These were the tricks of Fortune, who according to Machiavelli is “the mistress of one-half our actions.” The other half is in human reckoning; and Isabel in her sincerity and strength shaped the destiny of Castile as far as in her lay with the instinct of a true ruler.
“It appeared the hand of God was with her,” says the historian, Florez, “because she was very fortunate in those things that she undertook.”
APPENDIX I
HOUSE OF TRASTAMARA IN CASTILE AND ARAGON
APPENDIX II
PRINCIPAL AUTHORITIES FOR THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ISABEL OF CASTILE
A. Contemporary.
Bernaldez (Andrés) (Curate of Los Palacios), Historia de Los Reyes.
Carvajal (Galindez), Anales Breves.
Castillo (Enriquez del), Crónica del Rey Enrique IV.
Martyr (Peter), Opus Epistolarum.