Charles II Biography

Birth of Charles II, son of Mariana de Austria & Philip IV

Begins his reign as a child king under his mother's regency.

Succeeds as King of Spain after the death of Philip IV.

The King's ministers grant Portugal its independence

The King's ministers grant Portugal its independence

The Triple Alliance of the Dutch Republic, England, and Sweden grant Louis the territory he had demanded at the start of the war but warn France against further expansion. Spain loses Lille & 11 fortresses on the border of the Spanish Netherlands

Spain loses Lille & 11 fortresses on the border of the Spanish Netherlands

The Triple Alliance of the Dutch Republic, England, and Sweden grant Louis the territory he had demanded at the start of the war but warn France against further expansion

During Charles regency Don John of Austria makes a failed bid to win power

Under the Treaty of Nijmegen Spain is forced to cede Franche Comte

Under the Treaty of Nijmegen Spain is forced to cede Franche Comte. Spain is forced to exhange fotresses with France to protect the Spanish Netherlands

Marries Marie Louise, daughter of Philip the Duke of Orleans

The Crown is unable to pay off its debts

Luxemburg passes from Spanish control to France.

Spain surrenders Luxemburg to France

An alliance of England, the United Provinces, Austria & Savoy against the French

Marries Maria Anna, sister-in-law of Leopold I

Spain surrenders Barcelona to France

Louis of France is forced to return all his conquests to Spain

Charles II and the Spanish court are not consulted by France, England and the Dutch Republic over the proposed partition of the Spanish Empire.

Charles II's final will rejects partition by naming Philip of Anjou heir to the undivided monarchy.

Charles II signs his final will naming Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, as heir to the Spanish monarchy.

Charles II signs a final will naming Philip of Anjou as heir to the Spanish monarchy.

Charles II is buried in the royal pantheon at El Escorial.

Charles II dies childless in Madrid, triggering the succession crisis that leads to European war.

Charles II dies childless, ending the Spanish Habsburg line.

Charles II dies childless at Madrid, ending the Spanish Habsburg line and triggering the succession crisis.

The death of Charles II ends nearly two centuries of Habsburg rule in Spain.

Charles II's death without children opens the succession conflict over the Spanish monarchy.

Charles II's death makes the partition treaties obsolete and opens the Spanish succession dispute.

The throne is claimed by Louis XIV for Philip V despite the Partition Treaty of 1698

The last Spanish Habsburg dies without an heir. Death of Charles II, the throne is claimed by Philip V grandson of Louis XIV