The Enemy Outside the Gates: Isabel the Catholic Queen and the Extramural mujer varonil in Tirso de Molina’s Antona García

On December 13, 1474, Isabel of Trastámara assumed the throne as Queen of Castile. Chroniclers described her solemn procession through the streets of Segovia on horseback, wearing a gown richly ornamented with gold and precious stones. To complement the queen’s commanding display of wealth, a member of her retinue carried a powerful symbol that would come to epitomize her rule: an unsheathed sword. [excerpt