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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

See the tree

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.

Getting around

Stagecoach travel revolutionizes Spanish transit

Organized stagecoach travel between major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia began in 1816, significantly reducing travel times by the 1850s. For example, a journey from Madrid to Barcelona that took about 13 days in the 1820s was reduced to 3 to 4 days by the 1850s.

The Crimean War. Britain, France and the Ottomans fought Russia in Crimea; Florence Nightingale’s nurses changed how the wounded were cared for.In Europe · 1853–1856

The Crimean War. Britain, France and the Ottomans fought Russia in Crimea; Florence Nightingale’s nurses changed how the wounded were cared for.

William Simpson, artist (1823-1899) E[dmond]. Morin, lithographer (1824 - 1882), · public domain

In the news1855

1855: Major Railway Expansion Law enacted

The 1855 General Railway Act spurred massive construction, with 460 km built annually from 1856 to 1866, connecting the country.

Music

The dance of the Seises

In Seville Cathedral, a group of ten choir boys known as the Seises danced while playing castanets during major Catholic festivities.

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.