The Exorcisms of Charles II: When They Tried to Free the King from Enchantments

The story of Charles II, the last king of the House of Habsburg in Spain, is a tale that oscillates between grandeur and decay, between absolute power and imminent ruin. Amid a reign marked by superstition and intrigue, the dark episodes of the exorcisms conducted to free the monarch from supposed spells emerge. The chroniclers of the time spared no detail, narrating a moment when faith and fear of the unknown dominated the court. In the following article, we will explore these unsettling phenomena that surrounded Charles II and the impact they had on his reign.

The Birth of a King Trapped in Superstition

Born on November 6, 1661, in the Royal Palace of Madrid, Charles II was seen from childhood as a symbol of the decay of the House of Habsburg. His mother, Mariana of Austria, and his father, Philip IV, not only bequeathed him a title but also a series of health problems and physical deformities, which historians attribute to the characteristic inbreeding of the royal family. From a young age, Charles was considered a cursed king, and many at court began to murmur that his misfortune was the result of spells and curses.

Superstition was omnipresent in the 17th century, and the nobles did not hesitate to consult astrologers and healers. One of the most shocking documents of the time, the "Diary of the Court of Charles II," reveals that on more than one occasion, exorcisms were conducted in an effort to free the young king from the demons that were supposedly tormenting him. The atmosphere at court was tense, and the fear of "evil" permeated every corner of the Royal Palace.

The Climax of Decay: Exorcisms and Ritualism

In 1675, a crucial moment marked the life of Charles II: