1st November 1700
King Charles II of Spain died leaving no descendants. In the autumn he had made a will naming his successor as Philip of Bourbon, a grandson of Louis XIV backed by France. Upon any possible refusal, the crown of Spain would be offered next to Philip’s younger brother, the Duke of Berry, and then to the Archduke Charles of Austria.
Archduke Charles, supported by the Holy Roman Empire, England and the Netherlands did not accept Charles II’s testament.
Image: Portrait of Charles II of Spain, Juan Carreño, c. 1685
