Philip IV of Spain: A Brief Biography
Philip IV (1605โ1665) ruled the Spanish Empire during a period of immense cultural flourishing and geopolitical decline. Born into the House of Habsburg, he ascended the throne in 1621 after the death of his father, King Philip III. His reign encompassed the ThirtyโYearโs War, the Spanish Golden Age in art and literature, and the gradual erosion of Spanish dominance in Europe.
Children of Philip IV
Philip IV married his cousin, Maria Anna of Austria, in 1621. Together they produced twelve children, though only a handful survived to adulthood. Their offspring were central to the dyn