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| FELIPE
V Felipe V (1685 - 1746) King of Spain (1700 - 1746) by testimentary order of Carlos II, in 1700. He was the grandson of Maria Teresa of Austria, who was the sister of Carlos II of Spain and of Luis XIV of France. When he was proclaimed King of Spain he was recognized in principle by all the european powers with the exception of Austria, as the Archduke Carlos considered his rights to the Spanish throne were more valid. Felipe arrived in Spain in 1701 and his arrival in Madrid was enveloped in great popular enthusiasm. The attitude of Austria in not accepting the will of Carlos II very soon provoked the war between their Emperor and Luis XIV. Aligned with Austria were England, Holland, Bradenburgh and other German princes. The war of the succession to the throne thus turned into a european conflict. Spain itself was divided in this war, as the states of the crown of Aragón declared themselves in favour of the Archduke Carlos. The military results were unfavourable and the situation of the House of Bourbon passed through awkward moments. However, the action of the armies of Felipe V in the Spanish Peninsula almost always met with success. Between 1713 and 1715 a series of treaties were signed which put an end to the first european war of the 18th century. Felipe V abdicated in 1724 in favour of his son Luis I, but, owing to the death of the latter, he had to take control again within a few months. His first marriage was to Luisa of Saboya and his second was to Isabel of Farnesio. Riperdá and Isabel of Farnesio continued a shared policy, with the sole objective of enthroning in Italy the sons of Isabel (Carlos and Felipe). In his last years, Felipe V had distinguished ministers and advisers (Campillo, Ensenada). |
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