Luis of Spain, Count of Chinchón facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Luis of Spain
Count of Chinchón Infante of Spain Cardinal of the Catholic church
Luis of Spain by Mengs
Reign	18 December 1754 - 7 August 1785
Born	(1727-07-25)25 July 1727 Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
Died	7 August 1785(1785-08-07) (aged 58) Arenas de San Pedro, Ávila
Spouse	María Teresa de Vallabriga
Issue	Luis María, Count of Chinchón María Teresa, Countess of Chinchón, Princess of the Peace María Luisa, Duchess of San Fernando de Quiroga
Full name Luis Antonio Jaime de Borbón y Farnesio
House	House of Bourbon
Father	Philip V of Spain
Mother	Elisabeth Farnese

Infante Luis Antonio Jaime of Spain (born July 25, 1727 – died August 7, 1785) was a Spanish prince. He was also known as the Cardinal-Infante. This means he was both a prince (Infante) and a high-ranking church official (Cardinal).

Luis was the youngest child of Philip V of Spain, who was the King of Spain, and his wife Elisabeth Farnese. He is famous for being the youngest Cardinal ever. He was also friends with important Spanish painters like Francisco de Goya.

Early Life and Church Role

Luis was born in the city of Seville, in Spain. As the youngest son of the King and Queen, he was a prince from birth. He was given the name Luis to honor his great-grandfather, Louis XIV of France.

When Luis was very young, his father gave him many important church titles. He was even made a Primate of Spain. This meant he was given the rank of an Archbishop when he was only eight years old. As a prince, he was called Royal Highness.

However, Luis was not very interested in a life in the church. So, on December 18, 1754, he decided to give up his religious titles. He was then given the title of Count of Chinchón. This title was later passed down to his daughter, Maria Teresa.

After his older half-brother, Ferdinand VI of Spain, died in 1759 without children, Luis thought he might become king. But his other brother, Carlos (who later became Charles III of Spain), claimed the throne for himself. King Charles III then sent Luis away from the royal court in Madrid.

Family Life and Marriage

While living away from the royal court, Luis married María Teresa de Vallabriga. She was from a noble family, but she was not royalty.

Luis and María Teresa had three children:

• Luis María de Borbón y Vallabriga (born May 22, 1777 – died March 19, 1823). He later became a cardinal but did not have any children.
• María Teresa de Borbón (born March 6, 1779 – died November 23, 1828). She married Manuel Godoy, who was a very important person in Spain. They had children.
• María Luisa de Borbón y Vallabriga (born March 21, 1780 – died December 1, 1846). She married Joaquín José de Melgarejo y Saurín. She did not have any children.

Because he now had children, Luis could also try to claim the throne of the Two Sicilies. But his brother, King Charles III, stopped him. King Charles III also made sure that Luis and his family were never allowed to visit the royal court. Luis died at age 58, never having made up with his older brother. His oldest daughter inherited his title.

Titles Held by Luis

• July 25, 1727 – December 18, 1754: The Infante Don Luis of Spain.
• December 18, 1754 – August 7, 1785: The Count of Chinchón, Infante of Spain.

Images for kids

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  "The Family of Philip V of Spain 1743"; This painting shows King Philip V and his family.

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  A painting of Infante Don Luis as the Archbishop of Toledo.

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  Another painting of Infante Don Luis in his church role.

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  A third painting showing Infante Don Luis as Archbishop.

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  A portrait of Dona María Teresa, Luis's eldest daughter.

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  The family of Infante Don Luis, painted by Francisco de Goya in 1784.

See also

In Spanish: Luis de Borbón y Farnesio para niños