The Truth about Charles II: The Bewitched, the Last Spanish Habsburg Who Could Not Have Children

At the twilight of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain, the tragic figure of Charles II, known as The Bewitched, emerges. This monarch, who ruled from 1665 to 1700, has become a symbol of the decline of an empire that was once the most powerful in Europe. Despite his title, Charles II bore the heavy burden of impotence, being the last Habsburg on the Iberian Peninsula and, more devastatingly, a king without heirs, which altered the fate of entire nations.

The story of Charles II is filled with intrigue, curses, and a legacy that has fascinated historians and the curious alike. His life and reign represent the epitome of the struggle between greatness and ruin. In this article, we will unravel the secrets of his life, the rumors surrounding him, and the profound influence of his lineage on European history.

A Childhood Marked by Tragedy

Born on November 6, 1661, in the Royal Palace of Madrid, Charles II was the son of Philip IV and Mariana of Austria, both from the Habsburg family. From his birth, the fate of Charles II was sealed by inbreeding, a common practice among the Habsburgs who sought to maintain the purity of their lineage. However, this strategy came at a high cost: Charles II was born with multiple health problems, which would accompany him throughout his life, marking a reign filled with suffering and despair.

Contemporaneous chroniclers attest to his weak physical constitution. By the age of five, the effects of his fragile health were already apparent: he was unable to speak properly and was attributed with erratic behaviors. These conditions led many in the court of Madrid to begin murmuring about the "curse" that seemed to have fallen upon the last Spanish Habsburg, suggesting that his lineage was marked...