Philip I of Castile

Philip inherited the Burgundian Netherlands at three when his mother Mary died in 1482, becoming the first Habsburg to hold those rich domains. Though France contested parts of the inheritance, treaties in 1482 and 1493 largely secured it, and he proved an effective ruler who favored peace and trade. In 1496 his father Maximilian arranged his marriage to Joanna, second daughter of Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain — a parallel swap that saw Philip's sister Margaret marry Joanna's brother. After the deaths of her siblings and nephew, Joanna became heir to Castile and Aragon. Philip spent his time…