When they call you mad, remember that on November 6th 1479, Joanne of Castile was born—a queen who was never, ever insane. Joan married Philip the Handsome, dubbed the “beautiful one,” when she was sixteen years old, even though he wasn’t. The man profited from all the ladies of the court from the start (judging by the portraits, he was rather ugly).
Given that she was not shown the respect he demanded, Joanne was understandably incensed. Nor as a wife, nor as a queen, and not as a woman. And for that reason they labeled her as insane. Joanne ascended to the throne of Castile, which was hers by virtue of her husband’s death.
Her own father, King Ferdinand, opposed Joanne’s reign. Thus, he concluded that she was insane. And he imprisoned her. Furthermore, Joanne was still quite attractive and youthful. The monarch feared she might remarry and find a suitor to help her in her ascent to the throne.
They say she “graciously gave up” power to her son Charles when he paid her a visit. This is false and an utter lie. After making her sign under duress, Charles locked her up. Joanne was a learned lady who could speak Latin and composed poetry.
However, she was dubbed Joanne the Mad in history rather than Joanne the Prisoner.
Among the numerous women that history has denied is Joanne of Castile.
Among the numerous women whose authentic voices have been silenced by history is Joanne of Castile.
Silencing brave women is sadly a common thing throughout history and it is still practised today. Because women who can’t be controlled by a world controlled by men, by a society controlled by men, and by their families are dubbed and termed mad.
Truly, “crazy” is when they want to disempower women by discrediting their arguments or perspective.
Truly, “crazy” is when they want to invalidate an appropriate and justified reaction to whatever betrayal or abuse they have subjected women to.
Remember that the next time someone calls you crazy or utterly crazy, it’s usually their first attempt to quiet a woman by calling her mad.
#humanityliftinghumanity