Charles II
(Madrid, 1661 - Madrid, 1700)
The last of five children born to Philip IV (1605-1665) and his second wife, Mariana of Austria (1634-1696), the future Charles II was born just five days after the death of his older brother, Prince Felipe Prospero, then heir to the Spanish throne. A frail child, the Prince nonetheless managed to survive against all odds and succeed his father, Philip IV, to the throne on 17th September 1665. He was less than four years old when he became King of Spain, and his mother, Mariana of Austria, ruled as Regent until he was officially declared of age in November 1675. The infant King's education was entrusted to Francisco Ramos del Manzano and included elementary education, Catholic dogma, Latin, Italian and French,...