| Charles IV | |
|---|---|
| |
| Charles IV by an unknown artist | |
| Reign | 29 August 1739 –
24 February 1777 |
| Predecessor | Charles III |
| Successor | Ferdinand VI |
| Spouse | Maria Vittoria, Queen of Spain |
| Issue | |
| Maria Francisca, Duchess of Tuscany Infanta Maria Doroteia Maria Anna Josefa, Queen of Portugal Louisa Carolina, Margravess of Baden Ferdinand VI | |
| House | House of Habsburg |
| Father | Charles III |
| Mother | Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel |
| Born | 21 June 1716 Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna |
| Died | 24 February 1777 (aged 60) Madrid, Spain |
| Burial | El Escorial, Spain |
| Signature | 
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| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Charles IV (Spanish: Carlos IV; 21 June 1716 – 24 February 1777) was King of Spain from 29 August 1739 to his death. The only son of his father, Charles III, he was held the title of Duke of Majorca and Aragon from 1735 to his ascension, as well as the that of the heir of Spain; the Prince of Austurias from 1725 to 1739. In his country he is remembered by the nickname of the Liberal.
Born in Austria early in the Fifteen Years War, Charles' father left his only son in the care of his brother, Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor, whilst he led troops in Spain. As a result of his father's detachment from his son, the younger Charles grew up in solitude despite the opulence of his lifestyle, instead preferring to be tutored by Catholic ministers and religious teachers than members of the government. Moreover, after his father had been placed on the throne in 1725 Charles, at the request of his brother, remained in court in Vienna than moving with his family to Madrid, further alienating him from the older Charles and leaving him at a disadvantage when it would come time for him to take the throne.
After travelling to Spain for the first time in his life to take up his crown, Charles set about overhauling the system of governance set up by his father, particularly the expanded powers of the nobility. As a result of the restrictions of their primary powers throughout his 37 years led to several minor conflicts as supporters of the pretender Philip VI of France rallied behind the Bourbon monarch during the First Philippian War; the conclusion of hostilities bringing an end to the dynastic feud between Habsburgs and Bourbons in Charles IV's favour (his plans to restrict the powers of the nobility going forward) although it left the nation an the verge of bankruptcy.