Philip III of Spain, born on April 14, 1578, in Madrid, was the King of Spain and Portugal from 1598 until his death in 1621. He was the eldest son of Philip II of Spain and his fourth wife, Anna of Austria. Here is an overview of his reign and life:
Philip III was educated under the guidance of the Jesuits, receiving a humanist education, which was common for royal princes of the time. He succeeded his father upon Philip II's death in 1598, at the age of 20. His reign marked the beginning of a period of decline for the Spanish Empire, often attributed to his personal and political weaknesses.
Philip III's rule was characterized by:
Philip III married Margaret of Austria, his first cousin, in 1599. They had eight children, though only four survived to adulthood:
Philip III died on March 31, 1621, in Madrid from an illness, possibly gout or kidney failure, which was exacerbated by his lifestyle. His reign is often viewed negatively due to the decline in Spain's international power, economic issues, and the internal problems caused by his governance style. However, his personal piety and his efforts to maintain peace within his family are sometimes noted in a positive light.