Philip II of Spain

Philip II of Spain
Title	King of Spain
Reign	16 January 1556 – 13 September 1598
Coronation
Predecessor	Charles I
Successor	Philip III
Spouse	Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal, Mary I of England, Elisabeth of Valois, Anna of Austria, Queen of Spain
Issue
Full Name
House	House of Habsburg
Father	Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Mother	Isabella of Portugal
Birth Date	21 May 1527
Birth Place	Valladolid, Spain
Death Date	13 September 1598
Death Place	El Escorial, Spain
Burial Date
Burial Place

Philip II of Spain (21 May 1527 – 13 September 1598) was King of Spain from 1556 until his death in 1598. He was also King of Portugal (as Philip I) from 1580 to 1598, King of Naples and Sicily, and Duke of Milan. During his reign, Spain reached the height of its influence and power, sometimes referred to as the "Spanish Golden Age."

Early Life

Philip was born in Valladolid, the son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Isabella of Portugal. He was educated in the traditions of the Habsburg dynasty and was prepared from an early age to inherit the vast empire of his father. Philip was a devout Catholic and his reign was marked by his efforts to maintain Catholic orthodoxy throughout his territories.

Reign

Philip's reign was characterized by his efforts to consolidate and expand his empire. He inherited a vast empire that included territories in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. His reign saw the continuation of the Spanish Inquisition, the expansion of Spanish influence in the New World, and numerous conflicts with other European powers.

Domestic Policies

Philip II centralized the administration of the Spanish Empire and sought to strengthen royal authority. He moved the capital from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, establishing it as the political center of Spain. His reign was marked by a strict adherence to Catholicism, and he was a staunch opponent of the Protestant Reformation.

Foreign Policies

Philip's foreign policy was dominated by his efforts to defend Catholicism and expand Spanish influence. He was involved in numerous conflicts, including the Eighty Years' War with the Dutch Republic, the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604) with England, and the War of the Portuguese Succession.

The Spanish Armada

One of the most famous events of Philip's reign was the attempted invasion of England in 1588 by the Spanish Armada. The Armada was a large fleet sent by Philip to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and restore Catholicism in England. The mission ended in failure, with the Armada being defeated by the English navy and adverse weather conditions.

The Union with Portugal

In 1580, Philip successfully claimed the Portuguese throne, uniting the Iberian Peninsula under his rule. This union lasted until 1640 and brought the Portuguese Empire under Spanish control, significantly expanding Philip's influence.

Legacy

Philip II's reign left a lasting impact on Spain and the world. His efforts to maintain Catholic orthodoxy and expand Spanish influence shaped the religious and political landscape of Europe. The economic strain of his military campaigns, however, contributed to the decline of Spanish power in the following century.

Also see

• Spanish Empire
• Spanish Inquisition
• Eighty Years' War
• Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604)
• House of Habsburg