Philip V ruled as King of Spain for over four decades from November 1700 to early January 1724, and thereafter from early September 1724 till his death in 1746, thus emerging as the longest ruling monarch in the history of Spain. He was the grandson of King Louis XIV of France and son of Louis, Grand Dauphin. He became the first member of the House of Bourbon to ascend as King of Spain succeeding the childless King Charles II, younger half-brother of Philip’s grandmother and Queen of France Maria Theresa. His ascension to the Spanish throne triggered the 13-year War of the Spanish Succession which ended with the treaties of Utrecht, Rastatt, and Baden. Philip V was recognised as King of Spain but any future possibility of unifying the French and Spanish crowns was prohibited. During his reign, Philip brought about several significant reforms in Spain through the Nueva Planta decrees, particularly centralization of power of the monarchy. Philip abdicated the throne in 1724 in favour of his eldest son Louis, however untimely death of the latter led Philip to ascend to the Spanish throne again. Upon his death, Philip was succeeded by his son Ferdinand VI.