Which dynasties claimed the Spanish throne after Charles II died?

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Following the death of Charles II in 1700, the Spanish throne became the subject of intense dynastic competition between the House of Habsburg and the House of Bourbon.12

The primary claims were as follows:

  • The House of Bourbon: The claim was based on the marriage of Louis XIV to Marie-ThĂ©rĂšse, the sister of Charles II. Although she had renounced her succession rights upon marriage, this claim was pursued by their grandson, Philip, duc d’Anjou, whom Charles II ultimately named as his sole heir in his final will.12
  • The House of Habsburg: This claim was rooted in the marriage of the emperor Leopold I to Margarita Teresa, another sister of Charles II. The Habsburgs sought the throne for their candidate, the archduke Charles.12
  • The House of Wittelsbach: Initially, the electoral prince Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria—a grandnephew of Charles II—was widely regarded as the heir presumptive. However, his death in 1699 effectively removed this branch from the succession crisis.12

The resulting conflict, known as the War of the Spanish Succession, was driven by the European powers' desire to maintain a balance of power and prevent the unification of the French and Spanish crowns.12