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Alfonso XII of Spain

Royal Palace of Madrid, 28 Nov 1857 – Royal Palace of El Pardo, 25 Nov 1885

12 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born28 Nov 1857, Royal Palace of Madridnot verified1 source
  • MarriedMaria Christina of Austrianot verified1 source
  • TitlePrince of Asturias, 1857–1868or Head of State of Spain, 1874–1885 · Monarch of Spain, 1874–1885not verified1 source
  • TitleHead of State of Spain, 1874–1885or Prince of Asturias, 1857–1868 · Monarch of Spain, 1874–1885not verified1 source
  • TitleMonarch of Spain, 1874–1885or Prince of Asturias, 1857–1868 · Head of State of Spain, 1874–1885not verified1 source
  • Died25 Nov 1885, Royal Palace of El Pardonot verified1 source
  • FatherFrancisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiznot verified1 source
  • MotherIsabella II of Spainnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 1857–1868

    Prince of Asturias

  2. 28 Nov 1857

    Born in Royal Palace of Madrid

  3. 1874–1885

    Head of State of Spain

  4. 1874–1885

    Monarch of Spain

  5. 1880–1886

    5 children are born

  6. 25 Nov 1885

    Dies in Royal Palace of El Pardo, aged 27

Family

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Parents

Partners

Children · 5

During his lifetime

He lived through 4 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Royal Palace of Madrid.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1850s · Alfonso XII is born in Royal Palace of Madrid

In the news1857

1857: Moyano Law mandates primary schooling

The 1857 Moyano Law mandated school attendance for all children aged 6 to 9, aiming to improve basic literacy.

What people wore

Popularity of head scarves in Navarra

Head scarves were the most common head covering for Navarrese women at mid-century, used by over 37% of the population, sometimes reaching up to 55% in specific areas.

Daily life

Buying fish for 2 reales

In Santoña, residents could buy fresh fish directly from fishing nets pulled to the shore for as little as 2 reales, although the catch size varied significantly.

In the news1853–1882

1853: Mass emigration to Latin America starts

From 1853 to 1882, 325,000 Galicians emigrated, marking a period of intense, large-scale migration to Latin American countries like Cuba and Brazil.

Music

Dances performed at religious festivals

Dances such as the jota were performed at religious festivals to honor saints and request favors, blending Catholic rituals with local customs.

In Europe1845–1852

The Great Famine in Ireland

Potato blight ruined harvests: a million Irish people died and a million more emigrated, many to America.

Getting around

Stagecoaches traveled 150 kilometers a day

By 1850, stagecoaches regularly covered about 150 kilometers (thirty leagues) in a single day through many hours of travel.