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6Experienceandlessonslearned135
7Casestudiesofnuclearredevelopment295
7.9Winfrith,UnitedKingdom FromNuclearR&DSiteto ScienceandTechnologyPark
Wedonotneedmagictotransformourworld.Wecarryallthepowerweneedinside ourselvesalready.Wehavethepowertoimaginebetter.
J.K.Rowling,HarvardCommencementAddress(2008)
Earlyattentiontotheredevelopmentopportunitiesfordecommissionedsitesand facilitiesisacrucialaspectofnucleardecommissioning.Advanceplanningfor post-decommissioningsiteredevelopmentcaneasethetransitionfromoperationto decommissioning,decreasethefinancialliabilities,ensurejobcontinuitytooperationsstaffandcontractors,andmitigatetheimpactofdecommissioningonthelocal stakeholders.Unfortunately,thelackofearlyplanningforredevelopmentisareality inmanynucleardecommissioningprojects.Ingeneral,theprevailingattitudeisthat nucleardecommissioningisthe(sad)endingofasuccessfulstory,andwhatfollowsto itissomebodyelse’scare:instead,thepost-decommissioningphaseshouldbeviewed asagreatopportunityforthebeginningofanothersuccessfulstory.Thisinadequacy maybeduetoinsufficientunderstandingofredevelopmentexperienceresultingfrom nonnucleardecommissioningprojects.Thisbookprovidesanoverviewofnuclearand nonnucleardecommissioningprojectssuccessfullycompletedwiththeredevelopment ofthedecommissionedsites.Lessonslearned(notallsuccessfulexperiences)from theseprojectsaregivenindetail.Thebookincludesalsoguidanceonfactors fostering—ormilitatingagainst—theredevelopmentoffacilitiesandsites.
Nuclearoperatorsincludingthoseresponsiblefordecommissioning,decision makersatcorporateandgovernmentlevel,regulatorybodies,localauthorities,environmentalplanners,andthepublicatlargearerelevantstakeholdersinsiteredevelopmentandrepresentthemainreadershipofthisbook.Thebookmaybeofspecial interesttoownersandoperatorsofnuclearfacilitiesforwhichdateandmethodsof finalshutdownanddismantlinghavenotyetbeenfinalized.Especiallywhenafacility doesnothavetopermanentlyclosedownsoon,therecanbeopportunitiestoamelioratetheclosurestrategythroughanearlyappraisalofthepotentialredevelopment valueofthefacilityandsiteassets.Byillustratingtherangeofredevelopmentoptions, andbyhighlightingthemainfactorspromotingorhinderingredevelopment,thisbook willhopefullyspurthoseconcernedwithnuclearoperationanddecommissioningto evaluatereuseatanearlystage.
Thebookwillalsoberelevanttonuclearregulators:itwillprovetothemthatincorporationofpost-decommissioningredevelopmentwillhelpcompletethe decommissioningofobsoletefacilitiessafelyandinthebestinterestofallthose affected,especiallylocalcommunities.Inreadingthisbookthedecisionmakers— rangingfromgovernmentalandlocalauthoritiestofundingbodies—willalsobe acquaintedwiththebroadbenefitstothegeneralpublicandthelocalcommunities resultingfromtheredevelopmentofnuclearfacilitiesandsites:thesebenefitsinclude
social,economic,environmental,andotherformsofwell-being.Finally,thisbook willprovideinformationandguidancetoamultitudeofpotentialstakeholderswhose interestscenterondecommissionedfacilitiesandsites.
Themainobjectiveofthisbookistocirculateinformationandlessonslearnedon newproductiveusesofnuclearfacilitiesandsitesatthecompletionof decommissioningandafterpartialortotalreleasefromregulatorycontrol.Thisisalso meanttoleveragethevalueofassets(land,buildings,andinfrastructure)thatcanalleviatetheeconomicburdenofdecommissioning.
Ontheinternationalscale,thissubjectareahasreceivedlimitedattention.Asan independenttreatise,ithasonlybeenaddressedinfullbytwoIAEAreports:
RedevelopmentofNuclearFacilitiesafterDecommissioning,TechnicalReportsSeries No.444,IAEA,Vienna,2006,and
RedevelopmentandReuseofNuclearFacilitiesandSites:CaseHistoriesandLessons Learned,NuclearEnergySeriesNo.NW-T-2.2,IAEA,Vienna,2011.
Botheditedbytheauthorofthisbook,andneedingupdatinginthelightofconsiderableprogressacquiredoverthelast10years.TheinformationprovidedforindividualfacilitiesinthosetwoIAEApublicationshasnotbeenrepeatedhereunlessupdates onreusestrategiesforthosefacilitieshadbeendisclosedmorerecently.Therefore,the book’smainfocusisgiventoadvancesandachievementsoverthelast10years(i.e., afterallreferencesforIAEANo.NW-T-2.2hadbeenassembled),andtothestateof theartinthereuseandredevelopmentofcontaminatedfacilitiesandsites.This reflectsinmostreferencesquoted,whichhavebeenpublishedsince2009orso.However,somefundamentalreferenceshavebeenquotedtosetthebasisforfurther elaboration.
Anygoodredevelopmentprojectshouldinvolveaprocessoflookingbothnationwideandinternationallyatprecedents,tolearnfromothers’experienceandlessons learned.Thelessonslearnedfromsimilarprojects,eitherbyconsultantsorclients, areoftenavailablethroughpublicationsorarchiveddocumentation.However,visits toongoingprojectsofsimilarnatureordirectfeedbackfromthosedirectlyinvolvedin thoseprojectsareindispensabletoensuresuccess.Thisapproachisthefoundationof thisbook.
Theredevelopmentofnonnuclearassetshasbeenacommonpracticelongbefore nuclearreusewasevenenvisionedasanindependentdiscipline.Inrecognitionofthe predominantedgeacquiredbythenonnuclearsector,alargeshareofthisbookis devotedtotheachievementsofnonnuclearindustrialsites;andanattempthasbeen madetocomparethoseachievementswithoptionsavailabletonuclearsites(still mostlyattheplanningstage).Learningfromthenonnuclearsectorservesanother objectivethisbookisdevotedto.Intheauthor’sopinion,oneoftheplightsaffecting thenuclearsectorcomesfromtheinside,namelyfromtheperfectionismthenuclear communityinflicteduponthemselves.Therootcauseofthisperfectionismliesinthe originalsinofthenuclearenergy,theHiroshimaandNagasakibombs.Thehorror raisedbytheseeventspressuredthenuclearcommunitytowardcreatingaperfectcontrolsystem—inanimperfectworld.Forthenuclearworld,therefusaltoacceptany standardlessthanperfectresultedinover-conservatism,frustration,isolation,andan
unfoundedsuperioritycomplex:inturnthisattitudemadenuclearinstallationsmore andmorecomplicatedandcostly,andontheotherside,scaredthegeneralpublic.By recognizingthatnuclearredevelopmenthasalottolearnfromthenonnuclearexperience,thisbookaimstoinstillasenseofnormalityandhumilityintothenuclear industry.Theauthorfeelsthattoseeatrue“nuclearrenaissance”thenuclearindustry shouldbeperceivedbythepublicaslittledifferentfromotherformsofpower generation,andbasicallyjust“businessasusual.”
Anotherobjectiveofthisbookistohighlightthatplannedredevelopmentofthe nuclearfacilitiesandsitesmayfacilitatethedecommissioningprocess.Inparticular, thisreportaimsatrefutingthecommonunderstandingofdecommissioning(the burdenofliabilitiesandthedestructionofassets)byhighlightingaconstructiveview (thekeepingorregainingofassets,orthedevelopmentofnewassets).Inthissense, thebookispromotional.Itdoesnotaddressanyradiologicalorchemicalcontaminationissuesperse,forexample,itdoesnotdescribenumericalcriteriaforthereleaseof sites/facilities,whilerecognizingthatsuchcriteriadeeplyaffecttheredevelopment options.
Structurally,thisbookfirstlocatesindustrialreuse/redevelopmentintothehistory ofhumanactivities,withafocusonindustrialoperationsandtransitiontoclosures. Thenthebookestablishesabaselineforindustrialredevelopment,includingthe understandingofbasicconceptsanddefinitions.Third,thevariousphasesofredevelopmentaredescribedindetail,beginningfromconceptualplanningthroughanalysis ofrelevantfactors,selectionofalternatives,decision-making,detailedplanning,executionofaproject,andfollow-onactions.Thesubsequentchapterisgiventothe applicationofredevelopmentasaninnovativeapproach.Thenthebookhighlights numerousfactorsthataffecttheredevelopmentofindustrialbuildingsandsites. Factorsofsuccessorfailureenabledevelopers,planners,communities,andother stakeholderstoanticipatetheissues,benefits,anddrawbacksattachedtoreuseprojects,comparethemanddecideonacourseofaction.Basedonexperience,thebook alsotriestoexplorehowanydifficultiesencounteredmaybemitigated.Anumberof individualprojectsarebrieflydiscussedbasedoncertaincategories.Finally,detailed casestudiesfromthenuclearsectorarepresentedanddiscussedindepth.
Theubiquitous,internationalcharacterofpost-decommissioningredevelopment hasbeenrecognizedinthisbookbyquotinginitiatives,plans,andfactsfromanumber ofcountries(seeTablebelow).
Countriesandrelatedredevelopmentprojectsdiscussedinthisbook
AlbaniaBunkers,tobaccofactory
AustriaResearchreactor,mills,silos,chimneys
AustraliaPowerplant,bunker,railwaystructures,harbor
BelgiumNuclearpowerplant,researchreactor,watertower
BrazilFactories
CanadaPowerplants,industrialplants,researchreactors,mills ChinaBunkers,silos
Countriesandrelatedredevelopmentprojectsdiscussedinthisbook—Continued
CroatiaLighthouse
CyprusIndustrialplant
CzechRepublicNuclearcenter,irradiator,bunkers,industrialplant
DenmarkSilo,dockyards
FinlandSilo
FranceNuclearcenters,silo,harbor,militarybases,uraniummine
GermanyNuclearpowerplant,researchreactors,industrialplants, furnaces,railways
HungaryRailwaystation
IcelandIndustrialplant
IsraelRailway,landfillsite
ItalyChimneys,railwaysandrailwaystructures,roads,furnace, slaughterhouse,watertank,gasholder,mines
JapanNuclearpowerplant,factories
PolandMill,furnaces
PortugalPowerplant,factories,slaughterhouse
RussianFederationPowerplant
SouthAfricaSilo
SouthKoreaBunker,researchreactors
SpainNuclearpowerplant,factory,brewery
SwedenNuclearpowerplant,harbor,researchreactor,silos,bunker
TheNetherlandsCraneway,railways,silos,watertower,researchreactors, factories
TurkeyPowerplant
UnitedKingdomNuclearandconventionalpowerplants,nuclearresearch centers,contaminatedlandareas,mills,silos,bunkers, breweries,railways
UnitedStatesNuclearandconventionalpowerplants,nuclearresearch centers,researchreactors,contaminatedlandareas,military bases,bunkers,mines,railways
VenezuelaIrradiator
Thisisneitheratextbook,norisitacademicallyoriented.Noristhebookintended asaprimeaidtothosebeginningascientificcareerorientedtodecommissioningor environmentalremediation(D&ER)technologies.Nordoesthebookintendtospecificallyaddresshealthandsafetyrisksandprecautionswithrespecttoparticularmaterials,conditions,orprocedures.Consequently,theauthorrecommendsconsulting applicablestandards,laws,regulations,andexpertsforsafety-relatedinformation.
ThescopeofthebookassumesthatD&ERhasbeencompletedatleastinpreliminary planning,andreuse/remediationneedconsiderationatthisstage(theearlier,thebetter). Infact,earlyconsiderationofsiteredevelopmentisafactorofdecommissioningplanningandmayrequireitsiteration.Therefore,thebookismeanttodrawattentionof those(governmentalandlocalauthorities,operators,wastemanagers,regulatory authorities,legalexperts,demolitioncontractors,etc.)engrossedintheplanningand implementationofD&ER,whowishtolookaheadandenlargetheirprofessional
horizonstoreuse/redevelopment(eitherperseasapost-decommissioningactivityor preferablyasastrategicelementofD&ER).Furtherthebookaddressesthoseresponsibleforlandplanningincludingpublicauthorities,architects,historians,environmentalists,realestatedevelopers,andawiderangeofotherstakeholders(universities, researchers,industriesatlarge).
Thebookisnotintendedtoprovideoptimalsolutionstoindividualredevelopment problems:eachconcreteredevelopmentoptionwilldependonmultiplecountryor site-specificfactors,whichareimpossibletoquantifyingenericformulas.Rather, throughtheuseofconcreteexamples,thebookillustratesawiderangeoffactors andpossiblesolutionsforfurtherinvestigation.
Thebookusesnarrativetechniquestoprovideamoreprofoundmeaningandhelp thereaderuseimaginationtovisualizefacts.(Actuallyitwillbeshownthatthevery subjectofthisbook—redevelopment—hasalottodowithimagination.)Techniques appliedinthisbooktoenlivenitsstyleincludebackstory,flashback,imagery,celebrityquotes,abitofhumor,andothers.Forexample,imagerycreatesvisualsappealing tothereader’ssensesandinvolvesfigurativelanguage.Likewise,thebookmakes wideuseofanecdotes,newspaperarticles,andstoriesofminoreventsleadingtomore significantconsequencesorbearinguniversalmeaning.
Thenarrativestyleofthisbook(occasionallyvergingoncolloquialism)canmakeit appealingtoamoregeneralclassofreaders,forexample,thenon-initiated,yet attractedbyenvironmentalism,history,orsocialaspects.
FinallyIhopeitwillnotbesaidofthisbook:“FromthemomentIpickedupyour bookuntilIlaiditdown,Iwasconvulsedwithlaughter.SomedayIintendreadingit.” GrouchoMarx(1890–1977).
Althoughtheauthorhastakengreatcaretoreviewthereliability,completeness,and accuracyoftheinformationcontainedinthisbook,neitherhenorthepublisherprovidesanywarrantiesinthisregardorassumeanyresponsibilityforconsequences whichmayarisefromtheuseofthisinformation.Neithertheauthornorthepublisher shallbeliableintheeventofanyconflictbetweenthisbookandothersourcesof information.
Thetechnicalimplicationsoftheinformationcontainedinthisbookmayvary widelybasedonthespecificfactsinvolvedandshouldnotreplaceconsultationwith professionaladvisors.Althoughallfactstheauthorbelievestoberelevantare addressed,thebookisnotmeanttobeanexhaustivecoverageonthesubject.
Theoccasionalmentionoftradenamesorcommercialproductsdoesnotimply anyintentiontoinfringeproprietaryrights,norshoulditbeviewedasanendorsement orrecommendation.Statementsthatcouldappearasbiasedjudgmentsareunintentionalandaredefinitelynotintendedtobeso,however,theauthorhastakenfull responsibilityforthem.
TomywifeGiovanna,whofor45yearshas givenmeunconditionalfriendship, unwaveringsupport,andlove.
Iamconvincedthattheworldisnotamereboginwhichmenandwomentrample themselvesinthemireanddie.Somethingmagnificentistakingplacehereamid thecrueltiesandtragedies,andthesupremechallengetointelligenceisthatofmakingthenoblestandbestinourcuriousheritageprevail.
–1948)
CharlesAustinBeard(1874Iamconvincedthattheworldisnotamereboginwhichmenandwomentrample themselvesinthemireanddie.Somethingmagnificentistakingplacehereamid thecrueltiesandtragedies,andthesupremechallengetointelligenceisthatofmakingthenoblestandbestinourcuriousheritageprevail.
CharlesAustinBeard(1874–1948)
Sincethebeginningofhumanhistory,whengivenachance,mankindhaschosento reuseexistinginhabitedsitesandtheirinfrastructure(e.g.,dwellings,harbors,and roads)fornewpurposes,asneeded,ratherthantoabandonexistingsitesandestablish settlementsanew.Thesomehowobviousreasonisthattheoriginalsiteswere establishedforsuchconvenientfactorsaswateravailability,easeofaccess,natural defensivefeatures,etc.andtheuncertaintiesinidentifyingandredevelopingnewsites werenotconsideredworththeriskinmostcases.Ofcourse,thisdoesnotaccountfor casesofforcedrelocationduetooverwhelmingcircumstances,forexample,natural disasters,invasionbyenemies,ornewtradingopportunities.Oneshouldalsonotethat reusinganexistingsiteoftenimpliesadaptingthesitetonewdemandsandpriorities, whichisnotnecessarilyeasyandinexpensive.Intheendthedecisionbetweenreuse andrestarthasalwaysrequireda(consciousorunconscious)trade-offofmultiple factors.
Therearethousandsofsitesworldwidethathavebeenreusedovercenturies,while continualmodificationswerebeingundertakentopreservethesiteusabilityfornew functions.Itwillbeenoughtolookatarcheologicalsites.Thefollowingisabrief overviewofancientsiteswherenewfacilitieswereinstalled,takingadvantageofsite featuresinheritedfromformerusesofthesite.Aswellknown,“Romewasn’tbuiltina day.”Foralmost3000years,differentcivilizationsandinstitutions(Etruscans, ancientRomans,earlyChristianity,thePapalState,andthecapitaloftheItalianState) havesucceededandtransformedRomesiteswhilepreservingasubstantialunity.For example,thefoundationsofpagantempleswereoftenreusedtosupportChristian churches.
TheTheatreofMarcellus(inItalian: TeatrodiMarcello)isanancientopen-air theaterinRome.Thetheaterwasofficiallyinauguratedin12BCbyAugustus,the firstRomanemperor.Thetheatre,thelargestofitstimeinRome,remainedinuse forthreecenturies.Thenitsstructuralmaterialswerepartlydismantledand reemployedforcivilianbuildingsinthearea.However,thetheaterstatueswere restoredbyPetroniusMaximusin421CE;bythattime,theremainingstructure housedsmallresidentialdwellings.ThroughouttheMiddleAgesthetheaterwasused asafortressandresidencebynoblefamilies.Thisshieldedthecomplexfromdecay. Later,inthe16thcentury,theresidenceoftheOrsinifamily,designedbythefamous architectBaldassarePeruzzi,wasbuiltatoptheruinsoftheancienttheater.Nowthe
Fig.1.1 TheatreofMarcellus,Rome,Italy. PhotobyM.Laraia(2007).
upperfloorsaredividedintomultipleapartments,anditssurroundingsareusedfor summerconcerts(Fig.1.1).
ElsewhereinItalytherearemanysitesthathavebeencontinuouslyusedfor 2000years.InCatania,Sicily,encompassedbytheremainsofthecitywallsfrom thetimeofEmperorCharlesV,therestandsthechurchofSaintAgathainPrison; accordingtotradition,itwasbuiltovertheprisonwhereSaintAgathawasheldduring hertrialandeventuallypassedawayon5thFebruary251AD.Itispossiblethatthe prisonwaspartoftheadministrativecomplexandresidenceofherprosecutor.
ThedoorwaytotheBaroqueChurchismediaeval(around1241)andwasoriginally partofthefacadeoftheancientNormancathedral,rescuedfromtheruinsoftheearthquakeof1693.ItwasreinstalledbyGianBattistaVaccarini,whodesignedandconstructedthenewchurchinthe18thcentury.Whatremainsofthatedificetodayisa rectangularopening(5.9m 3.65m)totherightofthenaveofthechurch,whosethick walls(2m)canbejustifiedbytheiroriginaldefensivepurpose.Inthe1960sanother spacewasdiscoveredalongsidetheprisonatalevellowerthanthecurrentfloor.This couldbealowerprisonreservedforthoseawaitingthedeathsentence,oraChristian orpaganbasilica,butitalsocouldbethegladiators’baths(Fig.1.2).
Discoveredonlyin1943,theNaumachieistheremainsofanoldRomanwall, 130mlong,with18nichesthatsurroundedthegymnasium(abuildingforindoor sportsactivities).Builtinthe1st-centuryBC,itisthesecondoldeststructureinTaormina,Sicily.ThenameNaumachie(inGreek“seabattle”)waswronglygiventothe structureafterthelargewaterbasinfoundhere.However,thebasinwasnotusedto
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The Project Gutenberg eBook of Isabel of Castile and the making of the Spanish nation, 1451-1504
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Title: Isabel of Castile and the making of the Spanish nation, 1451-1504
Author: Ierne L. Plunket
Release date: October 22, 2023 [eBook #71930]
Language: English
Original publication: New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1915
Credits: Richard Tonsing, Clarity, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ISABEL OF CASTILE AND THE MAKING OF THE SPANISH NATION, 14511504 ***
New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.
AFTER A PAINTING IN THE PRADO GALLERY ATTRIBUTED TO MIGUEL ZITTOZ FROM “TORQUEMADA AND THE SPANISH INQUISITION” BY RAFAEL SABATINI
ISABEL OF CASTILE1451–1504
BY IERNE L. PLUNKETA “T F O O , 1763–1815”
Illustrated
The Knickerbocker Press 1915
1915
BY G. P. PUTNAM’S SONSThe Knickerbocker Press, New York
Isabel of Castile is one of the most remarkable, and also one of the most attractive, figures in Spanish history. Her marriage with Ferdinand the Wise of Aragon brought about the union of the Spanish nationality, which had so long been distracted and divided by provincial prejudices and dynastic feuds. She is the ancestress of the Spanish Hapsburg line. But she is also important in Spanish history as a wise and energetic ruler, who rendered invaluable assistance to her husband and to some extent moulded his policy. Under their government Spain was reduced from anarchy to order and took her place among the great Powers of Europe. Isabel is perhaps best known as the patroness of Christopher Columbus and the unflinching ally of the Spanish Inquisition. But her career presents many other features of interest. In particular it reveals the problems which had to be faced by European governments in the critical period of transition from mediæval to modern forms of national organization.
H. W. C. D.B C , O , Dec. 17, 1914.
After a painting in the Prado Gallery attributed to Miguel Zittoz.
From Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition, by Rafael Sabatini.
From Boletin de la Real Academia de la Historia, vol. lxii.
From a photograph by Hauser and Menet. ALFONSO V. OF ARAGON
From Iconografia Española, by Valentin Carderera y Solano. JUAN PACHECO, MARQUIS OF VILLENA
From Iconografia Española, by Valentin Carderera y Solano. ALFONSO, BROTHER OF ISABEL OF CASTILE
From Iconografia Española, by Valentin Carderera y Solano.
FERDINAND OF ARAGON
From Iconografia Española, by Valentin Carderera y Solano.
TOLEDO, LA PUERTA DEL SOL
From a photograph by Anderson, Rome.
TOLEDO, CHURCH OF SAN JUAN DE LOS REYES
From a photograph by Anderson, Rome.
From a photograph by Lacoste, Madrid. PRINCE JOHN, SON OF FERDINAND AND ISABEL
(FUNERAL EFFIGY)
From Iconografia Española, by Valentin Carderera y Solano.
JOANNA “LA BELTRANEJA”
From Sitges’ Enrique IV. y la Excelente Señora.
SPANISH HALBERDIER, FIFTEENTH CENTURY 162
From Spanish Arms and Armour.
Reproduced by courtesy of the author, Mr. A. F. Calvert.
SPANISH CROSSBOWMAN, FIFTEENTH CENTURY 166
From Spanish Arms and Armour.
Reproduced by courtesy of the author, Mr. A. F. Calvert.
ARMS BELONGING TO BOABDIL 172
From Lafuente’s Historia General De España, vol. vii.
ALHAMBRA, COURT OF LIONS 178
From a photograph by Anderson, Rome. DOUBLE
From Spanish Arms and Armour.
Reproduced by courtesy of the author, Mr. A. F. Calvert.
RONDA, THE TAJO OR CHASM
From a photograph by Lacoste, Madrid.
From a photograph by Lacoste, Madrid.
BOABDIL, LAST KING OF GRANADA
From Altamira’s Historia de España.
ALHAMBRA, PATIO DE L’ALBERCA 226
From a photograph by Anderson, Rome.
From Historia de la Villa y Corte de Madrid, by Amador de los Rios.
From Iconografia Española, by Valentin Carderera y Solano.
After a painting attributed to Miguel Zittoz.
From Torquemada and the Spanish Inquisition. Reproduced by kind permission of the author, Mr. Rafael Sabatini.
From Historia de la Villa y Corte de Madrid, by Amador de los Rios.
From Christopher Columbus, by Washington Irving.
From Christopher Columbus, by Washington Irving.
Carved wooden statue from the Cathedral at Granada.
From A Queen of Queens, by Christopher Hare, published by Messrs. Harper.
From Nervo’s Isabelle La Catholique. Reproduced by permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co., publishers of translated edition.
AVILA, TOMB OF PRINCE JOHN, SON OF FERDINAND AND ISABEL
From a photograph by Lacoste, Madrid.
From a photograph by Hauser and Menet.
ISABEL, QUEEN OF PORTUGAL, ELDEST DAUGHTER OF FERDINAND AND ISABEL
From Iconografia Española, by Valentin Carderera y Solano.
FROM BEYOND THE CITY WALLS
From a photograph by Lacoste, Madrid.
From Spanish Arms and Armour.
Reproduced by courtesy of the author, Mr. A. F. Calvert.
From Spanish Arms and Armour. Reproduced by courtesy of the author, Mr. A. F. Calvert.
From Spanish Arms and Armour.
Reproduced by courtesy of the author, Mr. A. F. Calvert.
JOANNA “THE MAD,” DAUGHTER OF QUEEN ISABEL
From Historia de la Villa y Corte de Madrid, by Amador de los Rios.
CODICIL TO ISABEL’s WILL, WITH HER SIGNATURE
From Lafuente’s Historia General De España, vol. vii.
Carved wooden statue from the Cathedral at Malaga.
GRANADA CATHEDRAL, ROYAL CHAPEL, TOMB OF FERDINAND AND ISABEL
From a photograph by Lacoste, Madrid.
From a photograph by Lacoste, Madrid.
COINS, CATHOLIC KINGS
From Lafuente’s Historia General De España, vol. vii.
COINS, CATHOLIC KINGS 404
From Lafuente’s Historia General De España, vol. vii.
COINS, CATHOLIC KINGS
From Lafuente’s Historia General De España, vol. vii.
From Lafuente’s Historia General De España, vol. vii.
From a photograph by Lacoste, Madrid.
There are some characters in history, whose reputation for heroism is beyond reproach in the eyes of the general public. There are others, however, whose claims to glory are ardently contested by posterity, and none more than Isabel of Castile, in whose case ordinary differences of opinion have been fanned by that most uncompromising of all foes to a fair estimate, religious prejudice. Thus the Catholic, while deploring the extreme severity of the methods employed for the suppression of heresy, would yet look on her championship of the Catholic Faith as her chief claim to the admiration of mankind. The Protestant on the other hand, while acknowledging the glories of the Conquest of Granada and the Discovery of the New World, would weigh them light in the balance against the fires and tortures of the Inquisition and the ruthless expulsion of the Jews.
One solution of the problem has been to make the unfortunate Ferdinand the scapegoat of his Queen’s misdeeds. Whatever tends to the glory of Spain, in that, if not the originator, she is at least the partner and moving spirit. When acts of fanaticism hold the field, they are the result of Ferdinand’s material ambitions or the religious fervour of her confessors; Isabel’s ordinarily independent and clearsighted mind being reduced for the sake of her reputation to a condition of credulous servility.
Such a view has missed the consistency of real life. It is probably responsible for the exactly opposite summary of another critic, who denies Isabel’s superiority to her husband in anything but hypocrisy and the ability to make her lies more convincing. He even fails to admit that, this being granted, her capacities in one direction at least must have been phenomenal, since Ferdinand was the acknowledged liar of his day par excellence.
Faced by the witness of the Queen’s undoubted popularity, he sweeps it away with a tribute to Spanish manhood: “The praise bestowed on the character of Isabel is, to no small amount, due to the
chivalrous character of the Spaniards, who never forgot that the Queen was a lady.”
Such an assumption must be banished, along with Isabel’s weakmindedness on religious matters, to the realms of historical fiction. The very Castilians who extol her glory and merit do not hesitate to draw attention in bald terms to her sister-in-law’s frailties. Indeed a slight perusal of Cervantes’ famous novel, embodying so much of the habits and outlook of Spain at a slightly later date will show it was rather the fashion to praise a woman for her beauty than to credit her with mental or moral qualities of any strength.
The Catholic Queen, like other individuals of either sex, must stand or fall by the witness of her own actions and speech; and these seen in the light of contemporary history will only confirm the tradition of her heroism, which the intervening centuries have tended to blur. The odium that sometimes attaches to her name is largely due to the translation of Spanish ideals and conditions of life in the Middle Ages into the terms that rule the conduct of the twentieth century.
“Quien dice España dice todo,” says the old proverb,—“He who says Spain has said everything.”
This arrogance is typical of the self-centred, highly strung race, that had been bred by eight centuries of war against the Infidel. The other nations of Western Europe might have their occasional religious difficulties; but, in the days before Luther and Calvin were born, none to the same extent as Spain were faced by the problem of life in daily contact with the unpardonable crime of heresy, in this case the more insidious that it was often masked by outward observance of rule and ritual.
The greater part of the modern world would dismiss the matter with a shrug of its shoulders and the comfortable theory that truth, being eternal, can take care of itself; but this freedom of outlook was yet to be won on the battlefields of the Renaissance and in the religious wars of the sixteenth century. It would be an anachronism to look for it in Spain at a time when the influence of the new birth of thought and culture had extended no further than an imitation of Italian poets.