Inter-marriage accentuated the so-called ' Habsburg jaw', a physical characteristic common to both Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs a contemporary reported this was so pronounced in Charles that he swallowed his food without thoroughly chewing, which resulted in frequent stomach problems. One suggestion is this policy may have been partially driven by Spanish limpieza de sangre or 'blood purity' statutes enacted in the early 16th century and which remained in use until the 1860s. Of eleven marriages contracted by Spanish monarchs between 14, the vast majority contained some element of consanguinity, while Philip and Mariana were one of two unions between uncle and niece. While European nobility commonly married within the same extended family to retain property, the Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs were unusual in the extent to which they followed this policy. However, the question of who inherited the crown was less important than the division of his territories, and failure to resolve the issue through diplomacy led to war in 1701.īorn on 6 November 1661, Charles was the only surviving son of 26-year-old Mariana of Austria (1634–1696) and her uncle, 56-year-old Philip IV of Spain (1605–1665). Despite this, his successors inherited an Empire that remained largely intact, while under his administration Spain played a prominent role in opposing the expansionist policies of Louis XIV of France.Īlthough Charles married twice, neither union produced children, and on his death in November 1700, he was succeeded by the 16-year-old Philip of Anjou, grandson of his elder sister Maria Theresa of Spain and Louis XIV. Historian John Langdon-Davies summarised his life as follows: 'Of no man is it more true to say that in his beginning was his end from the day of his birth, they were waiting for his death'.

įor reasons that are still debated, Charles experienced extended periods of ill health throughout his life and from the moment he became king at the age of three in 1665, the succession was a prominent consideration in European politics.

However, many of the issues Spain faced in this period were inherited from his predecessors and some recent historians have suggested a more balanced perspective. Best remembered for his physical disabilities and the War of the Spanish Succession that followed his death, Charles's reign has traditionally been viewed as one of managed decline.

Charles II of Spain (Spanish: Carlos II, 6 November 1661 – 1 November 1700), known as the Bewitched (Spanish: El Hechizado), was the last Habsburg ruler of the Spanish Empire.

The accursed king