From the moment he arrived in Spain, Columbus worked tirelessly to secure support for his quest to sail westward to the Indies. He sought a meeting with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. However, before he could meet with the monarchs, he first had to present his ideas to the Royal Council, which subsequently rejected his proposal. Undeterred, Columbus requested a personal interview with the King and Queen, and his request was granted.

On January 20, 1485, Columbus presented his plans to the monarchs. They were intrigued by his proposal, prompting them to establish a Royal Commission to further examine it. Despite thorough review, the commission rejected Columbus's arguments and calculations. Nevertheless, the monarchs weren't ready to dismiss Columbus entirely. They indicated that they might support his voyage in the future, once their war with the Muslims concluded. In the interim, they provided Columbus with a modest grant to continue developing his venture.

Columbus persisted in his efforts to persuade the monarchs. However, by 1491, he had grown frustrated with their hesitancy and contemplated leaving Spain. He received one more audience with the King and Queen. The discussions were inconclusive, leading Columbus to make plans to depart. But in a surprising turn of events, King Ferdinand, who had largely left the negotiations to Isabella, called Columbus back and agreed to finance his expedition. What made King Fernando change his mind will remain a mystery.

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