John of Austria the Younger
John Joseph of Austria or John of Austria (the Younger) (Spanish: Don Juan José de Austria) (7 April 1629 – 17 September 1679) was a Spanish general and political figure. He was the only illegitimate son of Philip IV of Spain to be acknowledged by the King and trained for military command and political administration. Don John advanced the causes of the Spanish Crown militarily and diplomatically at Naples, Sicily, Catalonia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Dunkirk and other fronts. He was the governor of the Southern Netherlands from 1656 to 1659. He remained a popular hero even as the fortunes of Imperial Spain began to decline. His feuds with his father's widow, Queen Mariana, led to a 1677 palace coup through which he exiled Mariana and took control of the monarchy of his half-brother Charles II of Spain. However, he proved far from the savior Spain had hoped he would be. He remained in power until his death in 1679.
John of Austria the Younger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Regent of Spain | |
| In office 1677 – 17 September 1679 | |
| Monarch | Charles II |
| Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands | |
| In office 1656–1659 | |
| Preceded by | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria |
| Succeeded by | The Marquis of Caracena |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 April 1629 Madrid |
| Died | 17 September 1679 (aged 50) Madrid |
| Parents | Philip IV of Spain María Calderón |