General Notes

Farnese, Isabella (1692-1766), queen of Spain (1714-46). A niece of the
Italian prince Francesco Farnese, duke of Parma, Isabella married King Philip
V of Spain in 1714 and had a major influence on Spanish policy for more than
three decades. In collaboration with her uncle and his agent, Giulio Alberoni,
she used Spanish power to reduce Austrian influence in Italy and to win
Italian territories for her sons. Initially blocked by an alliance among
Austria, France, and Great Britain, Isabella eventually succeeded in gaining
the kingdom of the Two Sicilies for her son Charles (later Charles III of
Spain) and the duchy of Parma for her son Philip.