Curated playlist
Child monarchs from Europe
- Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles V was born during a ball in Ghent in 1500. He ruled more of the world than any Christian monarch before.
- William III of EnglandWilliam III of England was born eight days after his father died. He was already a prince from his first breath.
- James VI and IJames VI and I was already a king at thirteen months old. His mother was forced out and his father was murdered.
- Mary, Queen of ScotsWhen Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded, her auburn hair turned out to be a wig. Underneath she had short grey hair.
- Louis XIVLouis XIV once played dead asleep while a mob filed past his bed. The twelve-year-old king never forgave Paris.
- Peter II of RussiaPeter II of Russia died at fourteen on the morning of his wedding day. Smallpox killed him as his bride waited.
- Ferdinand I of the Two SiciliesFerdinand I of the Two Sicilies was raised on purpose to be an unfit king. His regent kept power that way.
- Charles II of SpainCharles II of Spain ruled an empire that circled the globe, yet one historian wrote that "from the day of his birth, they were waiting for his death". He was king from 1665 to 1700. He was also the last monarch of the House of Habsburg,…
- Edward VIEdward VI was king at nine and dead at fifteen. In those years he helped turn England's church Protestant.
- Alfonso XIIIAlfonso XIII was carried on a silver tray to Spain's prime minister, already a king.
- Peter the GreatAfter Russia's army was routed at Narva in 1700, Peter the Great had church bells melted into cannons.
- Ivan the TerribleThe "terrible" in Ivan the Terrible was meant as a boast, not an insult. It meant formidable.