The End of a Dynasty
Charles II the Bewitched occupies a decisive place in Spanish history, as his death in 1700 put an end to the Austrian branch that ruled Spain and triggered a succession crisis that changed the fate of the monarchy.
His name evokes one of the most enigmatic figures in Spanish history, whose reign took place in an era of economic difficulties, political disputes, military conflicts, and rivalries between the major European powers, while the monarchy retained vast territories in Europe and the Americas, although it also faced a loss of influence compared to other states.
The Birth and Childhood of a King in a Monarchy in Crisis
Charles II was born in Madrid on November 6, 1661, the son of Philip IV and Mariana of Austria, just a few days after the death of his older brother, Philip Prospero, who had been the heir. At that time, his birth ensured the immediate continuity of the dynasty, although no one could have foreseen then that his death, almost four decades later, would open a new political era.
When Philip IV died in 1665, Charles was barely three and a half years old, so due to his young age, his mother assumed the regency and ruled in the child's name, supported by a governing council and various advisors.
During those years, the court was divided by rivalries between those who defended the queen's authority and those who sought to gain influence over the future monarch.
Charles was declared of age in 1675, although his youth and the complexity of state affairs meant that the influence of ministers and advisors continued to be fundamental during his reign.
Charles II, as Charles II the Bewitched
Why Was Charles II Called the Bewitched?
Charles II suffered health problems since childhood, and his delicate constitution caught the attention of those around him.
Today, the accumulated inbreeding in the Austrian family is considered a relevant factor in understanding his condition, although it is not possible to establish a definitive medical diagnosis from historical accounts.
Some people attributed his ailments to a curse or the influence of the devil, a belief that gave rise to the nickname "the Bewitched," reflecting the mentality of an era in which religious and supernatural explanations coexisted with medical knowledge.
The King Himself Came to Believe He Was Bewitched
Charles II came to consult whether his health problems could be due to a spell, and in 1698, the investigations into this possibility involved the participation of his confessor, Friar Froilán Díaz, and the Grand Inquisitor, Tomás de Rocabertí.
During the investigations, statements were collected from people considered possessed, whose testimonies were used to try to discover the origin of the alleged curse and find out who could have caused it, in the hope of finding a way to end it, even going so far as to perform exorcisms on the monarch for this purpose.
What Did the Exorcisms Performed to Help the King Consist Of?
Exorcisms were religious ceremonies intended to expel the devil or free a person from an alleged evil influence through prayers, invocations, and ritual formulas.
In the case of Charles II, these practices were resorted to in an attempt to free him from the alleged spell, and among those who participated was the Capuchin Friar Mauro Tenda.
The Nickname That Ended Up Defining His Historical Image
The nickname "the Bewitched" ended up becoming one of Charles II's best-known traits, to the point that his figure is usually remembered for the illnesses and beliefs that surrounded him, above other aspects of his reign, despite the fact that there were many other noteworthy events, such as the economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the currency and promoting the recovery of Castile, the changes in the administration of the Treasury, and the initiatives to boost trade and scientific activity.
His Marriages and the Lack of an Heir
Charles II first married Maria Luisa of Orleans in 1679, who died in 1689 without having children, and in 1690 he married Mariana of Neuburg, but no heir was born from this union either. The absence of offspring made the succession a central concern of the court and European chancelleries.
Among the possible successors were members of the Houses of Austria, Bavaria, and France, but the death of José Fernando of Bavaria in 1699, one of the candidates with the greatest chances of inheriting the monarchy, further complicated negotiations.
Finally, Charles II signed his last will and testament on October 3, 1700, and designated Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France and a member of the House of Bourbon, as his heir, and his choice paved the way for a new dynasty in Spain, as after the death of Charles II on November 1, 1700, Philip ascended the throne as Philip V, the first Bourbon king of Spain, but the decision triggered a succession conflict that culminated in the War of the Spanish Succession.
