ISABELLA II. (183o-1904), queen of Spain, daughter of Ferdinand VII. and his fourth wife, Maria Christina, was born in Madrid on Oct. Io, 1830. In virtue of the Salic law, set aside by the Cortes at Ferdinand VII.'s persuasion in 1830, Don Carlos disputed Isabella's title on her proclamation (Sept. 29, 1833), and the seven years' Carlist War ensued. A constitutional and parliamentary Government was established, which dissolved the religious orders, confiscated the property of the Church and sought to restore order in finances. In 1840 the queen-regent. Nlaria Christina, resigned in favour of Espartero. A military and political pronunciamiento by O'Donnell and Narvaez turned out Espartero in 1843 and declared Isabella of age. She married her cousin, Prince Francisco de Assisi de Bourbon (1822-1902).
Her reign (1843-68) was one long succession of palace intrigues and military pronunciamientos to further the ends of the political parties—Moderados Progressists (1854-56), Union Liberal (1856-63). In 1868 Serrano and Prim defeated Isabella's Moderado generals at Alcolea, and Isabella was exiled. She was induced to abdicate in Paris on June 25, 1870, in favour of her son, Alphonso XII. Isabella was the tool of profligate courtiers who gave her court a deservedly bad name, and her wayward, unscrupulous interference in politics made her unpopular. She continued to live in France after the Restoration (1874) and died on April so,