The Hidden History of the Habsburg Jaw: The Genetic Defect that Marked the End of a Dynasty with Charles II

The history of the House of Habsburg, one of the most powerful and feared dynasties in Europe, is steeped in grandeur, power, and, at times, decadence. In this epic tale, the fate of the dynasty intertwines with the tragic figure of Charles II, a king whose life was marked by the shadows of inbreeding and the influence of a disturbing genetic defect: the famous Habsburg jaw. This article unveils the palace secrets surrounding Charles II, revealing how a singular physical trait not only symbolized the monarch's personal ruin but also sealed the fate of one of the most influential royal houses in history.

The Grandeur of the House of Habsburg and the Arrival of Charles II

In the 16th century, the House of Habsburg was at the height of its power. With territories stretching from Spain to the Holy Roman Empire, its influence was undeniable. It was in this context that in 1665, Charles II, the last king of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain, was born. However, his lineage was already a mixture of intrigue and family conflicts, the result of generations of inbreeding that sought to maintain the purity of royal blood.

Charles II was the son of Philip IV of Spain and Mariana of Austria, a union that, while strategic, led the family to suffer the consequences of consanguinity. From his birth, the new king's health was compromised; chroniclers of the time described his physical and mental fragility, as well as the traits that would become emblematic: a prominent lower jaw and an elongated face, features that would soon be known as the Habsburg jaw.

The Habsburg Jaw: A Symbol of Decadence

The