Charles III of Spain de Bourbon 1 2
- Born: 20 Jan 1716
- Marriage: Mary Amalia Saxony Wettin on 19 Jun 1738
- Died: 13 Dec 1788 aged 72
General Notes:
Charles III, king of Spain (1759-88) and, as Charles IV, king of the Two Sicilies (1734-59). He was the son of Philip V, king of Spain. Charles became duke of Parma in 1731. In that capacity he conquered the kingdom of the Two Sicilies, which he ruled as Charles IV. During his rule of Spain, Charles promoted agriculture and commerce, established military academies, strengthened the navy, reformed the fiscal administration, curbed the Inquisition, and expelled the Jesuits. His friendship with France and hostility toward Great Britain led to the alliance in support of the American Revolution.
Noted events in his life were:
• He was a Duke of Parma from 1731 to 1736.
• He was a King of Naples & Sicily from 1734 to 1759.
• Acceded: King of Spain, 1759.
Charles married Mary Amalia Saxony Wettin, daughter of Frederick Augustus II of Saxony Wettin and Marie Josephe Habsburg, on 19 Jun 1738. (Mary Amalia Saxony Wettin was born on 24 Nov 1724 and died on 27 Sep 1760.)
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