1678 The Dutch war settled by the peace of Nimeguen. Louis withdraws his troops from Sicily. The Sicilians are now more oppressed than ever.
1693 Great earthquake in Sicily. Messina, Catania, and Syracuse nearly destroyed by a violent eruption of Mount Etna.
1694 Great earthquake at Naples.
1700 Death of Charles. End of the Austro-Spanish dynasty. The Two Sicilies acknowledge Philip IV (V of Spain) grandson of Louis XIV.
From the End of the Austro-Spanish Dynasty to the Peace of Utrecht (1700-1713 A.D.)
1701 The emperor Leopold claims the Two Sicilies for the archduke Charles. The war of the Spanish Succession begins.
1702 Philip arrives at Naples and marches northward.
1706 After the battle of Turin the French are driven out of Italy and Charles VI is proclaimed king of the Two Sicilies.
1708 Pope Clement XI invests Charles with the kingdom of the Two Sicilies.