Charles II of Spain
1661 – 1700 · Generation XV · King of Spain (r. 1665–1700) · Spanish Habsburgs
Charles (1661 – 1700). King of Spain (r. 1665–1700). Married Marie Louise in 1679. Married Maria Anna in 1690. Last Spanish Habsburg; disabled by generations of inbreeding; died childless, extinguishing the line. The question of who would follow him shadowed European diplomacy for most of his reign — one historian wrote that “from the day of his birth, they were waiting for his death.” A minor at his accession, he began under the regency of his mother Mariana, whose ministers wound up the draining conflicts with France and Portugal. Recent scholarship softens the caricature: though frequently ill, he hunted with enthusiasm, received envoys in person, and diplomats who dealt with him judged his mind sound, if timid and short of confidence. Shortly before dying he named Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, heir to the undivided Spanish Empire — a choice that plunged Europe into the War of the Spanish Succession.
One of 7 people of Spanish Habsburgs (1500–1700) in this archive. The Madrid line, from the division of Charles V’s inheritance to the childless Charles II.
Line of descent: Rudolf I of Germany → Albert I of Germany → Albert II, Duke of Austria → Leopold III, Duke of Austria → Ernest, Duke of Austria → Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor → Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor → Philip I of Castile → Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor → Philip II of Spain → Philip III of Spain → Philip IV of Spain → Charles II of Spain.
Parents
- Philip IV of Spain (1605 – 1665)
- Mariana of Austria (1634 – 1696)
Siblings
- Balthasar Charles, Prince of Asturias (1629 – 1646) (half)
- Maria Theresa of Spain (1638 – 1683) (half)
- Margaret Theresa of Spain (1651 – 1673)
Partners
- Married Marie Louise d'Orléans (1662 – 1689) in 1679
- Married Maria Anna of Neuburg (1667 – 1740) in 1690
Life
- 1661 — Born
- 1679 — Married Marie Louise
- 1690 — Married Maria Anna
- 1700 — Died