The New International Encyclopædia/Charles II. (Spain)

​CHARLES II. (1661–1700). King of Spain from 1665 to 1700. He was the son of Philip IV., and was but four years old when his father died, the regency being in the hands of the Queen-mother, Maria Anna of Austria. During her rule Spain was much weakened by an ​successful war with France, and by the loss of Sicily. In 1675 Charles assumed the government, taking for his chief adviser Don John, an illegitimate son of the late King, who was a man of ability. By marrying Louise of Orléans, a niece of Louis XIV., Charles maintained harmony with France for several years. After her death Charles married a sister of the Emperor Leopold I. He joined the Grand Alliance in the war against Louis XIV., which was concluded by the Peace of Ryswick (1697). Charles was childless, and was prevailed upon to appoint as his successor Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV. On his death, November 1, 1700, the claim of Philip of Anjou was contested and the War of the Spanish Succession ensued. See Succession Wars; Charles VI.; Louis XIV.