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

The figure of Charles II, the last king of the House of Habsburg in Spain, is a tragic symbol of the decline of a dynasty that once dominated much of Europe. His life was marked by a chronic illness that not only affected his physical health but also had profound political and social repercussions in his kingdom. In this article, we will explore the final days of Charles II, a turbulent period that culminated in his death in 1700 and left Spain on the brink of a dynastic crisis.

The Decline of the House of Habsburg and the State of Charles II

Charles II was born on November 6, 1661, at the Royal Palace in Madrid, the son of Philip IV and Mariana of Austria. From birth, his health was problematic; rumors that he was a "cursed king" circulated among his contemporaries. He was attributed a series of ailments, ranging from mobility issues to mental disorders, leading many to consider his reign as cursed. Chroniclers of the time, such as the famous historian Henriquez de Villalobos, documented how the king's physical instability mirrored the political instability of the country.

The inbreeding of the House of Habsburg, which had sought to maintain its bloodline purity through family marriages, resulted in weak and sickly offspring. This fact became a recurring theme at court, where political intrigues and rumors about Charles II's inability to govern were not uncommon. In 1675, at the age of 14, Charles II was declared king, but his condition kept him away from state decisions, and his mother, Mariana of Austria, assumed the regency.

The Last Days of Charles II and the Reality of His Illness

Charles II's health continued to deteriorate as