The Royal History of Spain
Readers of this blog already knew that I really have a big fascination for Spain and I like to go there each year on holiday. Besides all this, Belgium and Spain has important royal connections together:
- Emperor Charles V was born in Ghent (nowadays located in Flanders,
Belgium);
- King Philip II, who ruled over the Habsburg Netherlands
and at least our Queen Fabiola. She was born in Madrid .
I really hope you enjoy this page about the Royal History of Spain.
 |
| Spain Costa Blanca - own picture taken in 2018 |
Although the real history of Spain start earlier, I start on this page in the important year: 1492.
Before Spain was a mix of different Kingdoms but on 19 October 1469, Ferdinand II of Aragon married Queen Isabella I of Castile. This royal wedding was important for the unification of Spain. In these days Spain was ruled by Moorish Muslims, who had conquered the region from Northern Africa.
Ferdinand II
Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile had 7 children inter alia:
- Isabella, who became Queen of Portugal
- John, who married Archduchess Margaret of Austria
- Joanna, Queen of Castile, who married Archduke Philip of Austria
- Maria, who married her sister's widower and became Queen of Portugal
- Catherina, who became Queen Consort of England and the first wife of
King Henry VIII.
Ferdinand II of Aragon was due to his marriage King Ferdinand V of Castile.
own picture of the Royal Alcazar of Seville
More about the Cathedral of Seville, Spain on this link.
👉 King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile established in 1478 the Spanish Inquisition.
👉 In 1492, the monarchs conquered the city of Granada. 1492 is an important date in the Spanish history. From then on, every single man and woman in Spain was ruled by the same monarchs.
👉 After the Spanish monarchs conquered Granada, they met Christopher Columbus. On August 3rd. 1492, the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria put out to Sea from Palos. 8 months later a brand 'new' world was discovered.
Isabella I of Castille died on 26 November 1504. She was buried at the Royal Chapel in Granada, Spain.
Ferdinand II of Aragon died on 23 January 1516 at the age of 63 (after he married Germaine of Foix).
Joanna
King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile were succeeded by their daughter Joanna. She also was called Joanna the Mad. Joanna and her parents were members of the House of Trastámara.
Joanna was married to Philip the Handsome. He was a member of the House of Habsburg.
More about Philip the Handsome on this link.
Charles I
Joanna was succeeded by her famous son who even became Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. His empire really was large, it was called: 'The Empire on which the sun never sets'.
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor was a member of the noble House of Habsburg.
On this blog, I already made a page of the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg, this is the second page of this important dynasty.
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor had as motto: "Plus Ultra". This still is used by the modern monarchs of Spain.
👉 On 17 September 1517, Charles came for the first time to Spain, where he was the new King. When he arrived Charles spoke no Spanish at all. However Charles' reign marked the Golden Age in Spanish History.
👉 In 1519, Charles' grandfather, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I died.
Famous painters:
* Murillo;
* El Greco;
* Velazquez.
Charles abdicated as Emperor and as King of Spain in 1556. He died on 21 September 1558 at the age of 58.
Philip II
Philip II of Spain was born on 21 May 1527.
Philip II of Spain became the new ruler after his father abdicated in his favour. This took place in 1556 in Brussels (nowadays Belgium).
This Philip II married 4 times
1/ Maria Manuela of Portugal
2/ Mary I of England
More about this royal wedding on this link.
3/ Elisabeth of Valois
4/ Anna of Austria
Philip II of Spain also was a member of the noble House of Habsburg.One of his daughters, Isabella Clara Eugenia who married Archduke Albert VII of Austria. They became governors of The Netherlands. More about Isabella Clara Eugenia on this link.
This Philip II married 4 times
1/ Maria Manuela of Portugal
2/ Mary I of England
More about this royal wedding on this link.
3/ Elisabeth of Valois
4/ Anna of Austria
Philip II of Spain also was a member of the noble House of Habsburg.One of his daughters, Isabella Clara Eugenia who married Archduke Albert VII of Austria. They became governors of The Netherlands. More about Isabella Clara Eugenia on this link.
👉 In the Low Countries there was the Rise of Calvinism. Religious Wars broke out and King Philip II tried to stop them with the help of the Iron Duke of Alba.
👉 In 1580 King Philip II of Spain became King of Portugal too.
👉 In 1588, he sent an armada to invade Protestant England. He wanted to overthrow Queen Elisabeth I of England and to set up a Catholic reign. This failed.
Philip II of Spain died on 13 September 1598.
Philip III
Philip III of Spain was born on 14 April 1578.
Philipp III of Spain followed his father as ruler of Spain. He married Margaret of Austria, a daughter of Archduke Charles II of Austria and Maria Anna of Bavaria.
This royal couple had children inter alia
- Anne, Queen of France;
- Philip IV, King of Spain;
- Maria Anna, Holy Roman Empress;
- Infante Charles of Spain;
- Cardinal Infante Ferdinand
They were all members of the noble House of Habsburg.
This royal couple had children inter alia
- Anne, Queen of France;
- Philip IV, King of Spain;
- Maria Anna, Holy Roman Empress;
- Infante Charles of Spain;
- Cardinal Infante Ferdinand
They were all members of the noble House of Habsburg.
👉 He also was:
King of Portugal;
King of Naples & Sicily;
King of Sardinia;
Duke of Milan.
King Philip III of Spain died on 31 March 1621.
Philip IV
Philip IV of Spain was born on 8 April 1605.
Philip IV of Spain married twice.
1/ Elizabeth of France
2/ Mariana of Austria
They had lots of children inter alia:
- Maria Theresa of Austria, who married King Louis XIV of France;
- Margaret Theresa of Austria, who married Leopold I, Holy Roman
Emperor;
- Charles II of Spain.
1/ Elizabeth of France
2/ Mariana of Austria
They had lots of children inter alia:
- Maria Theresa of Austria, who married King Louis XIV of France;
- Margaret Theresa of Austria, who married Leopold I, Holy Roman
Emperor;
- Charles II of Spain.
Philip IV of Spain died on 17 September 1665. More about him on this link.
Charles II
Charles II of Spain was born on 6 November 1661. He suffered ill-health during his whole life as well as a depression.
1/ Marie Louise d'Orléans niece of King Louis XIV of France
2/ Maria Anna of Neuburg.
Charles died on 1 November 1700 without heirs. The Spanish crown was offered to Philip, a grandson of King Louis XIV of France and Maria Theresa of Austria.
Philip V
Philip V of Spain was a member of the royal house of Bourbon.
He married twice.
1/ Mara Luisa of Savoy
2/ Elsabeth Farnesse.
He had lots of issue inter alia:
- Louis I of Spain;
- Ferdinand VI of Spain;
- Charles III of Spain;
- Infanta Maria Antonia of Spain, who became Queen Consort of
Sardinia.
Philip V of Spain was succeeded by King Louis I of Spain, who died a few months later of smallpox. King Philip V returned to duty until he died.
Ferdinand VI
He was succeeded by Ferdinand VI of Spain and later by Charles III of Spain.
Charles III
King Charles III of Spain was succeeded by Charles IV of Spain (notan original name though ....).
Charles IV
Ferdinand VII
From 1808-1813 the Kingdom of Spain was ruled by Joseph I, who was imposed by his brother Napoleon I of France. His title was King of the Spains and the Indias, by the Grace of God and the Constitution of the State.
Joseph I
Charles IV's eldest son was restored to the throne in 1813. Again the title used was king of Castle, Leon, Aragon, ... by the Grace of God.
Ferdinand VII
Isabella II
Amadeo I
Spanish Republic (1873-1874)
Kingdom of Spain (1874-1931)
Alfonso XII
He was the son of Queen Isabella II. He belonged to the royal house of Bourbon.
Alfonso XIII
Spanish republic (1931-1939)
Spanish State (1936-1975)
Spanish State (1936-1975)
On 1 October 1936, General Francisco Franco was proclaimed Leader of Spain in the parts of Spain controlled by the Nationalists after the Spanish Civil War broke out.
On 1 April 1939, Franco took control of the whole of Spain. In 1947, Franco proclaimed the restoration of the monarchy but did not allow the pretender, Juan, Count of Barcelona to take take throne.
On 1 April 1939, Franco took control of the whole of Spain. In 1947, Franco proclaimed the restoration of the monarchy but did not allow the pretender, Juan, Count of Barcelona to take take throne.
In 1969, Franco declared that Juan Carlos, Prince of Spain, the Count of Barcelona's son would be his successor. After Franco's death in 1975, Juan Carlos became King of Spain. They were members of the House of Bourbon.
Felipe VI is the son of Juan Carlos I. He reigned from 18 June 2014 as King of Spain.
Juan Carlos I
Juan Carlos was the grandson of Alfonso XIII. He reigned from 22 November 1975 till 18 June 2014. More about Juan Carlos I on this link.
Felipe VI
Felipe VI is the son of Juan Carlos I. He reigned from 18 June 2014 as King of Spain.
More about King Felipe VI of Spain on this link
Comments