Charles II of Spain

Last king of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain.

He is remembered as a frail and sick monarch, a symbol of the decline of the Spanish dynasty and empire at the end of the 17th century.

His death led to the rise of the Bourbon dynasty, which modernized the country, but at the cost of a devastating war.

Historically, Charles II is a tragic figure, an extreme result of the Habsburgs' policy of consanguineous marriages.

Central problem: Charles II had no children, despite two marriages (Marie Louise of Orléans and Marianne of Neuburg).

In poor health, his succession became an international issue:

France (Bourbons) and Austria (Habsburgs) were fighting to inherit the throne.

Final will (1700): Charles designated as his successor Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, who would become Philip V of Spain.

Death: November 1, 1700, in Madrid, weakened and without heirs.

His death started the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), involving almost all of Europe.

The Spanish Empire was facing a deep economic crisis.

Constant deficits due to wars against France and England.

Mismanagement and heavy taxes affected the people.

Dependence on silver from the Americas weakened as mines began to decline.

Much of the royal treasury was used to pay debts to foreign creditors.

He became king at the age of 4, under the regency of his mother Mariana until 1675.

When he began to officially govern, he continued to be strongly influenced by advisors, nobles and the nobility, as he had limitations in exercising effective power.

Internal politics: marked by factional disputes at court and the weakness of the central government.

Foreign policy:

Spain was already in military and territorial decline, losing influence against Louis XIV's France.

He tried to preserve Spanish domains in Italy, the Netherlands and America, but with difficulties.

Born: November 6, 1661, in Madrid.

Family: Son of Philip IV of Spain and Mariana of Austria.

Health problems: He suffered severe physical and intellectual deformities due to the intense inbreeding of the House of Habsburg.

Deformed jaw (prognathism), difficulties chewing and speaking.

Late development: he only walked at age 8, and only spoke at around age 4.

His childhood was marked by frequent illnesses and strong protection from his mother, who acted as regent until he came of age.

Reign: September 17, 1665 – November 1, 1700 Predecessor: Philip IV Successor: Philip V Regent: Mariana of Austria (1665–1675) Born: November 6, 1661 Madrid, Crown of Castile, Spain Death: November 1, 1700 (aged 38) Madrid, Crown of Castile, Spain Burial: Escorial Monastery Spouses: Marie Louise of Orléans ( d. 1679; d. 1689 ) Maria Ana de Neuburgo (d. 1689) House: Habsburg Father: Philip IV of Spain Mother: Mariana of Austria Religion: Catholic For reasons still debated, Charles suffered from long periods of ill health throughout his life. This made the question of who would succeed him central to European diplomacy for much of his reign, with one historian writing that "from the day of his birth, they awaited his death." The two candidates for succession were Charles of Austria and Philip of Anjou, the 16-year-old grandson of Louis XIV of France. Shortly before his death in November 1700, Charles named the latter his heir, but the acquisition of an undivided Spanish Empire by either of them threatened the European balance of power and resulted in war.