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Isabella II of Spain

Madrid, 10 Oct 1830 – Paris, 9 Apr 1904

15 facts3 sources

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About Isabella II

Isabella II: A Child Queen Facing a Contested Throne

AI-assisted · edited

Isabella II was born in Madrid in 1830, according to the collection’s probable date. She was the daughter of Ferdinand VII of Spain and Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies. She married Francisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz. 1234

Isabella became Queen of Spain in 1833 and remained its monarch and head of state until 1868. The record includes her oath as Princess Isabella and her abdication. She is described as the only queen regnant in the history of unified Spain, while her succession was contested by the Carlists, who refused to recognize a woman as sovereign. 56789

Her offices also included Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. The collection records her death in 1904 but gives competing precise dates; Paris is associated with its preferred record. 101112

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

  • Born10 Oct 1830, Madridnot verified1 source
  • MarriedFrancisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiznot verified1 source
  • TitleGrand Master of the Order of Santiagoor Head of State of Spain, 1833–1868 · Monarch of Spain, 1833–1868not verified1 source
  • TitleHead of State of Spain, 1833–1868or Monarch of Spain, 1833–1868 · Grand Master of the Order of Santiagonot verified1 source
  • TitleMonarch of Spain, 1833–1868or Head of State of Spain, 1833–1868 · Grand Master of the Order of Santiagonot verified1 source
  • EventOath of Princess Isabella of Spainor abdication of Isabella II of Spainnot verified1 source
  • EventAbdication of Isabella II of Spainor Oath of Princess Isabella of Spainnot verified1 source
  • Died9 Apr 1904, Parisor 10 Apr 1904Records disagree1 source
  • FatherFerdinand VII of Spainnot verified1 source
  • MotherMaria Christina of the Two Siciliesnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 10 Oct 1830

    Born in Madrid

  2. 1833–1868

    Head of State of Spain

  3. 1833–1868

    Monarch of Spain

  4. 1850–1866

    11 children are born

  5. 9 Apr 1904

    Dies in Paris, aged 73

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 12

During her lifetime

She 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 1830s · Isabella II is born in Madrid

In the news1835

Start of Mendizábal's ecclesiastical confiscations, 1835

In 1835, the ecclesiastical confiscation, known as the desamortización, was initiated by Juan Álvarez Mendizábal to sell religious assets and pay off public debt.

What people wore

Long Skirts and Sandals

In the mid-19th century, Spanish women often wore skirts long enough to reach the floor, hiding their feet, although some began to show them while wearing sandals tied with blue ribbons.

Daily life

Storing water in rural homes

In rural homes, water was stored in two to six clay jars kept cool inside the house, often covered with white linen cloths and wooden lids.

In the news1832

1832 Cholera epidemic

A major cholera epidemic struck France in 1832, causing approximately 103,000 deaths.

Music

Social gatherings and lively dances

Ordinary people often enjoyed social gatherings in tabernas or outdoor settings where they participated in dances like the fandango, which was both sung and danced. These lively gatherings featured instruments like guitars and bagpipes to animate the atmosphere.

Around the world1825–1830

The first passenger railway

In England a steam locomotive pulled the first public train in 1825; within decades railways crossed every continent.

Getting around

Crowded Travel in Covered Wagons

Travelers in the 1830s described extremely crowded conditions in covered wagons, or galeras, where passengers were packed so tightly that moving required everyone to agree to shift in unison.