List of Spanish monarchs

This is a list of monarchs of Spain, a dominion started with the dynastic union of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain— Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile.

The regnal numbers follow those of the rulers of Asturias, León, and Castile. Thus, Alfonso XII is numbered in succession to Alfonso XI of Castile.

Forerunners

The following seven lineages were eventually united by the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella.

Although Aragon and Castile continued to be separate, they were ruled together until the Nueva Planta decrees.

House of Trastámara (1479–1516)

Under Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, their royal dynasties were united into a single line. Historiography of Spain generally treats this as the formation of the Kingdom of Spain, but officially speaking, the two kingdoms continued with their own separate institutions for more than two centuries. It was not until the Nueva Planta decrees of 1707–1716 that the two lands were formally merged into a single state.

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family
Isabella I the Catholic Spanish: Isabel I	(1451-04-22)22 April 1451 – 26 November 1504(1504-11-26) (aged 53)	11 December 1474 Castile	26 November 1504 Castile	Daughter of John II of Castile and Isabella of Portugal	Trastámara
Ferdinand V & II the Catholic Spanish: Fernando V & II	(1452-03-10)10 March 1452 – 23 January 1516(1516-01-23) (aged 63)	15 January 1475 Castile 20 January 1479 Aragon	26 November 1504 Castile 23 January 1516 Aragon	Son of John II of Aragon and Juana Enríquez	Trastámara
Joanna^{[note 1]} the Mad Spanish: Juana I	(1479-11-06)6 November 1479 – 12 April 1555(1555-04-12) (aged 75)	26 November 1504 Castile 23 January 1516 Aragon	12 April 1555	Daughter of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon	Trastámara
Philip I the Handsome Spanish: Felipe I	(1478-07-22)22 July 1478 – 25 September 1506(1506-09-25) (aged 28)	27 June 1506 Castile	25 September 1506 Castile	Husband of Joanna of Castile	Habsburg

House of Habsburg (1516–1700)

Following the deaths of Isabella (1504) and Ferdinand (1516), their daughter Joanna inherited the Spanish kingdoms. However, she was kept prisoner at Tordesillas due to an alleged mental disorder. As Joanna's son, Charles I (the future Holy Roman Emperor Charles V), did not want to be merely a regent, he proclaimed himself king of Castile and Aragon jointly with his mother. Subsequently, Castilian and Aragonese Cortes recognized him as co-monarch along with his mother. Upon her death, he became sole King of Castile and Aragon, and the thrones were left permanently united to Philip II of Spain and successors. Traditional numbering of monarchs follows the Castillian crown; i.e. after King Ferdinand (II of Aragon and V of Castile jure uxoris as husband of Queen of Castille Isabella I), the next Ferdinand was numbered VI. Likewise, Alfonso XII takes his number following that of Alfonso XI of Castile rather than that of Alfonso V of Aragon, the prior Spanish monarch with that name.^{[citation needed]}

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family
Charles I the Emperor Spanish: Carlos I	(1500-02-24)24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558(1558-09-21) (aged 58)	14 March 1516	16 January 1556 (39 years, 10 months and 2 days)	Son of Joanna and Philip I of Castile Nominally co-monarch with Joanna till 1555, while she was confined	Habsburg
Philip II the Prudent Spanish: Felipe II	(1527-05-21)21 May 1527 – 13 September 1598(1598-09-13) (aged 71)	16 January 1556	13 September 1598 (42 years, 7 months and 28 days)	Son of Charles I	Habsburg
Philip III the Pious Spanish: Felipe III	(1578-04-14)14 April 1578 – 31 March 1621(1621-03-31) (aged 42)	13 September 1598	31 March 1621 (22 years, 6 months and 18 days)	Son of Philip II	Habsburg
Philip IV the Great Spanish: Felipe IV	(1605-04-08)8 April 1605 – 17 September 1665(1665-09-17) (aged 60)	31 March 1621	17 September 1665 (44 years, 5 months and 17 days)	Son of Philip III	Habsburg
Charles II the Bewitched Spanish: Carlos II	(1661-11-06)6 November 1661 – 1 November 1700(1700-11-01) (aged 38)	17 September 1665	1 November 1700 (35 years, 1 month and 15 days)	Son of Philip IV	Habsburg

In the year 1700, Charles II died. His will named the 16-year-old Philip, Duke of Anjou, the grandson of Charles's sister Maria Theresa of Spain, as his successor to the whole Spanish Empire.^[1] Upon any possible refusal of the undivided Spanish possessions, the Crown of Spain would be offered next to Philip's younger brother Charles, Duke of Berry, or, next, to Archduke Charles of Austria.^[2]

Both claimants, both Charles of Austria and Philip, had a legal right to the Spanish throne because Philip's grandfather, King Louis XIV of France and Charles's father, Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, were sons of Charles II's aunts, Anne and Maria Anna. Philip claimed primogeniture because Anne was older than Maria Anna. However, Philip IV had stipulated in his will the succession should pass to the Austrian Habsburg line, and the Austrian branch also claimed that Maria Theresa, Philip's grandmother, had renounced the Spanish throne for herself and her descendants as part of her marriage contract. This was countered by the French claim that it was on the basis of a dowry that had never been paid.^[3]

After a long council meeting where the Dauphin spoke up in favour of his son's rights, it was agreed that Philip would ascend the throne.^[4] Following this, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out and Archduke Charles was also proclaimed king of Spain, as Charles III, in opposition to Philip V. He was proclaimed in Vienna,^[5] and also in Madrid in the years 1706 and 1710. Charles renounced his claims to the Spanish throne in the Treaty of Rastatt of 1714, but was allowed the continued use of the styles of a Spanish monarch for his lifetime. Philip ascended the Spanish throne but had to renounce his claim to the throne of France for himself and his descendants.^[6]

Disputed claimant of the House of Habsburg

Portrait	Coat of arms	Name	Life	Reign	Titles	Claim
		Archduke Charles of Austria, as Charles III Archiduque Carlos (Carlos III)	1 October 1685 – 20 October 1740 (aged 55)	12 September 1703 – 2 July 1715 (11 years, 9 months and 20 days)	King of Spain, Naples, Sicily and Sardinia Duke of Milan Sovereign of the Netherlands	Great-grandson of Philip III Far-descendant of Philip I

House of Bourbon (1700–1808)

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family
Philip V the Spirited Spanish: Felipe V	(1683-12-19)19 December 1683 – 9 July 1746(1746-07-09) (aged 62)	16 November 1700	14 January 1724 (23 years, 1 month and 30 days)	Great-grandson of Philip IV Half-grandnephew of Charles II	Bourbon
Louis I the Beloved and the Liberal Spanish: Luis I	(1707-08-25)25 August 1707 – 31 August 1724(1724-08-31) (aged 17)	15 January 1724	31 August 1724 (7 months and 17 days)	Son of Philip V	Bourbon
Philip V the Spirited Spanish: Felipe V	(1683-12-19)19 December 1683 – 9 July 1746(1746-07-09) (aged 62)	6 September 1724	9 July 1746 (21 years, 10 months and 3 days)	Father of Louis I	Bourbon
Ferdinand VI the Learned Spanish: Fernando VI	(1713-09-23)23 September 1713 – 10 August 1759(1759-08-10) (aged 45)	9 July 1746	10 August 1759 (13 years, 1 month and 1 day)	Son of Philip V	Bourbon
Charles III the Enlightened and the King-Mayor Spanish: Carlos III	(1716-01-20)20 January 1716 – 14 December 1788(1788-12-14) (aged 72)	10 August 1759	14 December 1788 (29 years, 4 months and 4 days)	Son of Philip V	Bourbon
Charles IV the Hunter Spanish: Carlos IV	(1748-11-11)11 November 1748 – 20 January 1819(1819-01-20) (aged 70)	14 December 1788	19 March 1808 (19 years, 3 months and 5 days)	Son of Charles III	Bourbon
Ferdinand VII the Desired and the Felon King Spanish: Fernando VII	(1784-10-14)14 October 1784 – 29 September 1833(1833-09-29) (aged 48)	19 March 1808	6 May 1808 (1 month 17 days)	Son of Charles IV	Bourbon

House of Bonaparte (1808–1813)

The only monarch from this dynasty was Joseph I, imposed by his brother Napoleon I of France after Charles IV and Ferdinand VII had abdicated. The title used by Joseph I was King of the Spains and the Indias, by the Grace of God and the Constitution of the State. He was also later given all of the titles of the previous kings. A government in opposition to the French was formed in Cádiz on 25 September 1808, which continued to recognize the imprisoned Ferdinand VII as king. This government was diplomatically recognized as the legitimate Spanish government by Britain and other countries at war with France.

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Joseph I the Intruder and Bottle Joe ^{[note 2]} Spanish: José I	(1768-01-07)7 January 1768 – 28 July 1844(1844-07-28) (aged 76)	6 June 1808	11 December 1813 (5 years, 6 months and 5 days)	Older brother of Emperor Napoleon	Bonaparte

House of Bourbon (1813–1868)

Charles IV's eldest son was restored to the throne. Again, the title used was king of Castile, Leon, Aragon,… by the Grace of God.

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Ferdinand VII the Desired the Felon King Spanish: Fernando VII	(1784-10-14)14 October 1784 – 29 September 1833(1833-09-29) (aged 48)	11 December 1813	29 September 1833 (19 years, 9 months and 18 days)	Son of Charles IV	Bourbon
Isabella II the Queen of Sad Mischance the Traditional Queen Spanish: Isabel II	(1830-10-10)10 October 1830 – 9 April 1904(1904-04-09) (aged 73)	29 September 1833	30 September 1868 (35 years and 1 day)	Daughter of Ferdinand VII	Bourbon

House of Savoy (1870–1873)

After the Spanish Revolution of 1868 deposed Isabella II, while a new monarch was sought, a provisional government and a regency headed by Francisco Serrano y Domínguez from 8 October 1868 until 2 January 1871 was established. Amadeo was elected as king and the new title used was King of Spain, by the Grace of God and will of the nation.

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Amadeo I the Knight King the Elected one	(1845-05-30)30 May 1845 – 18 January 1890(1890-01-18) (aged 44)	16 November 1870	11 February 1873 (2 years, 2 months and 26 days)	Elected by Cortes Generales Great-great-grandson of Charles III	Savoy

Spanish Republic (1873–1874)

House of Bourbon (1874–1931)

Isabella II's eldest son was restored to the throne as she had abdicated in his favour in 1870. Unlike previous Spanish rulers, the restored Bourbons led as constitutional monarchs.

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Alfonso XII the Peacemaker	(1857-11-28)28 November 1857 – 25 November 1885(1885-11-25) (aged 27)	29 December 1874	25 November 1885 (10 years, 10 months and 27 days)	Son of Isabella II	Bourbon
Alfonso XIII the African	(1886-05-17)17 May 1886 – 28 February 1941(1941-02-28) (aged 54)	17 May 1886	14 April 1931 (44 years, 10 months and 28 days)	Posthumous son of Alfonso XII	Bourbon

Spanish Republic (1931–1939)

Dictatorship of Francisco Franco (1939–1975)

On 1 October 1936, General Francisco Franco was proclaimed "Leader of Spain" (Spanish: Caudillo de España) in the parts of Spain controlled by the Nationalists (nacionales) after the Spanish Civil War broke out. At the end of the war, on 1 April 1939, Franco took control of the whole of Spain, ending the Second Republic. The 36-year period that followed would be officially called the Estado Español, or the Spanish State. Although Franco proclaimed the restoration of the monarchy in 1947, he did not allow the pretender, Juan, Count of Barcelona, to take the throne. Instead, 22 years later, in 1969, he declared as his successor Juan Carlos, Prince of Spain and son of the Count of Barcelona. This succession took place upon Franco's death in 1975, when Juan Carlos became King of Spain. A three-year transition to democracy followed during which the apparatus of the Franco government was gently dismantled and preparations for a new system, from 1978, were laid.

House of Bourbon (1975–present)

Alfonso XIII's claim descended (due to his two eldest sons' renunciations) to his third son, Juan of Bourbon, Count of Barcelona, who was passed over in favour of his eldest son, whose title is King of Spain. The Count of Barcelona formally renounced his claims in favour of his son in 1977, two years after Franco's death and Juan Carlos's accession.

Juan Carlos abdicated in favor of his son Felipe VI, who became king on 19 June 2014, with Felipe's older daughter, Leonor, next in succession.^[7]

Name	Lifespan	Reign start	Reign end	Notes	Family	Image
Juan Carlos I ^{[note 3]}	(1938-01-05) 5 January 1938 (age 86)	22 November 1975	19 June 2014 (38 years, 6 months and 28 days)	Grandson of Alfonso XIII	Bourbon
Felipe VI	(1968-01-30) 30 January 1968 (age 56)	19 June 2014	Incumbent	Son of Juan Carlos I	Bourbon

Timeline of Spanish monarchs

Notes

^ Joanna was confined from 1509 till her death for alleged insanity.
^ Spanish: Pepe Botella
^ Due to Franco's illness, Prince Juan Carlos held the post of head of state as an interim measure from 19 July to 2 September 1974, and again from 30 October to 20 November 1975. On 22 November, two days after Franco's death, Juan Carlos was proclaimed King by the Cortes.

References

^ Kamen, Henry. "Philip V of Spain: The King who Reigned Twice". Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-300-08718-7 P6
^ Kamen, Henry. "Philip V of Spain:: The King who Reigned Twice", p.6. Published by Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-300-08718-7
^ Durant, Will. "The Age of Louis XIV", p.699. Simon and Schuster, New York 1963.
^ Kamen, Henry. "Philip V of Spain:: The King who Reigned Twice" Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-300-08718-7 P158
^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Charles VI." . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 905.
^ Kamen, Henry. "Philip V of Spain:: The King who Reigned Twice", p.158. Published by Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-300-08718-7
^ "Leonor becomes a crown princess". El Pais.

External links

Monarchs of Spain (700–present)
Media related to Monarchs of Spain at Wikimedia Commons

[1] Joanna was confined from 1509 till her death for alleged insanity.

[8] Spanish: Pepe Botella

[10] Due to Franco's illness, Prince Juan Carlos held the post of head of state as an interim measure from 19 July to 2 September 1974, and again from 30 October to 20 November 1975. On 22 November, two days after Franco's death, Juan Carlos was proclaimed King by the Cortes.

[2] Kamen, Henry. "Philip V of Spain: The King who Reigned Twice". Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-300-08718-7 P6

[kamen-3] Kamen, Henry. "Philip V of Spain:: The King who Reigned Twice", p.6. Published by Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-300-08718-7

[4] Durant, Will. "The Age of Louis XIV", p.699. Simon and Schuster, New York 1963.

[5] Kamen, Henry. "Philip V of Spain:: The King who Reigned Twice" Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-300-08718-7 P158

[6] Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Charles VI." . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 905.

[7] Kamen, Henry. "Philip V of Spain:: The King who Reigned Twice", p.158. Published by Yale University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-300-08718-7

[9] "Leonor becomes a crown princess". El Pais.

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v t e Monarchs of Spain
List of monarchs \| Monarchs' family tree
Dynastic union	Isabella I & Ferdinand V Joanna & Philip I
Personal union	Charles I Philip II Philip III Philip IV Charles II
Real union	Philip V Louis I Philip V Ferdinand VI Charles III Charles IV Joseph Ferdinand VII Isabella II Amadeo Alfonso XII Alfonso XIII Juan Carlos I Felipe VI