Charles II, Duke of Parma - Duke of Parma

Duke of Parma

Charles Louis wandered from Modena to his German states. Released from the burdens of government, he aspired to enjoy life as a free man dedicating his time to travel and study. However he soon received news that Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma, was gravelly ill. She died on 17 December 1847. He was faced with the dilemma of whether to accept or refuse the Duchy of Parma. Initially he was tempted to evade the new responsibilities that fell upon his shoulders, but ended up accepting it, in order of no compromising the rights of his son. On 31 December 1847, Charles Louis arrived in Parma and took possession of the throne of his ancestors with the name of Charles II. The Duchy of Lucca was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, while Parma lost Guastalla but acquired Lunigiana.

Charles II was coldly received in Parma, a country and people that he did not know well. He lacked the character and the political acumen to be able to overcome a situation far more complicated than the one he had left behind in the much smaller Duchy of Lucca. Parma was totally dominated by Austria and there was no room for Charles's easy going ways. He was not free to follow his own political ideas and wrote to Ward. " It is better to die than to live like this. During the day, and when I am alone and can weep I weep. But that does not help." He lacked the support of his cousins in Madrid and in Paris. Charles II had never recognized Isabella II in Spain, and in France Charles X had lost his throne in the 1830 revolution. He was a virtually prisoner in the palace and wanted to abdicate.

In his first acts of government, he tried to organize the central administration. He also signed a military alliance with Austria. Few months after his arrival, the 1848 revolution broke out in Parma. He was forced to choose between suppressing the revolution or granting reforms. He decided for the latter and appointed a regency with the task of preparing a constitution. His intention was to save the throne for his son who asked for help from Charles Albert of Savoy. However Piacenza had already asked to join the Piedmont and Charles Albert wanted annexation. On 9 April the regency transformed in a Provisional Government. Only four months after regaining the throne of his ancestors, Charles II was forced to flee from Italy finding refuge in the castle of Weisstropp in Saxony. On 19 April 1848, Charles abdicated in favor of his son, who had himself escaped.

During the First Italian War of Independence the Austrian army decisively defeated the troops of Charles Albert at Custoza, and then at Milan, forcing him to sign the armistice of Salasco on 9 August 1848. In April 1849, Austrian troops led by Marshall Radetzki occupied Parma and Piacenza. Charles II hastened to reassert its rights over the Duchy. He took control of the government under Austrian protection. Satisfied with securing the Duchy of Parma for his family, Charles presented his final resignation on 14 March 1849 at Weistroop in Saxony abdicating on his son.