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The Bourbon Dynasty's influence on European history began with Henry IV of France and extended to Spain and Italy. This royal lineage shaped political and social landscapes through absolute monarchy and enlightened reforms. Today, Bourbons still reign in Spain and Luxembourg, reflecting their enduring legacy in European nobility.
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The Bourbon Dynasty traces its origins to the marriage of Robert of Clermont and Beatrix of Bourbon in 1272
Henry IV and the End of the French Wars of Religion
Henry IV, previously known as Henri of Navarre, became the first Bourbon king of France in 1589 after the extinction of the senior lines of the House of Valois, marking the end of the French Wars of Religion
Consolidation of Royal Power and Development of Absolutism
Under the reign of Louis XIII and his chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu, the Bourbon monarchy in France saw the strengthening of central authority and the development of absolutism
The Bourbon lineage in France lasted until the French Revolution, with Louis XVI being deposed and executed in 1793
Philip V and the War of the Spanish Succession
In 1700, Philip V, the grandson of Louis XIV of France, ascended to the Spanish throne, establishing the Spanish Bourbon line after the War of the Spanish Succession
Reforms and Modernization under Enlightened Rulers
The Spanish Bourbons, particularly under rulers like Charles III, introduced reforms and modernized the state
Kingdom of Two Sicilies
The Bourbon rule in southern Italy began with Charles, son of Philip V of Spain, becoming ruler of Naples and Sicily in 1734 and later establishing the Kingdom of Two Sicilies in 1816
Annexation and End of Bourbon Sovereignty in Italy
The unification of Italy in 1861 resulted in the annexation of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies and the end of Bourbon rule in Italy
Restoration of the Bourbon Monarchy in Spain
Following the death of dictator Francisco Franco, the Bourbon monarchy was restored in Spain with King Juan Carlos I playing a key role in the country's transition to democracy
Connection to the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg
The Bourbon-Parma line became connected to the Grand Ducal family of Luxembourg through the marriage of Grand Duchess Charlotte to Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma, with their descendants ruling Luxembourg to this day
The Bourbon dynasty's legacy is reflected in the cultural, political, and social landscapes of the countries they have ruled, standing as a symbol of the enduring power of monarchy and the intricate history of European nobility