He was the last of the Spanish Habsburg dynasty, physically disabled and mentally retarded. His mother was his regent during much of his reign. Though exiled by the king's illegitimate brother John of Austria, she returned to the regency after his death.
During his reign Spain continued its decline that had begun under his increasingly incompetent Habsburg ancestors. However, a peace treaty with Portugal in 1668 ceded Ceuta to Spain.
Charles married Marie Louise (1662-1689), daughter of Philippe I of Orleans. He produced no heir and named Philip Bourbon of Anjou as his successor, provoking the War of the Spanish Succession.
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Preceded by: Philip IV of Spain | List of Spanish monarchs |
Succeeded by: Philip V of Spain |