On the second of December 1496, I could hear the cold winds slamming against the stone walls of my castle. I have never been more grateful for the thick stone walls as when I thought of that frigid wind that would cut me to the bone if not for these walls. Even with those thick stone walls the marble floor was cold and it chilled my bare feet as my servants dressed me for the day in my beautiful golden shirt made from silk imported from China. I thought of the explorer named Christopher Colombus-how he had asked me for 1,157,000 maravedis to fund his expedition to reach India by going around the world.
Later, I got settled in for a long day of tedious work. No matter what I did, I just couldn’t find a comfortable place to settle. I thought “My old injuries from my conquest of Granada are aching because of the cold.” One spot was too cold, another spot felt all coarse and rough. After I gave up on finding a comfortable way to sit I told a guard to let the royal court in.That is when he walked in-Christopher Colombus, acting right at home among my royal court. The nerve to think he could act like one of us that scoundrel the son of an Italian wool merchant acting like a member of my royal court!
“What are you doing here?” I inquired.
“You know why I am here. I have come to ask you to please reconsider my offer,” he said.
“Why should I give you 1,157,000 maravedis? You are asking for too much money. That much money will bankrupt spain. In addition to the funds, you want a title and a large cut of the king’s, my, profit,'' I replied.
“It could give you vital access to a trade network, and it would be a worthwhile investment. It would also honor the kingdom you are unifying and bring new Christian converts in the name of our Lord. I know you and your queen are pious leaders who serve God Almighty,” he claimed.
After thinking it over for a little bit, I answered back, “Give me a little more time to consider your request.”
“Yes, great King. However, if you don’t decide soon, I’ll find someone else to support me who will receive God’s blessing,” Columbus responded.
When he left, I went to have lunch. The banquet hall was a bright room with torches every couple of feet casting a warm comforting glow across the room. The main table was covered with a bright red cloth and on top of the cloth was all my favorite foods. Piled high were roasted potatoes with the crispy skin just how I like them, seasoned pork with the heavily taxed spices from India, a few whole roasted ducks the taste of which always made me want more, and steaming brown gravy in a golden serving vessel to top it all off. When I sat down, I thought to myself, “Maybe this wasn’t going to be such a bad day after all.” After that delicious lunch I went back to my throne room and started to work again. The day was boring, and it seemed to go on forever.
At dinner, I asked my wife, the beautiful Queen Isabella who sat next to me at the head of the table, “What should I do? Should I give into his demands?”
“Whose demands?” she asked sincerely.
“Christopher Columbus's demands,” I responded.
“I think you should weigh the options,” she said thoughtfully.
“Well, I would gain an advantage by being able to get to India much more easily,” I said. “Once in India, we could bypass the trading blockade,” I continued. “The disadvantages are the amount of money he is asking for would cost the royal coffers and bankrupt Spain,” I followed up.
“ You could make up all of the money invested by buying spices in India and selling them for a bigger profit,” she said.
Queen Isabella had been by my side since our secret marriage many years ago. We worked together to unify Spain. “You are right,” I said. “When he returns, I will tell him I will fund him,” I concluded.
That night, I dreamed about becoming even more rich and powerful by controlling the spice trade. When morning came, I told my servants to dress me quickly and then start preparing breakfast. When I had eaten breakfast, I went to the throne room. Not five minutes had passed, not even five minutes had passed, when in walked Christopher Columbus.
“Have you considered my offer, King Ferdinand?” Christopher Columbus asked.
“Yes I have,” I said. “I have chosen to fund your expedition.”
“Wonderful,” he said excitedly, “I will prepare immediately.”
I did not know yet what I had started or what would happen to my money, but I hoped that his plan was going to be successful because then we could make back those 1,157,000 maravedis by trading with India without being heavily taxed. I did not know if his plan would work, but I hoped he proved his plan was a good one for the sake of the money I gave him because Spain is now bankrupt because we gave him so much money. I wondered how the people would react when they learned how many maravedis I gave to Christopher Columbus