Ferdinand VI of Spain

Ferdinand VI , known as “the Wise one” (Madrid, September 23rd 1713 - Villaviciosa de Odón, August 10th 1759), king of the Spain S and the the Indies (1746 - 1759).

Wire of Philippe V and Marie-Louise Gabrielle of Savoy, back grandson of Louis XIV, it succeeded his father in 1746.

In 1729, Ferdinand VI of Spain married Marie-Barbara of Portugal. Without posterity.

Vauréal traced an extremely suggestive portrait of Ferdinand VI as of on July 11th, 1746. The new king wrote it, " much piety, softness, kindness and justice has, but it is by no means informed of the businesses neither general, nor particular, and it is not only timid, but extremely scrupulous, which probably will give credit to its confessor, which is a Jesuit français" . William Coxe will describe it like " small of size, its figure was common. In spite of its weakness of constitution and the natural docility of its character, it tested time with other of violent one fits of anger and impatience. Scrupulous observer of its promises, always in good faith in its words as in its actions, it deserved that one said of him that it was a guilty prince never not to miss with its word . Frugal and sparing in all that even had report/ratio with him, it was of a great liberality for its subjects when they were in détresse" .
It took part in the War of succession of Austria (1740 - 1748). The treated of Aachen which put an end to the conflict gave him the towns of Parma and Plaisance.

The end of its reign was peaceful. It maintained balance between the France and the Great Britain. While being pressed on its minister Ensenada (Prime Minister of 1743 with 1754), it brought to a successful conclusion financial reforms and soldiers. It revived the trade, establishes manufactures, dug channels, restores the navy, supported the studies, created several universities and founded the Académie of Saint-Ferdinand.

Its reign was afflicted by several calamities: Lima in 1746, Quito in 1755, were almost entirely destroyed by Earthquakes. This prince reached of major depression just like his father, was sometimes in prey with torturing scruples. He impassioned himself for hunting and the music. He pensioned the castrato Farinelli.

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