"The Constant Princess"

I find the subject of "The Constant Princess" very intriguing. In the midst of trying to locate Granada, I stumbled upon an island nation with a similar name: Grenada. The history of both are very intriguing, but I will not go into detail -- but the Internet is a wealth of knowledge. According to some of Grenada's history, the island nation was colonized by Spanish conquistadors. [Thus there is a connection between Granada, where the Spanish King and Queen resided, and Grenada.]

I found Catalina's perspective to be enchanting.Below are some excerpts:

Excerpt 1

We betray our word in three months, expelling the Jews and threatening the Moslems. Everyone must convert to the True Faith [Catholicism], and then, if there is any shadow of a doubt, or any suspicion against them, their faith will be tested by the Spanish Inquisition. It is the only way to make one nation: through one faith. It is the only way to make one people out of the great varied diversity which had been al Andalus. My mother [Queen Isabella] builds a chapel in the council chamber, and where it once said "Enter and ask. Do not be afraid to seek justice for here you will find it," in the beautiful shapes of Arabic, she prays to a sterner, more intolerant God than Allah and no one comes for justice anymore.

Thoughts
I suppose Catalina's thoughts on her faith tout an audience. While I was reading Chapter 1 I was transported into 15th century Spain, a powerful empire during that time. I could imagine the Muslim fortresses and encampments within the Spanish Empire; I could imagine the drama that unfolded during the Spanish conquest; and I could imagine the construction of a magnificent palace for the royal family. But I am more perplexed by the Gregory's apparent, and thoroughly enriching, descriptions on the religious diversity within Spain. And it is obvious that the Muslims occupied the region of Granada.

I was even more surprised to read: "It will be done [says Queen Isabella]. It is God's will and mine." Queen Isabella, a devout Catholic, claims her will is paralleled to that of God's. It is evident in the reading that Isabella was truly devout, but as Queen of Spain, I believe, it was more her will than his. King Ferdinand graciously obeys his wife's direct order saying, "It will be done. It is my duty to see that God's will is done; and my pleasure to enforce yours." Clever writing! Ferdinand must do his duty. Whether or not he obey the queen's orders is optional, though. It is also evident that the queen is equally as powerful as the king. Interesting.

Excerpt 2

It is not truly a palace, not even as those we had known at Cordoba or Toledo.
It is not a castle, nor a fort. It was built first and foremost as a garden,
with rooms of exquisite luxury so that one could live outside. It is a series of
courtyards designed for flowers and people alike. It is a dream of beauty:
walls, tiles, pillars melting into flowers, climbers, fruit, and herbs. The
Moors believe that the garden is a paradise on earth, and they have spent
fortunes over the centuries to make this "al-Yanna": the word that means garden,
secret place, and paradise.

Thoughts

What an amazing description! There is no doubt that I love the natural environment -- to describe a simple garden (al-Yanna) as paradise reminds me of the garden of Eden (Genesis 2: 4-24). It was literally a paradise on earth. The garden within the courtyard was merely an abstraction.