# Balthasar Charles > Prince of Asturias; (1629-1646) **Wikidata**: [Q552232](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q552232) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balthasar_Charles,_Prince_of_Asturias) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/balthasar-charles ## Summary Balthasar Charles was the Prince of Asturias and a member of the Spanish monarchy, living from 1629 to 1646. As the heir apparent to the Spanish throne, he held the title of crown prince and was a citizen of Spain during the 17th century. ## Biography - **Born:** October 17, 1629 - **Died:** October 9, 1646 - **Nationality:** Spain - **Known for:** Being the Prince of Asturias and heir to the throne. - **Occupation:** Crown Prince - **Instance of:** Human ## Contributions Balthasar Charles's primary contribution to history lies in his position as the central figure of the line of succession during his lifetime. His likeness and status were preserved through significant artistic works, including the portrait "Príncipe Baltasar Carlos cazador" by Velázquez and "Retrato del príncipe Baltasar Carlos" by Martínez del Mazo. His image remains a notable representation of the Spanish monarchy during this period. ## FAQs **What was Balthasar Charles's role in the Spanish monarchy?** Balthasar Charles held the title of Prince of Asturias, designating him as the male heir apparent to the Spanish throne during the 17th century. **What artistic representations exist of Balthasar Charles?** He is depicted in several notable works, including "Príncipe Baltasar Carlos cazador Velázquez lou.jpg" and "Retrato del príncipe Baltasar Carlos, by Martínez del Mazo.jpg," which document his appearance and status. **What were the key dates in Balthasar Charles's life?** He was born on October 17, 1629, and died at the age of 17 on October 9, 1646. ## Why They Matter Balthasar Charles matters historically as the designated successor to the Spanish throne during a critical period of the monarchy. His existence and untimely death at age 17 had significant implications for the line of succession and the future of the Spanish Empire. The preservation of his image through heraldry and portraiture, specifically the Coat of Arms of the Prince of Asturias (1580-1665) and paintings by renowned artists like Velázquez, provides valuable insight into the iconography and political visual culture of 17th-century Spain. ## Notable For - **Title:** Prince of Asturias (1629–1646). - **Heraldry:** Bore the specific Coat of Arms of the Prince of Asturias used between 1580 and 1665. - **Portraiture:** Subject of famous paintings by Diego Velázquez and Martínez del Mazo. - **Historical Context:** A human figure central to the history of the Spanish sovereign state and monarchy. ## Body ### Early Life and Status Balthasar Charles was born on October 17, 1629. As a member of the House of Habsburg, he was a human instance of nobility and a citizen of Spain. His identity was intrinsically linked to the Kingdom of Spain, a sovereign state located in Southwestern Europe. During this era, Spain was organized as a monarchy, having been established through the dynastic union of Aragon and Castile in 1516. ### Position as Heir Apparent Balthasar Charles held the occupation of crown prince. His specific title, Prince of Asturias, is traditionally granted to the heir presumptive of the Spanish throne. He held this title for the entirety of his life, from 1629 until his death in 1646. This position placed him as the primary figure in the line of succession to the Head of State, a role that, in modern times, is held by King Felipe VI. ### Iconography and Representation The visual legacy of Balthasar Charles is well-documented through specific media files and heraldic symbols associated with his person. * **Portraits:** His likeness was captured by prominent artists of the Spanish Golden Age. These include "Príncipe Baltasar Carlos cazador Velázquez lou.jpg" by Diego Velázquez and "Retrato del príncipe Baltasar Carlos, by Martínez del Mazo.jpg" by Juan Bautista Martínez del Mazo. * **Heraldry:** He is associated with the "Coat of Arms of the Prince of Asturias-Azur Label (1580-1665).svg," representing his status and the period of his claim to the throne. ### Historical Context of the Realm During Balthasar Charles's life, Spain was a realm of significant geopolitical importance. The country, organized as a parliamentary monarchy under the constitution (though the specific constitutional framework of 1978 came much later, the monarchy itself was the governing structure), had its capital in Madrid. Spain's geography included the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, and territories in Africa such as the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. The nation shared borders with Andorra, France, Gibraltar, Portugal, and Morocco, and was a center of the Hispanic Monarchy. ### Identifiers and Records Balthasar Charles is recorded in numerous international and academic databases, reflecting his historical significance. * **Library and Archival IDs:** He holds identifiers in the Library of Congress (n88128665), the National Library of Spain (XX1788549, XX1153426), and the German National Library (129556025). * **Biographical Dictionaries:** He is listed in the *Diccionario Biográfico Español` (e.g., 0007139) and other biographical repositories. * **Digital Archives:** His Wikidata ID is Q207293, and he is recorded in systems like VIAF (1094658), ISNI (0000000059277267), and GeoNames (2510769). * **Wikipedia and Sitelinks:** He has a Wikipedia title "Balthasar Charles, Prince of Asturias" with 35 sitelinks, and his category on Wikimedia Commons is "Balthasar Charles, Prince of Asturias." ### Death Balthasar Charles died on October 9, 1646, at the age of 17. His death marked the end of his tenure as Prince of Asturias and altered the line of succession for the Spanish crown. ## References 1. International Standard Name Identifier 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. Integrated Authority File 4. Spanish Biographical Dictionary 5. Great Aragonese Encyclopedia 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. Autoritats UB 8. [LIBRIS. 2012](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/tr57831c4x6ms4h)