Philipp V

Philip V of Spain, also known as Philippe Duc d’Anjou reigned Spain from 1700-1746 as the first king of the Bourbon dynasty which still reigns today.

Philip of Anjou reluctantly became king of Spain in 1700 as the successor of Carlos II (from the House of Hapsburg) who declared on his death bed that the French Duke of Anjou should inherit the throne. This triggered the War of Spanish Succession.

Philip was born as the son of Louis, the son of Louis XIV of France, and Marie Anne who was daughter to Ferdinand, elector of Bavaria. When Philip became king of Spain he inherited the throne of a large empire that consisted of Spain, Spanish America, the Spanish Netherlands, and parts of Italy. In 1713 however, in the Treaty of Utrecht his territories were diminished so that only Spain and Spanish America were left to him.

Philip was married twice. After the death of his first wife, María Luisa of Savoy, he married Princess Isabella Farnese. She had a huge influence on Philip and was the reason why Spain was involved in wars for territory in Italy for example. In January 1724, he abdicated from the Spanish throne and his oldest son Luis took over. But only seven months later in August 1724 Luis died of smallpox so that Philip V took over the throne again. Philip’s reign is usually seen as a period of reforms and a time in which Spain was again more active in international affairs. He supported many developments in the different fields of for instance politics, government, finance etc.

Sources:

Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. 27 Jul 2013 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/456228/Philip-V>.

Kamen, Henry. Philip V of Spain: The King Who Reigned Twice.New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001.