CHARLES IV. (I74S-1819). King of Spain from 1788 to 180S. lie was the son and successor of Charles Ill., and was born in Naples. Novem ber 12, 174S. When very young, Charles mar ried his cousin, Maria Louisa, of Parma, who boon acquired great intimatee over him. The gov ernment was conducted chiefly by Godoy (q.v.), a handsome lint dissolute guardsman and a favor ite of the Queen, who was made Duke of Alcudia. and 'Alinister of Foreign Affairs. Peace with the French Republic was concluded in 1795. after a disastrous war, undertaken at the instance of (Iodoy. Soon after this peace an offensive and defensive alliance was made with Frame. and Spain speedily became involved in war with Por tugal and also with England, the main event of which was the destruction of the Spanish fleet by Nelson at Trafalgar in 1805. In 1807 Charles made a secret treaty with Napoleon according to which Portugal was to be seized by the French and Spanish. and the greater part to be divided
between Godoy and the Infanta Maria Louka, Queen of Etruria, while Charles was to aSSIllne the title of Emperor of America; at the "atile time 16,001) Spanish troops were to be sent to the assistance of the French in Denmark. Mean while, Napoleon was intriguing with Don Ferdi nand, the heir to the throne. (hi March 19. 180S, Charles, alarmed by disturbances in Madrid, ab dicated in Verdinamrs favor. lie declared imme diately that this net was not voluntary. In a meeting with Napoleon at Bayonne, Charles sur rendered the crown on May 5, 1808, to the French Emperor. who gave him a pension of 6,000.000 francs. and the castle and grounds of Chambord. Ile died January 19, 1819, in Rome. See GovoY ;