THE CROWN OF CASTILE

In mid-15th century Spain King Henry IV ruled Castile. Well-meaning and trusting, Henry's rule and fondness for his male lovers - one of whom, the son of a laundress, was widely chronicled as "foul-mouthed" - and his preference for many things Moslem such as great pillows instead of a throne, provoked reactions ranging from the widespread loyalty of the common people to assassination attempts by the Barons. The real wielder of power was the Marquis of Villena, referred to in chronicles as the "hand from hell in the velvet glove." This is the story of how, through events and unlikely love affairs among the rich and powerful, Henry's obscure half-sister Isabel became Castile's most famous Queen.