08/05/2017
This scene is of Columbus and queen Isabella signing the contract for the expedition that discovered the Americas, a cost similar to that of the Apollo project.
For years CC had tried to secure funding, and the crown, who were prevented from establishing colonies in Africa by papal decree (in favour of rivals Portugal) were strapped for cash by their recent wars to unify all of Spain and expel the almohads.
So they suggested that the loot from sacking Granada would pay for it, hence CC camped out in the siege town of santa Fe. For two years!
When the moors gave up the town it was found to be broke.
The crown owed a fortune to the Jews for the recent wars, so.... They just decided to stiff them and expelled them too. (See the post of the expulsion of the Jews I made earlier. That painting was set in the same room as this statue: in the Alhambra).
To save themselves, the Jews offered to finance the expedition. CC was to get no money, just 10% of any trade
Of course when it was discovered just how rich the new lands were, the crown stiffed Columbus too.
He died in penury, ignorant that he had found the new world rather than a sea route to Asia.
