Carlos, Prince of Asturias

Carlos was born on 8 July 1545 to Philip II of Spain and Maria Manuela of Portugal, daughter of John III. As eldest son, he stood in line for the Spanish throne, but he was known to be mentally unstable. In early 1568 his father had him imprisoned. He died on 24 July 1568 after half a year alone. His imprisonment and death became ammunition in the Black Legend—the anti-Spanish propaganda that painted the empire as uniquely cruel. Centuries later, Friedrich Schiller wrote a play about him and Giuseppe Verdi composed an opera, both titled Don Carlos, ensuring the prince's name outlasted the thro…