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May 21, 1527
Philip is born
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1543
Marriage to Maria of Portugal
Philip married his first wife (and first cousin) Maria, hoping to produce an heir to the throne. Unknown artist. La princesa María Manuela de Portugal. Oil on canvas, 16th century. -
Jul 8, 1545
Carlos is born
Maria gives birth to Carlos, the first male heir to the throne as well as Philip's first child overall. Unfortunately, Carlos ends up being mentally unstable as he matures, possibly due to the inbreeding (Philip and Maria are first cousins). Sánchez Coello, Alonso. Carlos de Austria. Oil on canvas, 1564. -
Jul 12, 1545
Maria dies
Maria suffered a hemmorage while delivering Carlos and dies 4 days later. -
1554
Marriage to Mary I of England
Philip's marriage to 'Bloody Mary' (for her violent pursuits of Protestants) led to the discovery that Mary was unable to bear children, an unfortunate situation for Philip, who desperately wanted an heir to the throne. "Mary I (1516-1558) and Philip II (1526-1598)." Getty Images, History Study Center. -
1558
Mary I dies
Mary I passed away, possibly due to ovarian or stomach cancer, which would explain her inability to bear children. -
1559
Philip marries Elisabeth of Valois
Elisabeth, a 14 year old, was engaged to Philip's (mentally disturbed) son, but was forced to break off the engagement for political complications. Elisabeth was subsequently betrothed to the 32 year old king. Pantoja de la Cruz, Juan. Queen Elizabeth of Valois, third wife of Philip II. Oil on canvas, 1605. -
1568
Elisabeth dies
Elisabeth produced several daughters, but no surviving sons. She ended up dying after the loss of her last child. -
Jan 17, 1568
Philip imprisons his son Carlos
Philip's relationship with Carlos was already tense, and Carlos may have supported Dutch leaders who were unsatisfied with Spanish rule. Philip was suspicious of his son and chose to send him to prison. -
Jul 24, 1568
Carlos dies in captivity
Contrary to what one might assume and what was spread on propaganda posters, Carlos died in imprisonment because he developed eating disorders and caused his own death. Elisabeth, Philip's wife, was deeply saddened by this, much more than one would expect a stepmother to be saddened by her stepson's death. It's speculated that this is because the two were in love, despite Carlos's mental derangement. -
1570
Philip marries Anna of Austria
Anna had initially been considering her cousin Carlos as a viable candidate for marriage, but when he died, this plan fell away. However, after Elisabeth passed, Anna was left with a new candidate for marriage: her uncle, King Philip II. Mor, Antonis. Anna of Austria, Queen of Spain. Oil on canvas, 1570. -
1578
Philip III is born
Anna produced several other sons, but they all died very young. Because of Carlos' death, this is the first male heir to the throne. -
Philip dies
