enough chaplains. Id like to lead the men in battle. Youre forbidden to kill, Father.
FERNANDO CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS
I can order others to kill in defense of the faith.
Weve already paid dearly enough for your rashness.
FERNANDO
CISNEROS (to ISABEL) Your Highness asked me to increase the number of conversions.
You insisted Father Talavera was too lenient. Root out the heresy. You promised you could do better.
ISABEL
CISNEROS ISABEL FERNANDO
Something I never understood why did you forbid Talavera to translate the bible into Arabic? Casting pearls before swine. The bible wasnt written for laymen.
FERNANDO CISNEROS
And your polyglot bible? Shows the original Hebrew or Greek alongside the Latin. Nothing the people can understand.
FERNANDO CISNEROS CISNEROS
People have little reverence for what they understand. Thats why we teach in parables. Did you know any swine before you went to Granada?
FERNANDO
I the King
CISNEROS FERNANDO
II-4
You mean Moors?
You know, the people who make things. Like the clothes Im wearing. My armor. My sword. Used to be our conquerors. I dont recall any.
CISNEROS FERNANDO
The ones you baptized did they speak Spanish? I dont know. There were so many, we had to sprinkle the holy water from a parapet. So you dont know if they became true Christians. You gave them no instruction. Thats for the inquisition to determine.
CISNEROS FERNANDO FERNANDO CISNEROS
Ah, yes, the pious trap. If they take baths, theyre not infidels anymore theyre heretics. Grist for the inquisitions mill. Father, do the Moors believe in patron saints? I dont know what they believe.
ISABEL
CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS
They believe you forced them to convert. They had a choice. They could emigrate.
Meaning they converted of their own free will?
FERNANDO CISNEROS
According to canon law. Not that it matters. The alternative to baptism isnt emigration or even death its damnation. The Moors might say paradise.
FERNANDO
I the King
CISNEROS
II-4
Thats the only choice God gives anyone, believer and infidel alike. Eternal salvation or everlasting damnation. Those who make the wrong choice are beyond our power to help. We should put them out of our mind and devote ourselves to those who make the right choice. Unfortunately, Isabel and I cant put them out of our mind. Theyve destroyed the peace of our kingdom. (buckling on his sword) Now, like the Jews, they really will have to convert. Or leave. I can help you. Ive already converted fifty thousand Moors. By bribing them. Turning their mosques into churches. Tearing down their baths. Talavera himself said this was a greater triumph than Your Highnesss. You burned their manuscripts their holy books. You conquered their soil A man of letters. I conquered their soul.
CISNEROS FERNANDO FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO
You destroyed in a few days the peace we spent years acquiring. (FERNANDO marches off.) Father, I dont think this is your battle.
ISABEL
(ISABEL goes off after FERNANDO. CISNEROS follows her off.)
I the King
II-5
SCENE 5 (Evening in private apartment of a Castilian castle, fall of 1503. JUANA runs in shoeless and disheveled and falls to her knees, calling to her husband. She is 24.) Philip? My husband? My lord? My love? Can you hear me? Come back please. Mamas locked me in the castle. Come back for me, Philip. Take me home. (JUANA jumps up and hides as FERNANDO and ISABEL enter. They are in their early fifties.) She went outside yesterday morning and refused to come back in. Parading back and forth in front of the townspeople. In her nightclothes. Why didnt the guards pick her up and carry her inside? Why did they wait a day to notify me? Theyre calling her Juana the Mad. Her own people. Their future queen. They think shes crazy. What should we do?
FERNANDO ISABEL ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL JUANA
I was hoping youd think of something. If Philip hadnt left her to have the baby all alone Which now she neglects. Dont worry. Well raise him.
FERNANDO ISABEL
But shes not crazy. Though I wont mention the names she called me. Out there all night Miracle she didnt catch her death from the cold. Its you the doctors are worried about. All her crying and acting up you cant get any rest.
FERNANDO
I the King
ISABEL FERNANDO
II-5
Certainly not when youre in Aragon.
Why dont you lie down? Let me speak to her.
(ISABEL goes off. FERNANDO calls to JUANA.) Princess? Can we talk?

FERNANDO (cont.)
(JUANA reappears.) Oh, Papa, Im sorry. About what?

JUANA FERNANDO JUANA
Ive disgraced you. Everyone thinks Im mad. Am I, Papa? Am I crazy? No, Juana, youre not crazy. But nobody understands you. No one listens to me.
JUANA FERNANDO FERNANDO
Even me, sometimes. I should have let Isabelica become a nun. She knew shed never survive childbirth.
JUANA
You would have been queen of Portugal. Married to Manuel instead of Philip says its a curse to be your heir. A curse? Dont be angry, Papa. Succeed your mother as queen?
JUANA FERNANDO JUANA FERNANDO JUANA
FERNANDO
He meant how Juan and his baby and Isabelica and her baby
I the King
FERNANDO JUANA
II-5
I think its an honor.
But I dont care if I die. I wasnt meant for this life. All our children, you were the one who was different. I used to dream about disguising myself as a boy and sailing with Admiral Colombo. Become a savage like the Indians. Live in their caves. Listen to them pray. Watch them make love. Isabelica was horrified, of course. But I felt sorry for them. The Indians they brought back, standing there naked, for all of us to gape at. You wouldnt have been happy as Manuels consort?
JUANA FERNANDO JUANA FERNANDO
Maria says she is. But she never minded everyone making her decisions for her. None of my sisters did. Even Juan.
FERNANDO JUANA
I love Philip. I really do. And he loves me I think. But if Id chosen him myself, I know hed treat me differently. Wouldnt lock me in my room when he gets angry. Go fornicate with one of his Im sorry, Papa. That just slipped out. Im sorry too.
FERNANDO JUANA
Mama told me she rejected all the men she was supposed to marry because they were too old. And wouldnt let any of you marry older men.
FERNANDO JUANA
Thats what I mean. She chose her husband but wouldnt let any of us choose ours. I always wanted to make my own choices. I understand. You do?
FERNANDO JUANA
I the King
FERNANDO JUANA FERNANDO JUANA FERNANDO JUANA
II-5
You dont want to be queen. Mama says its my duty. Not if we make Maria our heir. Maria?
Then you can be whatever you want to be.
I wouldnt have to be anything. Can you do that? Change heirs? Youll have to pretend youre going crazy.
FERNANDO JUANA
Pretend? Just the thought of facing my subjects every Friday like you and Mama. Listening to them plead for justice. Their lives are so hopeless. Not as hopeless as they used to be. I really would go crazy. Ill have to persuade your mother. Tell her Ill poison myself. You dont have to Or Philip if he insists on being king. Just keep on being yourself.
FERNANDO JUANA FERNANDO JUANA FERNANDO JUANA FERNANDO JUANA
You mean someone nobody understands? Except you? Oh Papa. And you can go home. See your children.
FERNANDO
I the King
JUANA FERNANDO JUANA
II-5
And Philip Ill miss you. I love you so much.
(JUANA hugs him and runs off.) (Presently ISABEL wanders in.) Couldnt sleep How is she?
Wants to go back to Philip and her children. Shell only get worse. But youll get better. Philip wont take care of her.
We know hes no Manuel. Who would certainly take care of Maria if she got sick. You think Juanas sick?
ISABEL FERNANDO
FERNANDO
I dont think shes fit to be your successor. And as you said, with Philip shell only get worse.
ISABEL
Remember when we were debating succession rights? I said if you insisted on male inheritance, our daughter might marry a foreign prince who would take over our kingdom? But the Council of Jurists agreed with you. Juanas your heir. If shes not fit to rule, isnt that what weve got?
ISABEL FERNANDO
Weve done our best, Isabel. Some things we cant control.
FERNANDO
I the King
II-5
Isnt there anything we can do? Have him poisoned? Something diplomatic? I cant think of anything.
That doesnt sound like the noble prince I married. Unless we declare her incompetent. Fernando And Maria as your heir. We cant do that.
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO
Aragon will accept her since she has a male child. Like Juana. Castile wont.
Theyd conquer Jerusalem if My Lady asked them. I feel like a traitor. Juana never wanted to be queen.
Even to Philip. I know hes abusive. Treats her as his slave.

FERNANDO
Did I tell you when Philip left us and Juana he didnt go home? He went to the king of France and signed a treaty giving them Naples. Philip gave Naples to the French? By what authority? Naples belongs to us.
ISABEL
I the King
II-5
He claims mine. I trust you set everyone straight.
And we have Naples back. Thanks to the Great Captain. I still dont understand. Why did the French king believe him? Philips actually a vassal of the king. Through a duchy inherited from his mother. But hes our son-in-law.
Of course I had to give the king some assurances so hed pull his army back from Naples. Assurances? What kind? He says I lied to him twice. Which itself is a lie. I lied to him ten times. How many times did you lie to Philip?
ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO FERNANDO
He did what was in his heart, Isabel. He betrayed us. No more than the French king.
But Philips our heir. Hes sworn allegiance to us.
(ISABEL sits down with resignation.) I suppose wed dont have any choice, do we? What do we have to do? (JUANA appears, listening. FERNANDO notices her but ISABEL doesnt.) Convene parliament to proclaim Maria as your heir. When you feel up to it, of course. Theres no hurry.
FERNANDO ISABEL
I the King
ISABEL
II-5
Will you tell Juana? (noticing Juana) Before she leaves? Ill do it right now.
FERNANDO
(FERNANDO goes to JUANA and leads her off.)
I the King
II-6
SCENE 6 (Evening, a year later. ISABEL, slumped in a chair, is drafting her will. CISNEROS enters.) You dont look well, Your Highness. Im not well. I can hardly breathe.
CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL
The doctors are not sanguine about your recovery.
Im not going to recover, Father. Thats why I wanted you to see this. (ISABEL hands her will to CISNEROS.) Last Will and Testament?
CISNEROS
(leafing through the will) I wasnt trained in civil law. Ive named my lord the king and you as my executors. Who is this Excellent Lady you refer to?
CISNEROS ISABEL ISABEL
She signs her name I the Queen as I do. Claiming shes the daughter of the late king my king who everyone knew couldnt have children. You never heard of her? Perhaps. When I was in the Vatican. Or prison waiting for the parish they promised me. After I became queen, the old king of Portugal married her and declared war on us to recover the crown he claimed was hers. But my lord defeated him in battle, and we insisted in the treaty that she retire to a convent in Portugal.
ISABEL CISNEROS
I the King
CISNEROS ISABEL
II-6
Did she?
She sallies forth from time to time, but we complain and they put her back in. So why is she mentioned in your will?
CISNEROS ISABEL
I once asked Father Talavera to prepare a list of the people I had wronged so I could make restitution. Her name was at the top. Talavera knew her? He persuaded her to enter the convent. How do you feel about this? I reign as queen by the grace of God. But
CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL
Its impossible to know to a certainty she was not the kings daughter and heir. All right. What do you mean, all right? I agree. With what?
CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS CISNEROS ISABEL
Its impossible to know to a certainty she was not the kings daughter and heir. Is that all?
You reign as queen by the grace of God. Also your kings army defeated her kings army.
I the King
ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL
II-6
Does canon law have anything to say? Not much. Im glad I asked.
But I dont agree with designating Princess Maria as your heir instead of Princess Juana. My lord doesnt believe Juana is capable of being queen. But God made her what she is.
CISNEROS ISABEL
Neither of us want her husband Philip to exercise her powers.

CISNEROS
The solution is to appoint someone as regent. You mean my lord?

ISABEL CISNEROS
Then the regent will run the kingdom instead of Philip. But Juana and her son Charles are your rightful successors under the law of Castile and God. My lord feels so strongly about this no alien prince must rule our kingdom. He may refuse to name Charles as his successor in Aragon. Who would he name? Juanas younger son Ferdinand. Whos also an alien prince.
CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL ISABEL
But were raising him as a Spaniard. My lords very fond of him. Weve never met Charles.
CISNEROS
That would be unfortunate. Dividing Spain into separate kingdoms after all youve done to unify it.
I the King
ISABEL
II-6
My lord fears Charles may take after Philip, his father, since thats how hes being raised. Men always think their way is better. Like the bishop who gave my parish the one the Vatican promised me to one of his own. But now Im the primate of Spain. Father, will you help me through this?
ISABEL CISNEROS CISNEROS
You keep Princess Juana as your heir and designate a regent. Ill handle the king. (CISNEROS goes off.)
I the King
II-7
SCENE 7 (Evening, the next day. ISABEL is reclining on a chaise, putting the finishing touches to her will. FERNANDO enters talking to CISNEROS.) You dont think itll be long?
FERNANDO CISNEROS
Shes not going until she finishes her will. Not that lady. Just so she makes Princess Maria her heir. My Lord? I need to talk with you.
She never felt well enough to go before parliament.
(FERNANDO moves to ISABELs side. ISABEL hands him her will, which FERNANDO starts reading. CISNEROS edges close enough to hear what theyre saying.) Ive provided for you as best I can. Though less than you deserve. Dont worry about me, Isabel.
You wont forget the Indians, will you? Theyre so far away all the way across the Ocean Sea. Our colonists take advantage of them. Juanas your heir? You were going to name Maria.
ISABEL FERNANDO
But youll run the kingdom. Until her son Charles comes of age. Youll be regent. Did you hear she assaulted one of her ladies-in-waiting?
FERNANDO
I the King
II-7
Philip was having an affair with her. Cut off all her hair.
Hes not fit to be king, Fernando. You must never let him govern Castile. How? If Juanas queen. It could mean civil war. Youll find a way. You always have. I did find a way.
Fernando, listen to me I dont have much time. Ive asked to be buried in the Franciscan monastery in Granada, but I want to spend eternity with you. If you can put up with me. Are you listening?
FERNANDO
I heard you. Wherever you choose to be buried, I want to be by your side. As a symbol of our lives on earth and God willing our souls in heaven. Ill take care of it.
I dont know what happened to me. All the energy I had. Ride from one end of the kingdom to the other. Even when I was pregnant. Juana wore you out.
FERNANDO ISABEL
How did we ever make five babies? Never seemed we were together that much. Such beautiful children. But none as fortunate as we or as blessed. Doesnt that make you sad? Sad?
FERNANDO
I the King
ISABEL
II-7
At least you have a grandson to take care of. Little Ferdinand hes so much like you. But youll leave Aragon to his brother Charles, wont you? Is that what you want? Not divide our kingdom?
We wouldnt have these problems if you left Castile to Maria. But God chose Juana. God? It wasnt my decision to make. Did God make her mad?
Thats a question you should ask Father Cisneros. Hes a man of many talents, Fernando. Thats why I made you both executors of my will. He promised to help you in any way he can. Ill let him handle Philip.
FERNANDO ISABEL
Hed make an excellent ambassador. Do you think well see each other again?
FERNANDO
I hope so. I want to tell you how it all came out. Then kiss me one more time I wont say the last. After that youd better leave me with my confessor. Oh, Isabel (embracing her) Ill love you forever.
FERNANDO ISABEL
I the King (CISNEROS approaches.) But dont grieve for me. You have too much to do. And please, no extravagant funeral. Give the money to the needy. A few prayers for my soul will do just fine. (As CISNEROS kneels by ISABELs side, FERNANDO moves down to announce her death to the audience.)
ISABEL
II-7
My fellow Spaniards, on this twenty-sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and four, God has taken my dearly beloved wife, Her Serene Highness, Queen Isabel, to his bosom. Her death is the greatest pain I could suffer in this life. (watching CISNEROS wheel ISABEL off) She was the mirror of every virtue, the shield of all innocence, the scourge of the wicked. Knowing she died a Catholic and a saint as she lived we accept Gods will thank him everything he has given us (FERNANDO turns away.)
FERNANDO (cont.)
FERNANDO
I the King
II-8
SCENE 8 (Evening in a private room of a residence in Granada, 15 months later. FERNANDO is examining his face in a mirror when TALAVERA, now in his late seventies, appears holding an envelope. FERNANDO motions him in.) Is anything the matter?
TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA
Just checking for gray hairs. You know, Ill be fifty-four next month. How old is she? The bride-to-be? Eighteen.
Hardly a year since Queen Isabels death.
Look, Talavera, you cant understand why I have to live with a woman. Is that the issue? Or the need for a male heir?
TALAVERA
FERNANDO
FERNANDO
Anymore than I understand how you can live without one. (indicating envelope) Is that for me? No.
TALAVERA
(TALAVERA puts the envelope away.) Are you sure?

FERNANDO
I the King
TALAVERA
II-8
Forgive me, Sire. I loved Isabel with all my heart. Life hasnt been the same For any of us. What was it like? Being married to her?
FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA
She could be very loving. And very demanding. You really made your decisions together? You were her confessor. She never discussed matters of state.
FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO
I assumed you knew everything we did. Even in bed. Why? Did Cisneros? He never seemed interested. And I was?
There was a time I thought you might be a rival for Isabels affections. Not necessarily in a carnal way Thank you for that distinction.
But yes, we made our decisions together. Especially those affecting Castile. Her passion was to make it a perfect kingdom.
And both of us signed every decree. So no one can say this was the queens decision or that was the kings.
FERNANDO
I the King
TALAVERA
II-8
But the inquisition was the queens decision, was it not? Why do you say that?
FERNANDO TALAVERA
The promise that Torquemada may he rest in peace extracted from her. What promise? She never told you? What promise?
When she was young and he was her confessor. Soft clay in that master potters hands. He made her promise to eliminate heresy from her kingdom when she became queen. So thats why ...
FERNANDO TALAVERA
I always thought she relied too much on her confessors. Never having a father to guide her or a mother. But none of you had the right answers. Torquemadas confessions by torture. Cisneross conversions by force. Your teaching and charity. Most people believe what theyre brought up to believe. Then most conversos are heretics?
TALAVERA FERNANDO FERNANDO
Im not sure even Torquemada believed that. But Isabel felt we had to do something. So we sent you to Seville to try your silk glove approach while we asked the pope to authorize the inquisition in case you failed. Which ultimately you did. Why did I fail?
You had two years. How many errant conversos did you save? Why did I have only two years?
I the King
FERNANDO
II-8
The Turks. When they sacked Otranto, we knew we couldnt put off the reconquest much longer. Otranto?
Kingdom of Naples. Where they sawed the archbishop in half on his altar. Now I remember Especially Isabels confession. We didnt want the Turks joining forces with the Moors in Granada. She went on about an expensive gown she purchased. Some Italian courtier flirting with her. Anything but what was in her heart. Thats when we decided on the inquisition. You mean the reconquest. The inquisition had to come first. We couldnt have apostates subverting us in Seville while we were fighting infidels in Granada. Apostates ... You dont like that word? I am that word. What are you talking about?
FERNANDO TALAVERA TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO FERNANDO TALAVERA TALAVERA FERNANDO
The inquisition accused me of holding black masses for the return of the Jewish messiah. Accused an archbishop? I have Jewish blood.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
I the King
II-8
Thousands of Spaniards have Jewish blood. They say even Torquemada. They say even you. Theres no law against it.
No? Then what justified expelling the Jews who didnt convert? They werent heretics. Isabel and I vowed we would create a unified kingdom dedicated to God. You didnt expel the Moors. Until they rebelled.
Only because Cisneros forced them to convert. After youd failed all those years.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
You promised the Moors they could practice their religion forever. We didnt promise the Jews.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
Thats your justification? The Jews of Spain had been practicing their religion for thousands of years but didnt have a treaty? Talavera, listen. After the Moors surrendered, the only threats to our authority were the Jews. Did the Jews conquer Spain? Hold its people hostage for thirty generations? Was it the Jews who seized Constantinople? Laid waste to Otranto? What fires Castilians isnt the threat of Turks across the sea. Its the rumor of Jews crucifying a Christian boy on Good Friday.
The inquisition invented that boy. You said so yourself.
I the King
II-8
The burnings werent invented. Greatest lie in the world.
The riots werent invented. We had a sacred duty to secure our kingdom and keep order. You had a sacred duty to defend the Jews and Moors under your protection. They had a choice. Their religion or their home.
Everyone knew we were going to make Spain Christian. The Sephardim were here before the first Christian was born the Moors for eight hundred years. When you expelled them, did it ever occur to you they might take the heart of Spain with them? They didnt all choose to leave.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
You ruled your kingdom by Gods will, Fernando. Not Torquemadas. Not Cisneross. Youd better calm yourself.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
Isabel was a chaste and judicious queen. Youll have a seizure.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
But she carried too much guilt. Which they took advantage of. Youre not young anymore.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
But they were only her confessors. You were her husband. Her lord. Her king.
I the King
FERNANDO TALAVERA
II-8
Youre having a crisis of faith.
I am. A Hieronymite monk serving God and my people for almost fifty years. But now my order rejects anyone with Jewish blood. Im no longer pure. You can appeal to the Vatican.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
God grants me long enough to live. But Ill never expunge the shame in my heart. Youve nothing to be ashamed of.
FERNANDO TALAVERA
Last evening the inquisition came for my sister and her children. What your sister? Took them away. Give me her name. I couldnt protect them. Ill do what I can.
FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO
(TALAVERA pulls out the envelope and gives it FERNANDO.)

TALAVERA
Its too late now. (TALAVERA goes slowly off.)
I the King
II-9
SCENE 9 (Afternoon in a private room in a residence in Castile, summer of 1507. FERNANDO, now 55, is seated when CISNEROS enters.) Im happy to see you, Fernando. There were rumors youd decided to stay in Naples. Ignore your duties to Castile. Actually I havent decided what to do. Dont like being regent? I have my polyglot bible to complete. And my university if its to open next year.
FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS
Thankless job, governing a kingdom that would as soon see you dead. After all Isabel and I did. When she died, Castilians didnt think twice about supporting Philip. But three months of his rule proved more than they could bear. Now theyre hailing your return. Only a year ago they were hailing my departure.
Of course my regency may have contributed to your popularity. I seemed to offend their sensibilities.
FERNANDO
I thought you handled it with great skill. Laymen are no harder to manage than clergy. You tell them what you want and what the consequences will be if you dont get it. What did you tell them about Philip? I assumed that was you.
I the King
FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS
II-9
I was sunning myself in Naples. Im not allowed to take human life. But you can command others. As you can yourself. Was he poisoned?
No one knows. Queen Juana seized the body and wouldnt let anyone examine it. Wheres it now? With her. After ten months?
Your daughters gone quite mad, Fernando. Ill take care of it. Im the one responsible. But God made her mad. Now why would he do that? Those are his mysteries.
FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS
You know what he does but not, for all your learning, why? That surprises you? I never feel I understand anything until I know why someone did it.
FERNANDO
I the King
CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS
II-9
God is not someone.
But that doesnt disqualify you from becoming Grand Inquisitor. Im afraid I wont have the time. Should I abolish it? The inquisition?
No it means too much to the faithful. Conversos have offered me money.
FERNANDO CISNEROS
But its mismanaged. Too many inquisitors act on their own impulse. Torquemada encouraged that. Then you must manage it. Youre the only one left I can trust. Im but a simple friar
CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO
Perhaps before Isabel discovered you.
What an honor it was to serve her. Truly a saint. Who relied too much on her confessors.
FERNANDO CISNEROS
If I erred, it was only because of overzealousness.
And I because I allowed religious advice to determine matters of state. The state is a Christian kingdom.
CISNEROS FERNANDO
FERNANDO
But we banished the Jews, suppressed the Moors, and the heart went out of it. And soon it will be ruled by a foreign prince who may be as vain as Philip. Or as mad as Juana.
I the King
CISNEROS
II-9
Your grandson Charles? Youve never even talked to the boy. He doesnt speak Spanish. Youve never met him.
But Isabel and I gave him the power to do whatever he wants. With an army to enforce it. The church is strong. We can protect the faithful.
You can also oppress them. Do you know how Aragon swears allegiance to me? We who are as good as you swear to you who are no better than us that you are our king if you observe our liberties and our laws. But if not not. That would be treason coming from the mouth of a Castilian. Under Charles it might be heresy. You cant control the future, Fernando. You have to have faith. No, I have to leave Aragon to Ferdinand the grandson I raised and trust. Unless, of course, my young wife should grace me with a son You promised Isabel you wouldnt divide Spain. I promised Isabel Id create a peaceful Spain. Youve already done it. I wouldnt call it peaceful.
FERNANDO
You made your two weak kingdoms into the greatest power in Christendom. You cant destroy it now. I cant leave Aragon to a king who doesnt speak its language or understand its customs. Spain belongs to God now.
CISNEROS FERNANDO
I the King
II-9
If only Isabel had left Castile to Maria I couldnt let her do that. Im sorry?
God made Juana her heir. I couldnt let Isabel change it. You meddled with my wife my children my kingdom And didnt even tell me? I was the queens advisor not yours.
How could I not have known Theres no tyranny on earth like the tyranny of priests. Whats that? Something the Moors used to say Well, now you can be Juanas advisor, having made her queen. (getting to his feet) You and she can govern Castile together. Without you?
Ill make you a Cardinal as well as Grand Inquisitor so no one will doubt your authority. Youre regent of Castile. Im also king of Aragon. And Naples. To which Im now returning.
(CISNEROS hastily retrieves a written document.) FERNANDO
I cant let you go without signing this. Cant let me go?
CISNEROS FERNANDO
I the King
II-9
Ill read it to you. How are you going to stop me?
I, Fernando, King of Aragon, do declare that my grandson, Charles of Austria, is the heir to my kingdom of Aragon. Simple enough
FERNANDO
You cant believe Id betray my own kingdom. You promised Isabel. You destroyed my plan.
On her deathbed. In good conscience you can do nothing else. I was put here to negotiate state affairs, not discharge my conscience. Then what will you say to Isabel? When you see her? To tell her how it all came out? (CISNEROS holds out the document. FERNANDO stares at it, then takes it and scrawls his signature.) We failed, Isabel. We failed
FERNANDO (THE END) CISNEROS FERNANDO
I the King Perspectives
Perspectives
Spaniards are prone to refer to the reign of the Catholic sovereigns (14791516) as the golden age in their history, because of Spains vast potential at that time. Foreigners generally regard the epoch of Charles V and his son Philip II as the high-water mark of Spanish history (15161598). Spaniards think in terms of what might have been had the rule of Spaniards continued and Spain not become involved in politics all over Europe. Foreigners view the obviously greater size and wealth of the Spanish empire in the sixteenth century.
John A. Crow, Spain: The Root and the Flower (Berkeley, University of California, 3rd ed., 1985), 161.
Spain, for so long a mere geographical expression, was somehow transformed into an historical fact. Ferdinands diplomats were respected, his armies feared. And in the New World the conquistadores were carving out for themselves an empire that could not but profoundly alter the balance of power in the Old. For a few fabulous decades Spain was to be the greatest power on earth. How all this can have happened, and in so short a space of time, [poses] one of the most complex and difficult of all historical questions: what makes a society suddenly dynamic, releases its energies, and galvanizes it into life? This in turn suggests a corollary, no less relevant to Spain: how does this same society lose its impetus and its creative dynamism, perhaps in as short a period of time as it took to acquire them?
J.H. Elliott, Imperial Spain: 1469-1716 (London, Penguin Books, reprint. 1990), 13-14.
If I had been talking about the history of art, it would not have been possible to leave out Spain; but when one asks what Spain has done to enlarge the human mind and pull mankind a few steps up the hill, the answer is less clear. Don Quixote, the Great Saints, the Jesuits in South America? Otherwise she has simply remained Spain. . . .
Kenneth Clark, Civilisation: A Personal View (London, British Broadcasting Company, 1969), xvii.

I The King

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I The King

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I THE KING

Copyright 2003 by Mord Bogie For permissions, please email mord.bogie@gmail.com

I make this sacred promise to God

TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA

TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL

Perfect. Now I feel like a traitor. To the king?

TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL

TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA

Dont forget your promise. He surely wont And neither will I.

The King of Aragon. Am Im the maid you seek?

But pretty headstrong. Ill be queen proprietress. Meaning?

ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

(FERNANDO has moved close.) You dont smell like a mule.

(ISABEL pushes FERNANDO back.) Youve got me now.

My poor gown Ill take care of you.

So our son wont be king of Granada?

No money. Do you mind?

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

Your Highness? Yes?

But isnt the Vatican responsible for appointments?

Very well. Shall we do it now? If youre prepared.

(TALAVERA nods or bows and goes off.)

Youre my king, Fernando. My lord. My husband. I love you.

I have to do this, Fernando the inquisition.

(holding out the proclamation) If you love me, youll understand.

I love you But I dont understand.

If you want to cross out Aragon No.

We have to let them keep their religion, Isabel.

Wheres he going now? Did anyone hear? The king of France.

Ill send someone right away. (ISABEL goes off.)

Cant have rioting after every inquisition.

The inquisition encourages violence.

Maybe four. Who were his parents?

TALAVERA ISABEL FERNANDO

Whos your confessor now? I havent appointed one yet.

So I understood. Do you know by whom?

So his motive could be determined. It might have been a conspiracy.

Was the king conscious when you saw him?

But you did?

Of course he doesnt know me as well as you

And Cisneros may not be as comforting as you would like

I the King (ISABEL and TALAVERA go off together.)

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

Youre king of Jerusalem?

Who would you recommend? Your archbishop of Zaragoza?

I do. Your orders will be obeyed.

(moving one of her chess pieces) Check.

I fear for the peace of the kingdom.

Well you might. Checkmate. Worthless king ...

I wish hed smile on me. Ask him. Maybe he will.

ISABEL JUANA ISABEL

I guess you didnt mind his having children.

And now carries a scourge to flay himself.

If he explores south of the equator on his next voyage. For what?

Govern? Or conquer? Dont forget your spinning.

(FERNANDO goes off.)

Do you remember when he turned twelve and you knighted him?

On the plains of Granada.

Juan didnt get to enjoy his very long.

(CISNEROS enters quietly. Hes in his mid-sixties.)

I can order others to kill in defense of the faith.

Weve already paid dearly enough for your rashness.