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Dan Snow's History Hit
Habsburg Inbreeding with Dr. Adam Rutherford
Nov 17, 2023
Dr. Adam Rutherford joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to discuss the Hapsburgs' inbreeding, including their distinctive jaw and physiological challenges. They explore genetics, inbreeding, tracing ancestry, and the troubled life of Carlos II, the last ruler of the Habsburg dynasty.
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Quick takeaways
- The Habsburgs' deliberate inbreeding led to severe genetic disorders and disabilities, highlighting the consequences of extreme inbreeding.
- The genetic isopoint for Europe is estimated to have occurred about a thousand years ago, making certain historical figures the ancestors of most people in Europe today.
Deep dives
The Inbreeding and Decline of the Habsburg Dynasty
In Madrid on November 1, 1700, Carlos II, the last ruling Habsburg, died childless, leading to the Spanish Wars of Succession. Carlos II was profoundly disabled physically and mentally, with the distinctive Habsburg jaw. This jaw, a result of generations of inbreeding, was considered a symbol of their divine right to rule. The Habsburgs engaged in deliberate inbreeding, with uncles marrying nieces, resulting in severe pedigree collapse. Charles II's family tree is a complex web of loops, where he had fewer ancestors than typical, leading to increased infant mortality and a higher chance of genetic disorders. His inbreeding coefficient was calculated to be higher than that of siblings having a child together, and his disabilities were attributed to these high levels of inbreeding.
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