The Hidden History of Charles II: The Bewitched, the Last Spanish Habsburg Without Heirs
In the annals of the history of the House of Habsburg, few names evoke as much astonishment and tragedy as that of Charles II, nicknamed The Bewitched. This monarch, who reigned from 1665 to 1700, became the last Spanish Habsburg and, in turn, a symbol of the decline that affected a dynasty that had been synonymous with power and splendor in Europe. The story of Charles II is marked by his inability to have heirs, a fact that would trigger one of the most significant crises in the history of Spain and Europe. His life, an enigma filled with political intrigue, palace secrets, and a grim legacy, deserves to be explored in all its complexity.
The Grandeur of the House of Habsburg and the Rise of Charles II
The House of Habsburg, one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe, dominated vast territories through strategic marriages and conquests. In the 16th century, under the reign of Charles I (also known as Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire), Spain became the hegemonic power in Europe. However, the Habsburg grandeur began to fade with the arrival of Charles II, who was born on November 6, 1661, in the Royal Palace of Madrid.
From his childhood, Charles II's life was marked by tragedy. The Habsburgs were famous for their consanguineous marriages, a practice that, while ensuring power, also brought with it serious genetic health issues. Charles II’s mother, Maria Anna of Austria, and his father, Philip IV of Spain, were cousins, which contributed to the development of numerous health problems in their son. From a young age, Charles II showed signs of weakness and delays in his physical and mental development, leading several chroniclers of the time to consider him “bewitched.”