58 - Kill Phil Volume 2
From History of the Netherlands by Republic of Amsterdam Radio
April 28, 2026 · 1h 0m · Episode 58
About this episode
This episode explores the marriage of Joanna of Castile and Philip the Handsome, detailing the political implications and events surrounding their claim to the Castilian crown.
When Joanna of Castile wed Philip the Handsome aka Habsburg Phil in 1496, few people would have foreseen that this marriage would result in the Habsburg prince wearing the Castilian crown 10 years later. Yet due to a series of dynastic deaths in the Spanish ruling family, by 1501, Joanna was crown princess of Castile. Habsburg Phil’s priorities and attentions began to take on a grander scope as the prospect of ruling in Spain became tantalisingly real. Joanna and Phil would travel to Spain in 1502-3 to be confirmed as heirs to the Castilian crown. Habsburg Phil returned to the Low Countries a year later, but Isabella of Castile insisted Joanna stay behind since she was heavily pregnant. A bizarre incident took place at La Mota castle, after which Joanna rejoined her husband, but Isabella was left doubting her daughter’s capability to rule. Speculation about Joanna’s mental state came to the fore, leading to clashes between her father, Ferdinand of Aragon, and her husband over who would wield the power in Castile. When Isabella of Castile died in 1504, Philip and Joanna made preparations to return to Spain and claim the crown, leaving the Low Countries again in January 1506. This…
Topics covered
- Habsburg dynasty
- Spanish crown
- Joanna of Castile
- Philip the Handsome
- dynastic politics
- historical marriage
- Castilian crown
Keywords
- Joanna of Castile
- Philip the Handsome
- Habsburg
- Castilian crown
- dynastic deaths
- historical events
- Spain
- Low Countries
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Spain, Low Countries, La Mota castle, England
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