The Agony of Charles II: The Final Days of Spain's Most Ill King

The story of Charles II, known as "the Bewitched," is a tragic tale that reflects the decline of the House of Habsburg in Spain. On the brink of the 18th century, his reign became a symbol of illness, death, and the ruin of a dynasty that, at its peak, had dominated Europe. From the earliest days of his life, Charles II's body was marked by misfortune, and his final agony in 1700 was not just that of a man, but of an empire on the verge of disintegration.

The Beginning of a Royal Curse

Born on November 6, 1661, in the Royal Palace of Madrid, Charles II was the son of Philip IV and Mariana of Austria, a marriage that symbolized the union of two branches of the Habsburgs. However, the genetic closeness between his parents, both belonging to a family with a long tradition of inbreeding, was the cause of the multiple illnesses that would mark his life. From childhood, he was diagnosed with issues such as hydrocephalus, facial deformities, and weak physical development, leading many chroniclers of the time to wonder if the young king would ever be capable of ruling.

The Tragedy of a Powerless Monarch

As Charles II grew, his health deteriorated. His reign officially began in 1665, but his mother acted as regent until he turned 18. The administration of the empire was filled with political intrigue, and chroniclers such as the famous historian Luis de Guevara witnessed how the young king, unable to make decisions for himself, became a puppet in the hands of ambitious nobles. The struggle for power among the factions at court intensified, and popular discontent grew, further damaging the already fragile image of the monarchy.