Solar eclipse of May 12, 1706

A total solar eclipse occurred on May 12, 1706. The eclipse, part of Solar Saros 133, took place during the Spanish War of Succession, crossing Spain, France and Northern Italy: for this reason it was seen at the time as a metaphor and a premonitory sign of the decline of King Louis XIV of France (known as the Sun King) "occulted" by the Great Alliance.