Charles II of Spain
The tragically inbred Spanish king whose feeble health and inability to produce an heir plunged Europe into a continent-wide war.
1661–1700 (age 39)·King of Spain from 1665 to 1700·Birthday: November 6
Biography
Charles II of Spain, known as "El Hechizado" (The Bewitched), was a monarch defined by his profound physical and mental infirmities, a living testament to the destructive consequences of Habsburg dynastic inbreeding. He ascended the throne at age four, with his mother acting as regent, but he was never fit to rule. Suffering from a host of genetic disorders likely including the 'Habsburg jaw' (mandibular prognathism) and intellectual disability, he was often ill and described as melancholic and weak. His two marriages failed to produce any living heirs, despite intense national prayers and the scrutiny of Europe. His court became a battleground for foreign ambassadors and domestic factions vying for influence over the clearly declining king and, more importantly, over the succession to the vast Spanish Empire. His death in 1700 was the final act of a long decline. By naming Philip of Anjou, a French Bourbon grandson of Louis XIV, as his heir, he directly triggered the War of the Spanish Succession, a massive conflict that redrew the map of Europe.
#1 When Charles Was Born
The biggest hits of 1661
Charles's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1661Born
1666Started school
1674Became a teenager
1677Could drive
1679Could vote
1682Turned 21
1691Turned 30
1700Died at 39
Key Achievements
- Was the last Habsburg ruler of the Spanish Empire, ending a dynasty that had held the throne since 1516.
- His death and contested will directly caused the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), a major European conflict.
- Presided, largely in name only, over a vast global empire that included territories in the Americas, Italy, and the Low Countries.
- Attempted economic and administrative reforms through his validos (favourites), though with limited success against entrenched decline.
- Formally married twice in strategic alliances, first to Marie Louise of Orléans and then to Maria Anna of Neuburg, in failed attempts to secure an heir.
Did You Know?
He was the product of generations of uncle-niece and first-cousin marriages; his own parents were uncle and niece.
Contemporary rumors attributed his poor health to witchcraft, leading to his nickname 'The Bewitched.'
He did not speak until age four and could not walk until age eight, according to court reports.
An autopsy performed after his death noted his heart was "the size of a grain of pepper," his lungs corroded, and his intestines rotten.
He had only one functioning testicle, which was noted in a post-mortem examination, contributing to his infertility.
“God will give me heirs.”
