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 [email protected]

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 Ferdinand’s 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.

Torquemada:

Dominican monk (1420-1498), Isabella’s 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.

Fernando:

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.

Talavera:

Hieronymite monk (1428-1507) who became Isabella’s confessor after her coronation and then the first archbishop of Granada. Forthright and tolerant. Wears plain brown habit without a hood.

Juana:

Joanna the Mad (1479-1555), Ferdinand and Isabella’s third child and second daughter who became queen of Castile after her mother’s death. She lived (and reigned after a fashion) in secluded madness after her husband (Philip I of Castile) died in 1506.

Cisneros:

Observant Franciscan monk (1436-1517) who succeeded Talavera as Isabella’s 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.

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 ISABEL’s family’s 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 …

TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA

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

I the King

I-1 ISABEL

I make this sacred promise to God …

TORQUEMADA

If by your holy grace I am crowned queen of Castile. How could I be crowned queen, Father? By God’s will, of course.

TORQUEMADA ISABEL

But my little brother’s the heir. He is now.

ISABEL

TORQUEMADA ISABEL

What do you mean?

TORQUEMADA

Don’t you want to be queen? I don’t want anything to happen to him. If called, will you accept?

ISABEL

TORQUEMADA ISABEL

He’s 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 wouldn’t promise?

ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA

Would God choose a king or queen who refused to make a simple commitment? ISABEL

He will. Besides, my older brother’s only in his forties.

I the King

I-1 TORQUEMADA

You mean the king — your half-brother.

ISABEL

But he has many enemies. His is a very licentious reign.

TORQUEMADA ISABEL

Why do men fight wars over who rules a kingdom if God makes the choice? TORQUEMADA

To decide who’s strong enough to defend it. God doesn’t favor weakness. Shall we get back to his business? Doesn’t God know who’s strong enough? I make this sacred promise. I make this sacred promise to God … Go on.

ISABEL

TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL

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?

TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA ISABEL

I don’t know.

I the King

I-1 TORQUEMADA

Heretics are baptized Christians who betray God — not infidels who have never been exposed to his mercy. ISABEL

Like traitors?

TORQUEMADA

Traitors who will burn in hell because they’ve undermined the Holy Catholic Church. ISABEL

The Church? Or God? TORQUEMADA

The Church is God’s 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.

Perfect.

TORQUEMADA ISABEL

Now I feel like a traitor. To the king?

TORQUEMADA

My little brother. I’m responsible for him. You must trust in God, Isabel. I always try to … I really do.

ISABEL

TORQUEMADA ISABEL TORQUEMADA

Don’t forget your promise. He surely won’t … 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, he’s 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? FERNANDO

For what purpose does My Lady summon the prince? ISABEL

He is to marry me and I want to meet him — now. You are not he? FERNANDO

May I know who My Lady is whom the prince is to marry? ISABEL

I’m Princess Isabel, heir to the holy Spanish kingdom of Castile. No one told you? No. Though I suspected as much. How? We’ve never seen each other.

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

My father told me to seek the fairest maid in Castile. Who is your father?

ISABEL

I the King

I-2 FERNANDO

The King of Aragon. Am I’m the maid you seek?

ISABEL (catching on) FERNANDO

I believe so. Though in truth I can’t be certain until I’ve inspected all the other maids in Castile. ISABEL

I can be certain you’re the dirtiest man in Castile.

FERNANDO

Muleteers always look like this. You’re a muleteer as well as a prince? In your service, My Lady.

ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

Should I need only the former, will you continue in my service? FERNANDO

As long as I serve the fairest maid in Castile.

ISABEL

Alas, I don’t intend to remain that much longer. The wedding’s five days hence. FERNANDO

Not till then? I’ve been on the road a whole week. What took so long?

ISABEL FERNANDO

We traveled only at night so we wouldn’t be seen. Except one of your guards threw down a stone and nearly broke my skull. ISABEL

He didn’t know princes of Aragon dress like muleteers. I’m also heir to the throne of Castile. Really? Shall we joust for it?

FERNANDO ISABEL

I the King

Now?

I-2 FERNANDO ISABEL

Or would you like to rest first? Have something to eat? FERNANDO

I was thinking you might give me a bath. Then we can have something to eat and discuss our rights in bed. ISABEL

There’s one difficulty. FERNANDO

I brought the dispensation. Since we’re second cousins. Your archbishop Carrillo has it. ISABEL

That’s the difficulty.

FERNANDO

It’s signed by the pope. See for yourself.

ISABEL

Archbishop Carrillo won’t let me do anything that might keep me from inheriting the crown. I’ll have a word with him. He never lets me out of his sight. That’s my responsibility now.

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

He also has more men than you. We really have to wait till Wednesday?

FERNANDO ISABEL

Actually Thursday. That’s the church wedding.

FERNANDO

I’ll just have to go into town with my men.

ISABEL

I’ll lock you in the dungeon first. I know your reputation. What reputation?

FERNANDO

I the King

I-2 ISABEL

Let’s say you’ve 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. FERNANDO

He still does. How did you father raise you?

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? ISABEL

He was an old man — old enough to be my father. All my suitors were. I’m not.

FERNANDO ISABEL

I know. How do you feel about marrying an older woman? FERNANDO

You’re only ten and a half months older.

ISABEL

But pretty headstrong. I’ll be queen proprietress. Meaning?

FERNANDO ISABEL

You’ll be king of Castile because I’m queen.

FERNANDO

We’ll see about that. I have my own claim.

I the King

You said. My father’s the nearest heir. I’m the nearest heir. You’re a girl. You’re in Castile. So? Women can inherit the crown.

I-2 ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

Who told you that? Alfonso the Wise. Who?


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

I’ll have to give that some thought. ISABEL

If you had the best claim, why did you sneak down here at night disguised as a muleteer? FERNANDO

To protect you. Your king hasn’t consented to our marriage. ISABEL

He doesn’t think Aragon would fight for him.

FERNANDO

Since you’re in danger, why don’t we get married now? ISABEL

Archbishop Carrillo wants to discuss our marriage contract with you.

I the King

I-2 FERNANDO

Carrillo again. Why can’t we just get married? Why do I have to agree to spend so many days a year in Castile? ISABEL

He’s the leader of our church. He has to protect Castile — and me — till death do us part. FERNANDO

I’ll protect Castile — and you — all by myself.

ISABEL

My warrior prince. I don’t need any archbishops.

FERNANDO

(FERNANDO has moved close.) You don’t smell like a mule.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Someone else took care of them. I slept in the wagon. ISABEL

But you do smell. If we get rid of Carrillo … What will I tell my confessor? Why tell him anything?


Can’t just kneel there without saying something.

FERNANDO

Then don’t go.

ISABEL

Not your hands!

(ISABEL pushes FERNANDO back.) You’ve got me now.

FERNANDO

I the King

I-2 ISABEL

My poor gown … I’ll take care of you.

FERNANDO ISABEL

I hope so. What do you want to do when we’re king and queen? Have lots of princes and princesses.

FERNANDO ISABEL

Is that all? Why? What do you want to do?

FERNANDO ISABEL

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. ISABEL

Our son?

FERNANDO

Women can’t inherit the crown in Aragon. I’m glad Castile is my kingdom.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Castile is much bigger, of course, but Aragon has more experience. Aragonese have been sailing the Mediterranean for generations. ISABEL

Castilians have been fighting the Moors for generations. FERNANDO

You had weak kings. They never finished the reconquest of your kingdom. They got most of it back.

ISABEL FERNANDO

But not Granada

I the King

So our son won’t be king of Granada?

I-2 ISABEL FERNANDO

No, I want to recreate Spain as it was eight hundred years ago — before the Moors conquered it. Except Portugal’s 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?

ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

Granada is part of Castile. If the Moors won’t accept us as their king and queen, we’ll have to reconquer it by force of arms. That’s what I hoped you’d say.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Then Spain will be unified once more. Our peaceful kingdom. Dedicated to God.

ISABEL FERNANDO

But ruled by us. No bishops or priests telling us what to do. We’ll need spiritual advisors.

ISABEL FERNANDO

My father and I haven’t needed them in Aragon. ISABEL

But Castile is a Christian kingdom. When I’m queen — And I’m king.

FERNANDO ISABEL

— queen proprietress, I’ll be responsible for the spiritual well-being of my subjects. FERNANDO

That’s the church’s responsibility. Corrupt as it is …

I the King

I-2 ISABEL

That’s why I need someone to advise me. Help me reform the church. FERNANDO

I’ll advise you. We’ll reform the church together.

ISABEL

How will we know what to do? We’re not holy men. We’re not learned in God’s mysteries. We don’t know anything about his church. FERNANDO

Neither do holy men. ISABEL

I can’t 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. FERNANDO

If … He can’t meddle in affairs of state. He won’t.

ISABEL FERNANDO

He’ll only advise you. He won’t make policy. We’ll make policy. Together. Just the two of us. Promise? I do. Promise you’ll love me? I love you now. I mean forever. I will. Won’t be a royal wedding.

ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

No dowry?

I the King

I-2 ISABEL

No money. Do you mind?

FERNANDO

Not if you don’t. How many children do you want? I don’t know. None until we’re married.

ISABEL

FERNANDO

All right. Just one kiss. Then I’ll go join my men.

ISABEL

Don’t you dare. I’ll be back by Wednesday. Archbishop — he’s leaving.

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 ISABEL’s family’s castle, late in 1474. Trumpets sound offstage.) VOICE OF A HERALD (offstage)

Castile, Castile for the queen and proprietress, Doña 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.) ISABEL

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.)

It really happened, Father. I can’t believe it. TORQUEMADA

You should be awed by God’s will, Isabel —

ISABEL

Please call me your highness.

TORQUEMADA

But never surprised … Your Highness. (TALAVERA appears. He’s in his mid-forties, some eight years younger than TORQUEMADA.)

I the King

I-3 TALAVERA

Your Highness?

ISABEL

Yes?

TALAVERA

I was told you were seeking a confessor. Am I interrupting? ISABEL

No, come in. (TALAVERA enters.) I’m Brother Talavera. Torquemada.

TALAVERA TORQUEMADA ISABEL

Excuse me. I have to catch my breath. I’ve just been crowned queen of Castile. Yes, I saw it. Was I … Regal? Yes, that’s what I meant.

TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA

Very much so. My crown was straight? Perfect.

ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL

When I bowed my head I thought it was going to fall off. TALAVERA

People were wondering about Don Fernando. Was he there?

I the King

I-3 ISABEL

He’s in Aragon presiding over their parliament. But I didn’t want to wait. Things are so unsettled. TALAVERA

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.) ISABEL

Confessor and spiritual advisor both. My faith has always been a source of strength to me, but now I’m going to need it more than ever. The Dominican who just left …

TALAVERA ISABEL

A very holy priest but not well educated. I understand you have a baccalaureate? Theology. Would I also serve the king?

TALAVERA ISABEL

You’ll have to ask him. His faith is — well, you’ll see for yourself. TALAVERA

Not as strong as yours? ISABEL

He says he was put here to negotiate state affairs, not discharge his conscience. What’s the state of his conscience?

TALAVERA ISABEL

It could use some help. But I’m more worried about my subjects. As queen I’m responsible for their well-being. Do you think the church is ministering to them? TALAVERA

What do you think? ISABEL

I hear of priests who’ve never read the bible. Is that true? Most of them are illiterate.

TALAVERA

I the King

I-3 ISABEL

You don’t have to be literate to hold confession. Or preach to people who want to know God. They say some priests don’t even live in their parish. I’ve 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

But isn’t the Vatican responsible for appointments? ISABEL

That’s the problem. They’re usually choose the highest bidder instead of the most qualified. TALAVERA

If they could be persuaded to accept your recommendations … ISABEL

That’s what I want to do. You decide who’s qualified, and the king and I will refuse to accept anyone else. We could reform the whole church.

TALAVERA ISABEL

If we work together. But our court will be moving about the kingdom. You’ll have to leave your monastery. TALAVERA

I brought my things with me. Then you can start right away? As soon as I’ve heard your confession. That’s a strange request. A matter of prudence — for both of us.

ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA

I the King

I-3

Very well. Shall we do it now?

ISABEL TALAVERA

If you’re prepared.

(ISABEL kneels. TALAVERA perches on throne chair.) It’s customary for both parties to kneel.

ISABEL TALAVERA

As God’s minister, it’s proper for me to sit while penitents kneel — whatever their status in life. ISABEL

Status? I’m your queen. And I do not think this is proper. TALAVERA

I’m sorry. You refuse to kneel with me? I’m still God’s minister.

ISABEL TALAVERA

(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 I’ve 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?

ISABEL

As king.

FERNANDO

But you’re queen proprietress. ISABEL

I was the heir.

FERNANDO

I’m the heir. Or at least my father is. I should be king proprietor. We’ve been through all this.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Besides, you’re my wife. Your rights should be subordinate to mine. (TALAVERA starts to enter.) FERNANDO (cont.)

Who’s that?

I the King

I-4 ISABEL

Father Talavera, my new confessor. Yours too if you’d like. FERNANDO

Just what I need.

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. FERNANDO

Talavera, do you not think it unnatural that a woman should inherit the crown instead of her husband? Not if that’s the law of the kingdom.

TALAVERA 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? Nothing’s going to happen to me.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Even if the king of Portugal claims the crown? He has no claim. He thinks he does. He’s a doddering old fool.


Maybe you should have married him after all. What a hurtful thing to say. How do you think I feel?


You’re my king, Fernando. My lord. My husband. I love you.

I the King

I-4 FERNANDO

He may be an old fool, but he’s about to make war on you. ISABEL

He’ll never win. What makes you so sure?

FERNANDO ISABEL

God doesn’t favor weakness.

FERNANDO

He has many of your nobles on his side. But I have you.

ISABEL FERNANDO

We’d be fighting to hold onto what we already have. Which means there wouldn’t be any spoils of war. Castilians won’t fight without spoils. They’ll 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. FERNANDO

Even when my excellent and worthy wife has decided I’m inferior to her? Not so, My Lord. I can never be king in my own right.

ISABEL FERNANDO TALAVERA

Only a Council of Jurists can change the law of succession. However, should one be convened, what would you say to them? FERNANDO

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.

I the King

I-4 TALAVERA

I suspect the jurists might feel threatened by that statement. Castilians are very suspicious of foreigners. My family is Castilian.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

But you’re a prince of Aragon. Your Highness, now that you’re queen, how would you address the council? ISABEL

First I’d say this to my husband: Considering our love and mutual interests, there’s no reason for you to raise this issue. You’re king of Castile and your orders will be obeyed. We will reign jointly, in mutual respect, each equal to the other. TALAVERA

Each equal to the other should be the royal motto. ISABEL

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

It doesn’t matter to either of you that I’ll be the jest of every king in Europe. ISABEL

No, you won’t, Fernando. Whatever the council decides, I’ll sign powers of attorney so you have all the rights I do. TALAVERA

As you should do when you become king of Aragon. FERNANDO

Except Aragon will never accept our daughter as heir. Then go sire a male heir.

TALAVERA

I the King

I-4 FERNANDO

Men don’t determine the sex of their children. Not that you would know ... ISABEL

But I do. Thank you, Father, for your wise counsel. Try a woman as pope sometime.

FERNANDO

(TALAVERA goes off.) You might learn something. ISABEL

Come, Fernando. It’s late. You’ve had a hard journey. (ISABEL leads FERNANDO off.)

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.) ISABEL

Juana’s going to walk soon. Watching her big brother. He’s quite a show-off.

FERNANDO ISABEL

Juan is her prince ideal.

(TORQUEMADA and TALAVERA enter as ISABEL waves them in.) Who’s 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. TORQUEMADA

This heresy has infected your entire kingdom.

FERNANDO

Some ancestor converted from Judaism.

TORQUEMADA

Since it is practiced secretly, the only way to eliminate it is by inquisition. FERNANDO

The only rituals they know are Christian. Your Highness, God is waiting.

TORQUEMADA

I the King

I-5 ISABEL

Father Talavera, tell us about your mission to Seville. Did you find conversos practicing Jewish rituals? TALAVERA

Most conversos are good Christians. But since I don’t know how they behave in private, I teach them never to be a source of scandal. ISABEL

Meaning?

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. TORQUEMADA

A Catholic body cannot survive bearing the seed of Judaism. TALAVERA

But teaching and charity can change their ways.

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

Thank you, Fathers. If you could leave us alone … (TORQUEMADA and TALAVERA move away or off.) FERNANDO

Dominicans … They call any Christian with Jewish blood a converso. That’s half the kingdom. How many can be practicing Jewish rituals? ISABEL

That’s what the inquisition is to determine. We have conversos in our service. Which ones are heretics.

FERNANDO ISABEL

I the King

I-5 FERNANDO

Jews too, for that matter. Haven’t 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

FERNANDO

I know Torquemada was your confessor, but I don’t trust him. And neither do the conversos. If they’re good Christians …

ISABEL FERNANDO

Suppose someone swears they overheard me praying for the return of the Jewish messiah. They throw me in prison, confiscate my property, but won’t tell me who my accuser is. How can I prove I’m a good Christian? ISABEL

Swear the accusation is false. Produce your own witnesses. FERNANDO

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?

ISABEL FERNANDO

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 don’t want Torquemada destroying what we accomplished in the name of suppressing heresy. Do you? ISABEL

I agree, Fernando. The crown is secure. Our kingdom at peace. Thanks to you.

I the King

I-5 FERNANDO

Me? Who rode for three days to tell the Knights of Santiago to elect their king as their master? I’m still amazed they did it. So are the Knights of Santiago.


But there’s one task remaining. The reconquest of Granada.

FERNANDO ISABEL

Before the Turks reach our shores. And join hands with the Moors. FERNANDO

It’ll be a lot harder than the Portuguese. Moors are holy warriors, defenders of Islam. Castilians are brave enough, but they’ve never learned to hold their shields together. ISABEL

That’s 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 they’re very sensuous about their faith. They’ll hold their shields together if they’re 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. FERNANDO

Forget the heretics — they’re aren’t that many. But they are a lot of Moors. ISABEL

A Catholic body cannot survive bearing the seed of heresy. What Catholic body?

FERNANDO

I the King

I-5 ISABEL

Our kingdom. Our crusade. We can’t fight a holy war in Granada while apostates in Seville are undermining our faith. FERNANDO

Undermining the church maybe. The Vatican’s authority. How do they undermine our faith? ISABEL

Look what happened to the poor people of Constantinople. FERNANDO

Weren’t they good Christians?

ISABEL

They cut themselves off from the Holy Catholic Church. FERNANDO

That’s why they were defeated by the Turks?

ISABEL

I have to do this, Fernando — the inquisition.

(holding out the proclamation) If you love me, you’ll understand. FERNANDO (reluctantly)

I love you … But I don’t understand. ISABEL

If you want to cross out Aragon … No.

FERNANDO

(FERNANDO takes the proclamation and signs it without making any changes.) FERNANDO (cont.)

We promised each other we’d create one kingdom.

(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

I-5 TORQUEMADA

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?

FERNANDO ISABEL

I woke up screaming again.

FERNANDO

The sentries thought you’d been attacked. It’s always the same dream. How are the children? Still sleeping. Will this war never end?


Soon — if we can get the Moors to surrender.

ISABEL

After ten years of slaughter? FERNANDO

Go back to Seville, Isabel. Go back to the court. It’s not safe here. Without you? You know I can’t leave.


You have generals. The Great Captain can lead the army.

I the King

I-6 FERNANDO

The Moors have to see me out front if they’re going to accept me as their king. No one’s ever doubted your courage.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Remember that first battle against the Portuguese? They retreated inside the castle and I didn’t have any siege equipment? You were furious. ISABEL

I was worried. FERNANDO

Accused me of cowardice. In front of my men. You know I didn’t believe it.

ISABEL FERNANDO

But I had to make sure my men didn’t believe it. And the Moors are no different. They have to accept me as their queen.

ISABEL FERNANDO

They will. When we walk arm-in-arm through the streets of Granada Besides, I’m your quartermaster.

ISABEL FERNANDO

At least send the children back — before they start having their own nightmares. ISABEL

You don’t have nightmares? I’m a soldier. You were nearly killed.


You mean that first attack? Ten years ago? You never even told me about it. It never happened again.

ISABEL FERNANDO

I the King

I-6 ISABEL

I had to hear it from the Marquis of Cadiz. He said he’d saved you from being decapitated. All I could think about was four children nearly lost their father that day. And that’s what you dream about?

FERNANDO ISABEL

Only it’s night. A moonless night. You’re stretched out on the ground. I’m kneeling beside you, groping for your face. If I can touch your lips, I know you’ll move them. Kiss my fingers. Whisper something. That’ll convince them you’re still alive. FERNANDO

Am I? ISABEL

Juan is trying to tell me something. I shush him. He’s all right, Angel. My fingers have just found your neck when I hear him sob. Mama, he says, what happened to his head? FERNANDO

And that’s when you wake up screaming? It’s a dirty war, Isabel. Moors don’t practice chivalry. It’s a holy war.

ISABEL FERNANDO

I’ve 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 don’t know. Maybe he needed permission. My father always told me to ask the Virgin’s blessing before battle. While I still had time. So you didn’t hesitate?

ISABEL FERNANDO

I gave him a chance, but he wouldn’t 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

I-6 ISABEL

Keep their religion? Why?

FERNANDO

If they lay down their arms and surrender.

ISABEL

That’s not what we said. It could be over in a few weeks.

FERNANDO ISABEL

We told everyone we’d dedicate our kingdom to God. Expel all enemies of the faith. FERNANDO

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. ISABEL

Shouldn’t we ask —

FERNANDO

Your confessors? Talavera will agree, but if you make him the archbishop he’ll want to keep the inquisition out of Granada. Which Father Torquemada will object to.

ISABEL

FERNANDO

Of course. He’ll ask who won the war. Which clearly we did since the Moors are our subjects. But he’ll say God didn’t win. And I’ll say, Maybe your God … You will not.

ISABEL FERNANDO

I know — he’s got his quest. Hates the Jews, but the inquisition can’t get at them because they’re 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?

ISABEL FERNANDO

Right now all I can think about is my quest — finishing the war. As soon I can. ISABEL

Do what you have to, Fernando. You’re in charge. Just get it over with.

I the King

I-6 FERNANDO

Then go pack up the children. They’re 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.) ISABEL

I never imagined anything could be so magnificent. TALAVERA

Moors say Granada is the greatest city in Islam.

ISABEL

Our palaces are poorhouses compared to the Alhambra. I like the baths. Almost sinful, aren’t they?


Not to a soldier. Talavera, tell me again. What did your commission decide about the Enterprise of the Indies? It’s 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

I-7 TALAVERA

Whatever we consider, Your Highness, the Ocean Sea will remain God’s mystery. Man cannot fathom it. So it’s arrogant for Colombo to try?

FERNANDO ISABEL

He was arrogant even with us. Demanding a noble title — we were right to refuse him. FERNANDO

Where’s he going now? Did anyone hear? The king of France.

TALAVERA FERNANDO

Really? France? You know, his enterprise wouldn’t cost us that much. ISABEL

Admiral of the Ocean Sea? Viceroy and governor of everything he discovers? I meant real costs. A share of all trading revenues?


But we’d get rich off the trade — instead of Venice. Silks, spices, even gold. He has to have supplies. Pay his crew.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Our treasurer has it all worked out. Shall I have him talk with you? ISABEL

You really think we should do it? Father, would you object too much? TALAVERA

I can’t recommend the enterprise, but I won’t condemn it. FERNANDO

Saint Augustine has doubts but not that many.

ISABEL

We should write him an introduction to the Great Khan of Cathay. FERNANDO

Better recall him before he reaches France.

I the King

I-7 ISABEL

I’ll send someone right away. (ISABEL goes off.)

FERNANDO

Granada has forty years of immunity from the inquisition. Two generations to become God-fearing Christians. TALAVERA

I’m most gratified.

FERNANDO

The more converts you make, the better for all of us. Especially the Moors.

TALAVERA FERNANDO

You’re the archbishop. Everyone will be looking to you. (ISABEL returns.) ISABEL

Did I miss anything?

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. ISABEL

Nasty business. I thought we were done with it.

(TALAVERA is reading the proclamation.) You’re expelling the Jews?

TALAVERA ISABEL

Only if they refuse to be baptized. We haven’t signed the proclamation.

FERNANDO

Can’t have rioting after every inquisition.

ISABEL

I the King

The inquisition encourages violence.

I-7 TALAVERA ISABEL

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. He’s the Grand Inquisitor. FERNANDO

I’d like to hear what you think. Do you know who the accused were? TALAVERA

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

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. FERNANDO

And they were burned at the stake with the conversos? TALAVERA

Indeed they were — the first non-Christians condemned by the inquisition. How old was the boy they crucified? About three.


Three years old?

I the King

Maybe four. Who were his parents?

I-7 TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA

Apparently he was an orphan. Never identified by name. Did they find his body? All the graves they dug up were empty.


How do they know he was from La Guardia? Presumably from secret testimony.

TALAVERA ISABEL

A nameless child … Or confessions under torture. How do they even know it was a boy?

TALAVERA ISABEL FERNANDO

That’s what the Jews are asking themselves. They think the inquisition contrived the whole incident. ISABEL

Why? FERNANDO

Convince us they can’t suppress heresy while the Jews are abetting it. We have to expel them. ISABEL

For which they condemned six innocent people? Is that true, Father? More than six.

TALAVERA ISABEL

What do you think we should do?

I the King

I-7

Who’s your confessor now?

TALAVERA ISABEL

I haven’t appointed one yet.

FERNANDO

Two rabbis in our service offered thirty thousand ducats. If we let the Jews stay. ISABEL

Maybe we should accept it. What do you think, Father? TALAVERA

That’s between you and God, Your Highness.

FERNANDO

Just between us mortals — do you think we should expel the Jews? TALAVERA

After promising the Moors they can stay?

(TORQUEMADA bursts in, pulling his crucifix from around his neck, which he brandishes at FERNANDO.) TORQUEMADA

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 ISABEL’s feet and storms off. ISABEL stares at the crucifix.) My God …

ISABEL

(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

I-7 TORQUEMADA

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 FERNANDO’s name.) Signed I the Queen, Isabel.

TORQUEMADA (cont.)

(TORQUEMADA signs ISABEL’s 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.

TALAVERA

Well, I’m here now. Rode as fast as I could. ISABEL

I can’t make a proper confession. I’m still too upset. TALAVERA

Why don’t we just sit and you tell me what happened? The king was nearly assassinated.

ISABEL TALAVERA

So I understood. Do you know by whom?

ISABEL

One of his own subjects. A peasant named … I can’t remember now. It’s not important.

TALAVERA ISABEL

My lord was leaving the House of Deputies — he’d been negotiating with the French for the return of Aragon’s provinces. This maniac sneaked up behind him … Take your time.

TALAVERA

I the King

I-8 ISABEL

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 peasant’s life?

TALAVERA ISABEL

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

But wasn’t? ISABEL

I rushed to my lord’s side but couldn’t 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? I’d just given it to him.

TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA

He was wearing it? Saved his life.

ISABEL TALAVERA

Was the king conscious when you saw him?

ISABEL

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. TALAVERA

You were with him the whole time, of course.

ISABEL

Praying without cease for his recovery. I was overcome seeing him suffer so much. TALAVERA

The current festivities suggest your prayers were granted.

I the King

I-8 ISABEL

That’s for the treaty. The French have just signed it. TALAVERA

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? ISABEL

I don’t 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. TALAVERA

I’m most gratified that Don Fernando has recovered. He’s a good Christian and a good king. And a very good husband.

ISABEL TALAVERA

But my question to you is, Have you recovered? ISABEL

I told you, Father. I wasn’t injured. I wasn’t even present. When my lord so needed me … You seem to have suffered more. He didn’t deserve to suffer at all.

TALAVERA ISABEL

I the King

But you did?

I-8 TALAVERA ISABEL

I believed what my lord and I had accomplished — a peaceful kingdom dedicated to God — was a very worthy achievement. But … It’s not so peaceful now?

TALAVERA ISABEL

My heart was too full of pride. I forgot it is only with God’s 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. Who’s your new confessor? Father Cisneros. The Franciscan?

TALAVERA ISABEL TALAVERA ISABEL

Though he wants to stay in his monastery. He believes living at court would corrupt him. TALAVERA

A very learned man. But considered overly zealous and somewhat lacking in sympathy. ISABEL

I don’t need sympathy, Father. I need to get on with what I have to do while I still have time.

I the King

I-8 TALAVERA

After defeating the Moors and expelling the Jews — They could have converted. What’s left to do?


The monastic orders have strayed far from their rules. Father Cisneros knows how to correct them. He’s already done it in his own monastery TALAVERA

But is he the best man to be your confessor?

ISABEL

Of course he doesn’t know me as well as you …

TALAVERA

Some people tend to rely on their confessors more than they should. ISABEL

He’s surely more learned than I in God’s mysteries. But you’re more vulnerable. Why do you say that, Father?


Why do you ask me to make a list of your shortcomings? ISABEL

I told you — he doesn’t know me as well as you. Will you do this for me? If you insist. Only if I insist?


Moors need my undivided attention. But I know how easily one loses faith after violence. I nearly lost my husband.

ISABEL TALAVERA

And Cisneros may not be as comforting as you would like …

I the King

I-8 (ISABEL and TALAVERA go off together.)

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.) FERNANDO

Rodrigo Borja wants to revive the Holy League. To reconquer Jerusalem?

ISABEL FERNANDO

To get the French army out of the Vatican. But then it will invade Naples. ISABEL

I wondered why he was being so nice to us. FERNANDO

He’s a proper subject of Aragon. Wouldn’t be pope but for us. ISABEL

But proclaiming us his Catholic Monarchs … We’re too young to be saints.

FERNANDO ISABEL

Has a nice sound, don’t you think? Isabel the Catholic? Fernando the — what are you smiling at? Was I smiling?

FERNANDO ISABEL

I suppose it’s Aragon’s time now. We’ve done what we promised in Castile. Naples does belong to Aragon.

FERNANDO

I the King

I-9 ISABEL

Except for one little matter …

FERNANDO

Which one is that?

ISABEL

It can wait. Does this mean war?

FERNANDO

If the French king crowns himself emperor of Naples. Some things can’t be negotiated. (FERNANDO and ISABEL start playing.) ISABEL

Great Captain will lead the army? My armor doesn’t fit anymore.

FERNANDO ISABEL

It’s our kingdom. And our pope.

FERNANDO ISABEL

Just never mind. I can go ahead and negotiate alliances?

FERNANDO

You’re the diplomat of the family. Why?

ISABEL

FERNANDO

The emperor has a son. Good for the emperor. Archduke of Austria. Family’s Austrian. Future Holy Roman emperor.


I the King

Must be the heir. And only five years older than Juana. Fernando — Juana’s still a child. I meant in the future.

I-9 ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

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 children’s ages? Standard tools of diplomacy. Children? Or their ages?

ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

Both, actually. Any plan for the babies?

ISABEL

I the King

The ten- and twelve-year-old babies? Catalina’s only nine. Like Henry Tudor’s son. The prince of Wales? No problem with her temperament. What about Maria? She’s our reserve.

I-9 FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

To be committed if … Isabelica becomes a nun. Princesses don’t become nuns. Wouldn’t bother me. Trust me with the whole plan? Juan’s king of Spain. And the girls …

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

Queen of Portugal. Holy Roman empress. Queen of England. ISABEL

Juan rules the world. Juan and his sisters.

FERNANDO

I the King

I-9

You’re king of Jerusalem?

ISABEL FERNANDO

If you’re queen. What was your one little matter?

ISABEL

Father Cisneros.

FERNANDO

As? Archbishop of Toledo.

ISABEL

(Music stops. The game is forgotten.) Don’t do it, Isabel. No one’s more qualified. You don’t know him. My confessor for the last two years? He’ll tear the kingdom apart.

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

Who would you recommend? Your archbishop of Zaragoza? FERNANDO

He’s got the experience. ISABEL

Having been archbishop since the age of nine.

FERNANDO

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

He needn’t have been so bull-headed about it. Refusing to hear their protests.

I the King

Some things can’t be negotiated. Forcing them into exile. They made a promise to God.

I-9 ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

I don’t 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 couldn’t prohibit bathing — our subjects would be outraged. But the archbishop of Toledo speaks for God Almighty. ISABEL

I want the archbishop of Toledo to do right no matter who’s outraged. FERNANDO

Just don’t forget to bar the door. Inquisitors don’t knock when they come to arrest you. ISABEL

Father Cisneros was once arrested for demanding a parish he’d 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?

FERNANDO ISABEL

Which he never got. Became a monk instead. He liked the solitude. FERNANDO

I don’t trust anyone that zealous. And neither does Rodrigo Borja. He’ll never agree to a hair shirt who sleeps on a board with no mattress. ISABEL

And no mistress and no children. He’ll agree all right. He needs us to rescue him from the French. FERNANDO

At least keep Cisneros away from the Moors.

ISABEL

He’ll do what we tell him, Fernando. If you want him to stay out of Granada —

I the King

I-9 FERNANDO

I do.

ISABEL

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. FERNANDO

Worthless king ...

(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 … FERNANDO

You’re worried about the children? How they might feel? (END OF ACT I)

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.) ISABEL

Admiral says the storm is over. I have to go ashore. JUANA

Oh, Mama, please don’t go. Don't leave me alone. ISABEL

You have your whole retinue. JUANA

How can I be archduchess of Austria? I don’t speak the language. You have translators. Tutors. Why can’t I be queen of Portugal? King Manuel chose your sister Isabelica. I’ve never been with a man.

ISABEL JUANA ISABEL JUANA ISABEL

He’s always been very taken with her. From the time she married their prince.

I the King

II-1 JUANA

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. You’re beautiful. The brightest of all our children. Can’t I stay with you?

JUANA ISABEL

Your father promised the emperor you’d marry his son. JUANA

Juan’s marrying his daughter. Isn’t that enough?

ISABEL

Just think — someday you'll be the Holy Roman empress. JUANA

If I can't be an archduchess, how can I be an empress? ISABEL

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

But no less a stranger. In those days Aragon was as foreign as Austria. At least he spoke Spanish.

JUANA ISABEL

And unlike you we had to marry in secrecy. Why? Were you eloping?

JUANA ISABEL

The king hadn’t approved our marriage. And since I was his heir …

I the King

II-1

I thought his daughter was his heir. The king didn’t have a daughter.

JUANA ISABEL JUANA

Isabelica said she met her. At the court in Portugal. ISABEL

He was impotent. He couldn’t have children. How do you know that?

JUANA ISABEL

Everyone knew. That’s why his first marriage was annulled. So if I don't have children …

JUANA ISABEL

You’re a princess, Juana. You have a special heritage to pass on. JUANA

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)

I really should be going … The admiral … (ISABEL starts to leave.) JUANA

What was it like, Mama? When you first met Papa? Were you scared? A little. Was he beautiful?

ISABEL JUANA ISABEL

He was a filthy mess. But I fell in love with him anyway. You married for love? God smiled on me.

JUANA ISABEL

I the King

I wish he’d smile on me. Ask him. Maybe he will.

II-1 JUANA ISABEL JUANA

You didn’t 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 he’s lying. Though he’s very skilled. So you were living in sin?

JUANA ISABEL

We got the dispensation later. JUANA

Doesn’t that make Isabelica a bastard? She was conceived right away, wasn’t she? Does King Manuel know? You’d have to ask your father.

ISABEL JUANA

I guess you didn’t mind his having children.

ISABEL

I accepted the ones before we were married. JUANA

There were others? Oh, Mama — what did you do? ISABEL

I couldn’t very well blame the children, could I? Though I wouldn’t allow their mothers at court. And I refused to let his son lead the Castilian church, although he’d been archbishop of Zaragoza since the age of nine. Dear Papa. My knight in armor.

JUANA

I the King

II-1

He was my knight before he was yours. I may never see him again.

ISABEL JUANA ISABEL

The French invaded Aragon. He's their king.

JUANA

You're their queen.

ISABEL

But Castile takes all my time. And as the future empress you’re about to become its most esteemed princess. JUANA

I don’t think so.

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.) I’ll pray for you, Juana. Don’t 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 shepherd’s widow whose son was beaten — you’re sure it was the duke’s men? That’s where they found her sheep.

FERNANDO ISABEL

I was falling asleep.

FERNANDO

You haven’t recovered from Juan and Margaret’s wedding. Why not take a few days in a convent? ISABEL

One last petitioner? Is he wearing sackcloth?

FERNANDO

And now carries a scourge to flay himself.

ISABEL

FERNANDO

Poor Colombo. Had he reached the Orient as he claims, he’d be dressed like one of the Great Khan’s noblemen. And you, My Lady, would be wearing silk. ISABEL

If he goes back, Fernando, we can’t let him enslave any more Indians. Except rebels.

FERNANDO ISABEL

The Moors haven’t rebelled. Maybe we ought to send Father Talavera to the Indies.

I the King

II-2 FERNANDO

Do you realize the only profit we’ve made in five years is from selling slaves? ISABEL

We didn’t sell Moors to pay for the reconquest. They’re not idol worshippers.

FERNANDO ISABEL

Can’t blame the Indians just because they never heard of the Holy Spirit. We have to teach them Christianity. We don’t speak the same language. We have to teach them Spanish. Do I sense another crusade? A crusade for the soul of the Indians.

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

Talavera hasn’t converted many Moors in the crusade for their soul. My Lord?

ISABEL FERNANDO

All right, Isabel. No more slaves. We’ll take care of it when you get back from the convent. ISABEL

And we’ll educate them? FERNANDO

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 he’s no governor.


He’s really an explorer. But let’s give him one more chance.

I the King

II-2 FERNANDO

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

ISABEL FERNANDO

The Portuguese think there’s a continent down there. Really? Who would it belong to?

ISABEL FERNANDO

Portugal, if it’s this side of the demarcation line we agreed on. If it’s the other side, or we settle it first ... ISABEL

I hope we won’t do anything to betray their friendship. Of course not.

FERNANDO ISABEL

Isabelica will become their queen in a few months. FERNANDO

Speaking of which, wasn’t Margaret the most beautiful bride? ISABEL

Did you notice her pearl and ruby necklace? Your wedding present to me? That’s why I was thinking of you.

FERNANDO ISABEL

Been an interesting journey. Certainly has. No regrets? Not me. Me either. No more nightmares?

FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

I the King

Maybe one … What? It’s not ... Out with it. I so wanted to give you another son.

II-2 ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

Isabel — you gave me a son and four beautiful daughters. Margaret makes five. ISABEL

They can’t inherit your crown. Aragonese don’t think women are good enough to rule them. FERNANDO

Juan will inherit both our crowns.. He’s never had your constitution.

ISABEL FERNANDO

It’s not as though he’s moving to another kingdom. Or is it Juana you’re worried about? ISABEL

Not one letter. In almost a year. She’s never forgiven me. FERNANDO

You need a weekend with the nuns. Forget the world. You really don’t have any regrets? Well, maybe one … I told you mine.


Then you’ll be off to the convent? What is it?

ISABEL

I the King

II-2 FERNANDO

I don’t 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 don’t let me change your mind. ISABEL

Oh, Fernando. It’ll be profitable someday. You’ll see … Do you ever wonder why all the explorers are either Italian or Portuguese? FERNANDO

I suppose it’s what they do best. What we do best is govern. ISABEL

Govern? Or conquer? Don’t 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.) ISABEL

He’s dead, isn’t he? Oh, God, have mercy on us. Have mercy on Juan. FERNANDO

He was in peace, Isabel. He wasn’t in any pain. My angel. Nineteen years old.

ISABEL FERNANDO

He wanted me to tell you he knew death was inevitable. Dying young he’d avoid all the disappointments of life. He learned that from reading the ancients. We’re not to mourn. Especially you. I’m all right, Fernando. How are you?

ISABEL FERNANDO

I didn’t know what to do. He asked me to entrust him to God. I didn’t know how. You were there when he needed you.

ISABEL FERNANDO

My only son. I was saying goodbye to him for the last time and I ... His dying request ... ISABEL

It was Juan who was saying goodbye. God had called him. FERNANDO (recovering) That’s what I told Juan. He was in God’s 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?

I the King

II-3

On the plains of Granada.

FERNANDO ISABEL

He reminded me of my little brother the day he was crowned. Your brother was crowned?

FERNANDO ISABEL

After the king announced he wasn’t 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. FERNANDO

His death was a sign? Because the king was still alive? ISABEL

Did you know Castile has never been ruled by a virgin queen? FERNANDO

When did this happen? Your brother’s death?

ISABEL

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

II-3 ISABEL

No, but it was one of his favorites. He used to recite it while playing the guitar … Shouldn’t we go tell Isabelica? FERNANDO

We will. It’s been so long since she was happy.

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 hadn’t heard from you in weeks. The king of Portugal had declared war … ISABEL

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 I’d disappointed you — but how pleased you’d be that I was carrying your son — when the horse stumbled and threw me. The pain was ... That’s when you lost him?

FERNANDO ISABEL

I shouldn’t have been riding after dark … He would have been our heir. FERNANDO

We don’t have to worry about that right now. ISABEL

I ordered a coffin for him. Three months ago. I couldn’t tell you. Juan?

FERNANDO ISABEL

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. FERNANDO

Let her enjoy her wedding a while longer.

I the King

Juan didn’t get to enjoy his very long.

II-3 ISABEL FERNANDO

They were the happiest six months of his life. She has to know. She’s the heir now. Maybe not. Margaret’s pregnant. Margaret? Juan said it was a gift specially for you. A gift? For me?

ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO

So you wouldn’t grieve too much. ISABEL

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?


Entrusted Juan to God. He’s probably smiling down on you right now. Wondering at such wisdom in one so young. You really think he’s there?

FERNANDO ISABEL

I’m sure of it. With my little brother. And maybe his own brother. FERNANDO

I hope so. Isabel, can we say a prayer for Margaret?

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. They’re in their late forties.) ISABEL

My Lord, I don’t see why you have to take up the sword. FERNANDO

I’m their king, Isabel. The Moors are our subjects. The Great Captain is perfectly competent.

ISABEL

(CISNEROS enters quietly. He’s in his mid-sixties.) FERNANDO

I need him to defend Naples from the French. Will you never be too old? I’m in the prime of my life.

ISABEL FERNANDO

(Stepping forward, CISNEROS awkwardly knocks FERNANDO’s sword down and scrambles to pick it up.) Almost fifty.

ISABEL FERNANDO

This is my last campaign. Promise. ISABEL

I thought your armor didn’t fit you anymore.

CISNEROS

Your Highnesses, if I may, I’d like to volunteer my services. Father Cisneros, please — not you too.

ISABEL

I the King

II-4 CISNEROS

Having had some part in causing the Moors to rebel. We have more than enough chaplains. I’d like to lead the men in battle. You’re forbidden to kill, Father.

FERNANDO CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS

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

FERNANDO

We’ve already paid dearly enough for your rashness.

CISNEROS (to ISABEL) Your Highness asked me to increase the number of conversions. ISABEL

You insisted Father Talavera was too lenient.

CISNEROS

Root out the heresy. You promised you could do better.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Something I never understood — why did you forbid Talavera to translate the bible into Arabic? CISNEROS

Casting pearls before swine. The bible wasn’t written for laymen. FERNANDO

And your polyglot bible? CISNEROS

Shows the original Hebrew or Greek alongside the Latin. Nothing the people can understand.

FERNANDO CISNEROS

People have little reverence for what they understand. That’s why we teach in parables. FERNANDO

Did you know any swine before you went to Granada?

I the King

You mean Moors?

II-4 CISNEROS FERNANDO

You know, the people who make things. Like the clothes I’m wearing. My armor. My sword. Used to be our conquerors. I don’t recall any.

CISNEROS FERNANDO

The ones you baptized — did they speak Spanish? CISNEROS

I don’t know. There were so many, we had to sprinkle the holy water from a parapet. FERNANDO

So you don’t know if they became true Christians. You gave them no instruction. That’s for the inquisition to determine.

CISNEROS FERNANDO

Ah, yes, the pious trap. If they take baths, they’re not infidels anymore — they’re heretics. Grist for the inquisition’s mill. ISABEL

Father, do the Moors believe in patron saints? I don’t know what they believe.

CISNEROS FERNANDO

They believe you forced them to convert.

CISNEROS

They had a choice. They could emigrate.

FERNANDO

Meaning they converted of their own free will?

CISNEROS

According to canon law. Not that it matters. The alternative to baptism isn’t emigration or even death — it’s damnation. The Moors might say paradise.

FERNANDO

I the King

II-4 CISNEROS

That’s 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. FERNANDO

Unfortunately, Isabel and I can’t put them out of our mind. They’ve destroyed the peace of our kingdom. (buckling on his sword) Now, like the Jews, they really will have to convert. Or leave. CISNEROS

I can help you. I’ve already converted fifty thousand Moors. FERNANDO

By bribing them. Turning their mosques into churches. Tearing down their baths. CISNEROS

Talavera himself said this was a greater triumph than Your Highness’s. FERNANDO

You burned their manuscripts — their holy books. You conquered their soil —

CISNEROS FERNANDO

A man of letters. I conquered their soul.

CISNEROS FERNANDO

You destroyed in a few days the peace we spent years acquiring. (FERNANDO marches off.) Father, I don’t 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.) JUANA

Philip? My husband? My lord? My love? Can you hear me? Come back — please. Mama’s 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.) ISABEL

She went outside yesterday morning and refused to come back in. Parading back and forth in front of the townspeople. In her nightclothes. FERNANDO

Why didn’t the guards pick her up and carry her inside? ISABEL

Why did they wait a day to notify me? They’re calling her Juana the Mad. Her own people. Their future queen. They think she’s crazy. What should we do?

FERNANDO ISABEL

I was hoping you’d think of something. If Philip hadn’t left her to have the baby all alone … Which now she neglects. Don’t worry. We’ll raise him.

FERNANDO ISABEL

But she’s not crazy. Though I won’t mention the names she called me. Out there all night … Miracle she didn’t catch her death from the cold. FERNANDO

It’s you the doctors are worried about. All her crying and acting up — you can’t get any rest.

I the King

II-5 ISABEL

Certainly not when you’re in Aragon.

FERNANDO

Why don’t you lie down? Let me speak to her.

(ISABEL goes off. FERNANDO calls to JUANA.) Princess? Can we talk?

FERNANDO (cont.)

(JUANA reappears.) JUANA

Oh, Papa, I’m sorry. About what?

FERNANDO JUANA

I’ve disgraced you. Everyone thinks I’m mad. Am I, Papa? Am I crazy? FERNANDO

No, Juana, you’re not crazy. But nobody understands you. JUANA

No one listens to me.

FERNANDO

Even me, sometimes. I should have let Isabelica become a nun. She knew she’d never survive childbirth.

JUANA

FERNANDO

You would have been queen of Portugal. Married to Manuel instead of … Philip says it’s a curse to be your heir. A curse? Don’t be angry, Papa. Succeed your mother as queen?

JUANA FERNANDO JUANA FERNANDO JUANA

He meant how Juan and his baby and Isabelica and her baby …

I the King

I think it’s an honor.

II-5 FERNANDO JUANA

But I don’t care if I die. I wasn’t meant for this life. FERNANDO

All our children, you were the one who was different. JUANA

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. FERNANDO

You wouldn’t have been happy as Manuel’s consort? JUANA

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 I’d chosen him myself, I know he’d treat me differently. Wouldn’t lock me in my room when he gets angry. Go fornicate with one of his — I’m sorry, Papa. That just slipped out. I’m sorry too.

FERNANDO JUANA

Mama told me she rejected all the men she was supposed to marry because they were too old. FERNANDO

And wouldn’t let any of you marry older men.

JUANA

That’s what I mean. She chose her husband but wouldn’t let any of us choose ours. I always wanted to make my own choices. I understand. You do?

FERNANDO JUANA

I the King

You don’t want to be queen.

II-5 FERNANDO JUANA

Mama says it’s my duty. Not if we make Maria our heir.

FERNANDO JUANA

Maria?

FERNANDO

Then you can be whatever you want to be.

JUANA

I wouldn’t have to be anything. Can you do that? Change heirs? FERNANDO

You’ll have to pretend you’re going crazy.

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.

FERNANDO JUANA

I really would go crazy. I’ll have to persuade your mother.

FERNANDO JUANA

Tell her I’ll poison myself. You don’t have to —

FERNANDO JUANA

Or Philip — if he insists on being king. Just keep on being yourself.

FERNANDO JUANA

You mean someone nobody understands? Except you? Oh Papa. FERNANDO

And you can go home. See your children.

I the King

II-5 JUANA

And Philip …

FERNANDO

I’ll miss you. I love you so much.

JUANA

(JUANA hugs him and runs off.) (Presently ISABEL wanders in.) Couldn’t sleep … How is she?

ISABEL FERNANDO

Wants to go back to Philip and her children. She’ll only get worse. But you’ll get better.


Philip won’t take care of her. FERNANDO

We know he’s no Manuel. Who would certainly take care of Maria if she got sick. You think Juana’s sick?

ISABEL FERNANDO

I don’t think she’s fit to be your successor. And as you said, with Philip she’ll 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? FERNANDO

But the Council of Jurists agreed with you. Juana’s your heir. ISABEL

If she’s not fit to rule, isn’t that what we’ve got?

FERNANDO

We’ve done our best, Isabel. Some things we can’t control.

I the King

Isn’t there anything we can do? Have him poisoned? Something diplomatic? I can’t think of anything.

II-5 ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

That doesn’t sound like the noble prince I married. Unless … we declare her incompetent. Fernando —


And Maria as your heir. We can’t do that.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Aragon will accept her since she has a male child. Like Juana. Castile won’t.

ISABEL FERNANDO

They’d conquer Jerusalem if My Lady asked them. I feel like a traitor. Juana never wanted to be queen.


Even to Philip. I know he’s abusive. Treats her as his slave. FERNANDO

Did I tell you when Philip left us — and Juana — he didn’t go home? He went to the king of France and signed a treaty giving them Naples. ISABEL

Philip gave Naples to the French? By what authority? Naples belongs to us.

I the King

II-5 FERNANDO

He claims mine. I trust you set everyone straight.

ISABEL FERNANDO

And we have Naples back. Thanks to the Great Captain. ISABEL

I still don’t understand. Why did the French king believe him? FERNANDO

Philip’s actually a vassal of the king. Through a duchy inherited from his mother. But he’s our son-in-law.

ISABEL FERNANDO

Of course I had to give the king some assurances so he’d pull his army back from Naples. ISABEL

Assurances? What kind? FERNANDO

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

He did what was in his heart, Isabel. He betrayed us. No more than the French king.

ISABEL FERNANDO

But Philip’s our heir. He’s sworn allegiance to us.

(ISABEL sits down with resignation.) ISABEL

I suppose we’d don’t have any choice, do we? What do we have to do? (JUANA appears, listening. FERNANDO notices her but ISABEL doesn’t.) FERNANDO

Convene parliament to proclaim Maria as your heir. When you feel up to it, of course. There’s no hurry.

I the King

II-5 ISABEL

Will you tell Juana? (noticing Juana) Before she leaves? I’ll 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 don’t look well, Your Highness. I’m not well. I can hardly breathe.

CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS

The doctors are not sanguine about your recovery. ISABEL

I’m not going to recover, Father. That’s why I wanted you to see this. (ISABEL hands her will to CISNEROS.) “Last Will and Testament”?

CISNEROS

(leafing through the will) I wasn’t trained in civil law. ISABEL

I’ve named my lord the king and you as my executors. Who is this Excellent Lady you refer to?

CISNEROS ISABEL

She signs her name “I the Queen” as I do. Claiming she’s the daughter of the late king — my king — who everyone knew couldn’t have children. You never heard of her? CISNEROS

Perhaps. When I was in the Vatican. Or prison waiting for the parish they promised me. ISABEL

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.

I the King

Did she?

II-6 CISNEROS ISABEL

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

It’s impossible to know to a certainty she was not the king’s daughter — and heir. All right.

CISNEROS ISABEL

What do you mean, all right? I agree. With what?

CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS

It’s impossible to know to a certainty she was not the king’s daughter — and heir. Is that all?

ISABEL CISNEROS

You reign as queen by the grace of God. Also your king’s army defeated her king’s army.

I the King

Does canon law have anything to say? Not much. I’m glad I asked.

II-6 ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS

But I don’t agree with designating Princess Maria as your heir instead of Princess Juana. ISABEL

My lord doesn’t 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. ISABEL

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? Juana’s younger son Ferdinand. Who’s also an alien prince.

CISNEROS ISABEL CISNEROS ISABEL

But we’re raising him as a Spaniard. My lord’s very fond of him. We’ve never met Charles. CISNEROS

That would be unfortunate. Dividing Spain into separate kingdoms after all you’ve done to unify it.

I the King

II-6 ISABEL

My lord fears Charles may take after Philip, his father, since that’s how he’s being raised. CISNEROS

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 I’m the primate of Spain. ISABEL

Father, will you help me through this?

CISNEROS

You keep Princess Juana as your heir and designate a regent. I’ll 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 don’t think it’ll be long?

FERNANDO CISNEROS

She’s not going until she finishes her will. Not that lady. FERNANDO

Just so she makes Princess Maria her heir. My Lord? I need to talk with you.

ISABEL FERNANDO

She never felt well enough to go before parliament.

(FERNANDO moves to ISABEL’s side. ISABEL hands him her will, which FERNANDO starts reading. CISNEROS edges close enough to hear what they’re saying.) ISABEL

I’ve provided for you as best I can. Though less than you deserve. Don’t worry about me, Isabel.

FERNANDO ISABEL

You won’t forget the Indians, will you? They’re so far away — all the way across the Ocean Sea. Our colonists take advantage of them. FERNANDO

Juana’s your heir? You were going to name Maria. ISABEL

But you’ll run the kingdom. Until her son Charles comes of age. You’ll be regent. FERNANDO

Did you hear she assaulted one of her ladies-in-waiting?

I the King

Philip was having an affair with her. Cut off all her hair.

II-7 ISABEL FERNANDO ISABEL

He’s not fit to be king, Fernando. You must never let him govern Castile. FERNANDO

How? If Juana’s queen. It could mean civil war. You’ll find a way. You always have. I did find a way.


Fernando, listen to me — I don’t have much time. I’ve 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. ISABEL

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. I’ll take care of it.

FERNANDO ISABEL

I don’t 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. Doesn’t that make you sad? Sad?

FERNANDO

I the King

II-7 ISABEL

At least you have a grandson to take care of. Little Ferdinand — he’s so much like you. But you’ll leave Aragon to his brother Charles, won’t you? Is that what you want? Not divide our kingdom?


We wouldn’t have these problems if you left Castile to Maria. But God chose Juana.

ISABEL FERNANDO

God? It wasn’t my decision to make. Did God make her mad?


That’s a question you should ask Father Cisneros. He’s a man of many talents, Fernando. That’s why I made you both executors of my will. He promised to help you in any way he can. I’ll let him handle Philip.

FERNANDO ISABEL

He’d make an excellent ambassador. Do you think we’ll see each other again? FERNANDO

I hope so. I want to tell you how it all came out. ISABEL

Then kiss me one more time — I won’t say the last. After that you’d better leave me with my confessor. FERNANDO

Oh, Isabel … (embracing her) I’ll love you forever.

I the King

II-7 (CISNEROS approaches.) ISABEL

But don’t 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 ISABEL’s side, FERNANDO moves down to announce her death to the audience.) FERNANDO

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) FERNANDO (cont.)

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 God’s will … thank him … everything he has given us … (FERNANDO turns away.)

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.) TALAVERA

Is anything the matter?

FERNANDO

Just checking for gray hairs. You know, I’ll be fifty-four next month. TALAVERA

How old is she? The bride-to-be? Eighteen.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

Hardly a year since Queen Isabel’s death.

FERNANDO

Look, Talavera, you can’t understand why I have to live with a woman. TALAVERA

Is that the issue? Or the need for a male heir?

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

II-8 TALAVERA

Forgive me, Sire. I loved Isabel with all my heart. Life hasn’t been the same … For any of us. What was it like? Being married to her?


She could be very loving. And very demanding.

TALAVERA

You really made your decisions together? You were her confessor. She never discussed matters of state.


I assumed you knew everything we did. Even in bed. Why? Did Cisneros? He never seemed interested. And I was?

TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO

There was a time I thought you might be a rival for Isabel’s affections. Not necessarily in a carnal way … Thank you for that distinction.

TALAVERA FERNANDO

But yes, we made our decisions together. Especially those affecting Castile. TALAVERA

Her passion was to make it a perfect kingdom.

FERNANDO

And both of us signed every decree. So no one can say this was the queen’s decision or that was the king’s.

I the King

II-8 TALAVERA

But the inquisition was the queen’s 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?

FERNANDO TALAVERA FERNANDO TALAVERA

When she was young and he was her confessor. Soft clay in that master potter’s hands. He made her promise to eliminate heresy from her kingdom when she became queen. So that’s why ...

FERNANDO TALAVERA

I always thought she relied too much on her confessors. Never having a father to guide her — or a mother. FERNANDO

But none of you had the right answers. Torquemada’s confessions by torture. Cisneros’s conversions by force. Your teaching and charity. Most people believe what they’re brought up to believe. Then most conversos are heretics?

TALAVERA FERNANDO

I’m 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?

TALAVERA FERNANDO

You had two years. How many errant conversos did you save? Why did I have only two years?

TALAVERA

I the King

II-8 FERNANDO

The Turks. When they sacked Otranto, we knew we couldn’t put off the reconquest much longer. Otranto?

TALAVERA FERNANDO

Kingdom of Naples. Where they sawed the archbishop in half on his altar. TALAVERA

Now I remember … Especially Isabel’s confession. FERNANDO

We didn’t want the Turks joining forces with the Moors in Granada. TALAVERA

She went on about an expensive gown she purchased. Some Italian courtier flirting with her. Anything but what was in her heart. FERNANDO

That’s when we decided on the inquisition.

TALAVERA

You mean the reconquest. FERNANDO

The inquisition had to come first. We couldn’t have apostates subverting us in Seville while we were fighting infidels in Granada. Apostates ... You don’t like that word?


I am that word. What are you talking about?

FERNANDO TALAVERA

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 FERNANDO

Thousands of Spaniards have Jewish blood. They say even Torquemada. They say even you. There’s no law against it.


No? Then what justified expelling the Jews who didn’t convert? They weren’t heretics. FERNANDO

Isabel and I vowed we would create a unified kingdom dedicated to God. You didn’t expel the Moors. Until they rebelled.


Only because Cisneros forced them to convert. After you’d failed all those years.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

You promised the Moors they could practice their religion forever. We didn’t promise the Jews.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

That’s your justification? The Jews of Spain had been practicing their religion for thousands of years but didn’t have a treaty? FERNANDO

Talavera, listen. After the Moors surrendered, the only threats to our authority were the Jews. TALAVERA

Did the Jews conquer Spain? Hold its people hostage for thirty generations? Was it the Jews who seized Constantinople? Laid waste to Otranto? FERNANDO

What fires Castilians isn’t the threat of Turks across the sea. It’s the rumor of Jews crucifying a Christian boy on Good Friday. TALAVERA

The inquisition invented that boy. You said so yourself.

I the King

The burnings weren’t invented.

II-8 FERNANDO TALAVERA

Greatest lie in the world.

FERNANDO

The riots weren’t invented. We had a sacred duty to secure our kingdom and keep order. TALAVERA

You had a sacred duty to defend the Jews and Moors under your protection. They had a choice.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

Their religion or their home.

FERNANDO

Everyone knew we were going to make Spain Christian. TALAVERA

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 didn’t all choose to leave.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

You ruled your kingdom by God’s will, Fernando. Not Torquemada’s. Not Cisneros’s. You’d better calm yourself.

FERNANDO

Isabel was a chaste and judicious queen. You’ll have a seizure.

TALAVERA

FERNANDO TALAVERA

But she carried too much guilt. Which they took advantage of. You’re not young anymore.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

But they were only her confessors. You were her husband. Her lord. Her king.

I the King

II-8

You’re having a crisis of faith.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

I am. A Hieronymite monk serving God and my people for almost fifty years. But now my order rejects anyone with Jewish blood. I’m no longer pure. You can appeal to the Vatican.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

God grants me long enough to live. But I’ll never expunge the shame in my heart. You’ve nothing to be ashamed of.

FERNANDO TALAVERA

Last evening the inquisition came for my sister and her children. What — your sister?

TALAVERA

Took them away.

FERNANDO

Give me her name. I couldn’t protect them. I’ll do what I can.

FERNANDO

TALAVERA FERNANDO

(TALAVERA pulls out the envelope and gives it FERNANDO.) TALAVERA

It’s 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.) CISNEROS

I’m happy to see you, Fernando. There were rumors you’d decided to stay in Naples. Ignore your duties to Castile. FERNANDO

Actually I haven’t decided what to do. Don’t like being regent? CISNEROS

I have my polyglot bible to complete. And my university — if it’s to open next year. FERNANDO

Thankless job, governing a kingdom that would as soon see you dead. After all Isabel and I did. When she died, Castilians didn’t think twice about supporting Philip. CISNEROS

But three months of his rule proved more than they could bear. Now they’re hailing your return. FERNANDO

Only a year ago they were hailing my departure.

CISNEROS

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. CISNEROS

Laymen are no harder to manage than clergy. You tell them what you want and what the consequences will be if you don’t get it. What did you tell them about Philip? I assumed that was you.

FERNANDO CISNEROS

I the King

I was sunning myself in Naples. I’m not allowed to take human life. But you can command others. As you can yourself. Was he poisoned?

II-9 FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS

No one knows. Queen Juana seized the body and wouldn’t let anyone examine it. Where’s it now?

FERNANDO CISNEROS

With her. After ten months?

FERNANDO CISNEROS

Your daughter’s gone quite mad, Fernando.

FERNANDO

I’ll take care of it. I’m the one responsible. But God made her mad. Now why would he do that? Those are his mysteries.

CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO

You know what he does but not, for all your learning, why? CISNEROS

That surprises you? FERNANDO

I never feel I understand anything until I know why someone did it.

I the King

II-9 CISNEROS

God is not someone.

FERNANDO

But that doesn’t disqualify you from becoming Grand Inquisitor. CISNEROS

I’m afraid I won’t have the time. Should I abolish it? The inquisition?

FERNANDO

No — it means too much to the faithful. Conversos have offered me money.

CISNEROS

FERNANDO CISNEROS

But it’s mismanaged. Too many inquisitors act on their own impulse. Torquemada encouraged that. FERNANDO

Then you must manage it. You’re the only one left I can trust. CISNEROS

I’m but a simple friar …

FERNANDO

Perhaps — before Isabel discovered you.

CISNEROS

What an honor it was to serve her. Truly a saint.

FERNANDO

Who relied too much on her confessors. CISNEROS

If I erred, it was only because of overzealousness.

FERNANDO

And I because I allowed religious advice to determine matters of state. The state is a Christian kingdom.

CISNEROS 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

II-9 CISNEROS

Your grandson Charles? You’ve never even talked to the boy. He doesn’t speak Spanish. You’ve never met him.

FERNANDO CISNEROS FERNANDO

But Isabel and I gave him the power to do whatever he wants. With an army to enforce it. CISNEROS

The church is strong. We can protect the faithful.

FERNANDO

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. CISNEROS

You can’t control the future, Fernando. You have to have faith. FERNANDO

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 … CISNEROS

You promised Isabel you wouldn’t divide Spain.

FERNANDO

I promised Isabel I’d create a peaceful Spain. You’ve already done it. I wouldn’t call it peaceful.

CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS

You made your two weak kingdoms into the greatest power in Christendom. You can’t destroy it now. FERNANDO

I can’t leave Aragon to a king who doesn’t speak its language or understand its customs. Spain belongs to God now.

CISNEROS

I the King

II-9 FERNANDO

If only Isabel had left Castile to Maria … I couldn’t let her do that.

CISNEROS FERNANDO

I’m sorry?

CISNEROS

God made Juana her heir. I couldn’t let Isabel change it. FERNANDO

You meddled with … my wife … my children … my kingdom … And didn’t even tell me? I was the queen’s advisor — not yours.

CISNEROS FERNANDO

How could I not have known … There’s no tyranny on earth like the tyranny of priests. CISNEROS

What’s that? FERNANDO

Something the Moors used to say … Well, now you can be Juana’s advisor, having made her queen. (getting to his feet) You and she can govern Castile together. CISNEROS

Without you?

FERNANDO

I’ll make you a Cardinal as well as Grand Inquisitor so no one will doubt your authority. CISNEROS

You’re regent of Castile. FERNANDO

I’m also king of Aragon. And Naples. To which I’m now returning. (CISNEROS hastily retrieves a written document.)

I can’t let you go without signing this. Can’t let me go?

CISNEROS FERNANDO

I the King

II-9 CISNEROS

I’ll read it to you. How are you going to stop me?

FERNANDO CISNEROS

“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 can’t believe I’d betray my own kingdom. You promised Isabel. You destroyed my plan.

CISNEROS FERNANDO CISNEROS

On her deathbed. In good conscience you can do nothing else. FERNANDO

I was put here to negotiate state affairs, not discharge my conscience. CISNEROS

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)

I the King

Perspectives Perspectives

Spaniards are prone to refer to the reign of the Catholic sovereigns (1479–1516) as the golden age in their history, because of Spain’s 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 (1516–1598).… 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.… Ferdinand’s 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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