Archduke Charles primarily refers to Charles VI of the Holy Roman Empire (1685-1740), one of the central figures in early 18th-century Europe and a key figure in the War of the Spanish Succession. He was born in Vienna, the son of Emperor Leopold I and Empress Eleonora Magdalena of Neuburg.
He was known as Archduke Charles of Austria before wearing other crowns. After the death of Charles II of Spain without issue in 1700, he was one of the main claimants to the Spanish throne, directly opposing Philip, Duke of Anjou (later Philip V of Bourbon). During the War of the Spanish Succession, Charles was proclaimed King of Spain by his supporters under the name Charles III, especially recognized in the territories of the Crown of Aragon.
During the war, he was proclaimed king in Madrid, although he was forced to withdraw due to pressure from the Bourbon forces, returning to Barcelona, which was his main base of operations in the Iberian Peninsula. His aspirations to the Spanish Crown were finally frustrated after the signing of the Treaties of Utrecht and Rastadt , where he renounced his rights in exchange for territories in Europe, although he became Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire under the name of Charles VI in 1711 after the death of his brother Joseph I.
During his imperial reign (1711-1740):
- He also ruled as King of Hungary (Charles III) and King of Bohemia (Charles II).
- He fought against the Turks, temporarily conquering Wallachia and Serbia.
- He enacted the Pragmatic Sanction (1713) to ensure that his daughter, Maria Theresa, could inherit the territories of the Habsburg Monarchy.
He was the last direct male representative of the House of Austria in the Habsburg branch.
