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Felipe II of Spain

1527–1598 · Iberia (Spain)Iberianroyal
Felipe II of Spain

Description

Philip II, sometimes known in Spain as Philip the Prudent, was King of Spain from 1556, King of Portugal from 1580, and King of Naples and Sicily from 1554 until his death in 1598. He was also jure uxoris King of England and Ireland from his marriage to Queen Mary I in 1554 until her death in 1558. Further, he was Duke of Milan from 1540. From 1555, he was Lord of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands.

Facts

Reign16 January 1556 – 13 September 1598
PredecessorCharles I
SuccessorPhilip III
Reign12 September 1580 – 13 September 1598
Acclamation16 April 1581, Tomar
PredecessorHenry or Anthony (disputed)
SuccessorPhilip III of Spain (as Philip II)
Reign25 July 1554 – 17 November 1558
PredecessorMary I
SuccessorElizabeth I
Co-monarchMary I
Reign25 October 1555 – 13 September 1598
PredecessorCharles II
SuccessorIsabella Clara Eugenia
Born21 May 1527, Palacio de Pimentel, Castile
Died13 September 1598(1598-09-13) (aged 71), El Escorial, Castile
BurialEl Escorial
SpousesMaria Manuela of Portugal ​ ​(m. 1543; died 1545)​ Mary I of England ​ ​(m. 1554; died 1558)​ Elisabeth of Valois ​ ​(m. 1559; died 1568)​ Anna of Austria ​ ​(m. 1570; died 1580)​
Issuemore...Carlos, Prince of Asturias Isabella Clara Eugenia, Lady of the Netherlands Catalina Micaela, Duchess of Savoy Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias Diego, Prince of Asturias Philip III of Spain
HouseHabsburg
FatherCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor
MotherIsabella of Portugal

Life & work in brief

Summarised by section — one row per topic, for fast reading.

Work / contributionSignificance
Early life: 1527–1548A member of the House of Habsburg, Philip was the son of Emperor Charles V, who was also king of Castile and Aragon, and Isabella of Portugal.
Domestic policyAfter living in the Netherlands in the early years of his reign, Philip II decided to return to Castile.
EconomyCharles V had left his son Philip with a debt of about 36 million ducats and an annual deficit of 1 million ducats.
Foreign policyPhilip's foreign policies were determined by a combination of Catholic fervour and dynastic objectives.
King of PortugalIn 1578 young King Sebastian of Portugal died at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir without descendants, triggering a succession crisis.
Relations with England and IrelandPhilip's father arranged his marriage to 37-year-old Queen Mary I of England, Charles' maternal first cousin.
DeathPhilip II died on 13 September 1598 at El Escorial, aged 71, after a prolonged illness, likely cancer.
LegacyUnder Philip II, Spain reached the peak of its power.
Titles, honours and stylesPhilip continued his father's style of "Majesty" (Latin: Maiestas; Spanish: Majestad) in preference to that of "Highness" (Celsitudo; Alteza).
FamilyPhilip was married four times and had children with three of his wives.