Charles II of Spain

Reign: 1665 – 1700
Life: 1661–1700

For reasons still debated, Charles experienced lengthy periods of ill health throughout his life. This made the question of who would succeed him central to European diplomacy for much of his reign, with one historian writing that "from the day of his birth, they were waiting for his death". The two candidates for the succession were Charles of Austria, and Philip of Anjou, the 16-year-old grandson of Louis XIV of France. Charles made the latter his heir shortly before dying in November 1700, but the acquisition of an undivided Spanish Empire by either threatened the European balance of power and resulted in war.

During Charles II of Spain's reign, Louis XIV of France ruled France, Aurangzeb ruled Mughal Empire, and Kangxi Emperor ruled China.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Imperial Spain, 1469–1716 by J. H. Elliott

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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From the library

Go deeper on Charles II of Spain

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Imperial Spain, 1469–1716

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