Monarch of Spain. Charles II was the successor and the only son of King Philip IV and his second wife, Mariana of Austria. This was a consanguine marriage as his parents were related as an uncle to a niece, which was a fairly common practice in the House of Habsburg. Born with several health problems including a malformed jaw, he was two years old before he was able to speak. With him ended the influence and dominion of the Habsburg dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula and in the overseas territories. His government is considered purely symbolic as he ascended to the throne two months before reaching the age of four in 1665, thus he was under the regency of his mother Marianna of Austria and a Council of officials and religious notables. Even later, being of poor health and upon reaching the age of majority in 1675, he entrusted the care of the state to political eminences of the Spanish court. Poor health altered his entire life, which included his formal education and learning social graces. To his credit, according to historians, is to be attributed an acceptable stability of the state after the long phase of decline and the regulation of civil, criminal and religious codes, known as the Laws of the Indies. He married twice but did not produce an heir. Upon his death, the Spanish throne, which had several worthy candidates, was given to his half-sister's grandson, Philip V of Spain.
Monarch of Spain. Charles II was the successor and the only son of King Philip IV and his second wife, Mariana of Austria. This was a consanguine marriage as his parents were related as an uncle to a niece, which was a fairly common practice in the House of Habsburg. Born with several health problems including a malformed jaw, he was two years old before he was able to speak. With him ended the influence and dominion of the Habsburg dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula and in the overseas territories. His government is considered purely symbolic as he ascended to the throne two months before reaching the age of four in 1665, thus he was under the regency of his mother Marianna of Austria and a Council of officials and religious notables. Even later, being of poor health and upon reaching the age of majority in 1675, he entrusted the care of the state to political eminences of the Spanish court. Poor health altered his entire life, which included his formal education and learning social graces. To his credit, according to historians, is to be attributed an acceptable stability of the state after the long phase of decline and the regulation of civil, criminal and religious codes, known as the Laws of the Indies. He married twice but did not produce an heir. Upon his death, the Spanish throne, which had several worthy candidates, was given to his half-sister's grandson, Philip V of Spain.
Bio by: Lucy & Chris
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