Isabella II of Spain

Reign: 1833 – 1868
Life: 1830–1904

She is the only queen regnant in the history of unified Spain. Shortly before Isabella's birth, her father issued the Pragmatic Sanction to revert the Salic Law and ensure the succession of his firstborn daughter, due to his lack of a son. She came to the throne a month before her third birthday, but her succession was disputed by her uncle, Infante Carlos (founder of the Carlist movement), whose refusal to recognize a female sovereign led to the Carlist Wars. In 1843, Isabella was declared of age and began her personal rule. Her reign was a period marked by palace intrigues, back-stairs and antechamber influences, barracks conspiracies, and military pronunciamientos. In September 1868, a naval mutiny began in Cádiz, marking the beginning of the Glorious Revolution.

During Isabella II of Spain's reign, Nicholas I of Russia ruled Russia, Frederick William IV of Prussia ruled Prussia, and William III of the Netherlands ruled Netherlands.

Further reading: Isabella II of Spain by Juan Sisinio Pérez

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