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Charles III of Spain

Madrid, 20 Jan 1716 – Madrid, 14 Dec 1788

13 facts3 sources

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About Charles III

Charles III of Spain: From Naples to the Spanish Throne

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records Charles III’s birth in Madrid in 1716. He was the son of Philip V of Spain and Elisabeth Farnese, and the summary identifies him as Philip’s fourth son and the eldest son of his second wife. 1234

Charles was King of Naples from 1734 to 1759. The evidence also records his abdication from the throne of Naples, marking the close of that phase of his royal career. 56

From 1759 to 1788, he served as monarch and head of state of Spain. The collection records his death in Madrid in 1788, and the summary characterizes his reign as a European example of enlightened absolutism and regalism. 7894

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

  • Born20 Jan 1716, Madridnot verified1 source
  • TitleKing of Sicily, 1734–1759or King of Naples, 1734–1759 · Monarch of Spain, 1759–1788 · Head of State of Spain, 1759–1788not verified1 source
  • TitleKing of Naples, 1734–1759or King of Sicily, 1734–1759 · Monarch of Spain, 1759–1788 · Head of State of Spain, 1759–1788not verified1 source
  • TitleHead of State of Spain, 1759–1788or King of Sicily, 1734–1759 · King of Naples, 1734–1759 · Monarch of Spain, 1759–1788not verified1 source
  • TitleMonarch of Spain, 1759–1788or King of Sicily, 1734–1759 · King of Naples, 1734–1759 · Head of State of Spain, 1759–1788not verified1 source
  • EventAbdication of Charles III of Spain from the Throne of Naplesnot verified1 source
  • Died14 Dec 1788, Madridnot verified1 source
  • MotherElisabeth Farnesenot verified1 source
  • FatherPhilip V of Spainnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 20 Jan 1716

    Born in Madrid

  2. 1734–1759

    King of Sicily

  3. 1734–1759

    King of Naples

  4. 1740–1757

    13 children are born

  5. 1759–1788

    Head of State of Spain

  6. 1759–1788

    Monarch of Spain

  7. 14 Dec 1788

    Dies in Madrid, aged 72

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 13

During his lifetime

He lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Madrid.

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

The 1710s · Charles III is born in Madrid

In the news1716

Nueva Planta decrees centralize administration

In 1716, Philip V issued the Nueva Planta decrees, which abolished regional laws and parliaments in Catalonia, Aragon, and Valencia to create a centralized, unitary state.

Music

Dances at religious festivals

Religious festivals like Corpus Christi featured organized processions with fixed performances, including the dance of the giants and sword dances.

Daily life

Dark homes with paper windows

Ordinary homes were dark because the poor could not afford glass and instead covered their small windows with oiled paper. Light and protection against the cold were luxuries reserved for the wealthy.

War of the Spanish Succession. Europe’s powers fought for thirteen years over who would inherit the Spanish throne; a Bourbon kept it, and Britain gained Gibraltar.In Europe · 1701–1714

War of the Spanish Succession. Europe’s powers fought for thirteen years over who would inherit the Spanish throne; a Bourbon kept it, and Britain gained Gibraltar.

DavidDijkgraaf · CC0

In the news1700–1714

War of the Spanish Succession begins

The War of the Spanish Succession broke out in 1700, bringing years of heavy taxation, conscription, and famine that crippled local economies like Ubeda.

Getting around

Official mail speed reached 165 kilometers daily

Travelers using the official mail service (postas) were expected to cover about 30 leagues per day, which is approximately 165 kilometers. Those not experienced in riding required much longer, as official regulations required 45 minutes per league between posts.

At the table

Daily purchase of ice for drinks

Wealthier households purchased a pound of snow daily to keep their drinks cool, a practice that highlights the luxury of temperature control.