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Felipe II of Spain

Philip II
Philip II portrait by Titian.jpg
Portrait of Philip II by Titian, c. 1550
King of England and Ireland (jure uxoris)
Reign 25 July 1554 –
17 November 1558
Predecessor Mary I
Successor Elizabeth I
Co-monarch Mary I
Reign 16 January 1556 – 13 September 1598
Predecessor Charles V
Successor Philip III
King of Portugal and the Algarves
Reign 16 April 1581 – 13 September 1598
Acclamation 16 April 1581, Tomar
Predecessor Anthony (disputed) or Henry
Successor Philip II
Born (1527-05-21)21 May 1527
Valladolid, Spain
Died 13 September 1598(1598-09-13) (aged 71)
El Escorial, Spain
Burial El Escorial
Spouse
Issue
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House Habsburg
Father Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Mother Isabella of Portugal
Religion Roman Catholicism
Signature

Philip II of Spain (Spanish: Felipe II; 21 May 1527 – 13 September 1598), called "the Prudent" (el Prudente), was King of Spain (1556–98), King of Portugal (1581–98, as Philip I, Filipe I),King of Naples and Sicily (both from 1554), and jure uxoris King of England and Ireland (during his marriage to Queen Mary I from 1554–58). He was also Duke of Milan. From 1555, he was lord of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands.

Known in Spain as "Felipe el Prudente" ('"Philip the Prudent'"), his empire included territories on every continent then known to Europeans, including his namesake the Philippine Islands. During his reign, Spain reached the height of its influence and power. This is sometimes called the Golden Age. The expression, "the empire on which the sun never sets," was coined during Philip's time to reflect the extent of his dominion.

During Philip's reign there were separate state bankruptcies in 1557, 1560, 1569, 1575, and 1596. This was partly the cause of the declaration of independence that created the Dutch Republic in 1581. A devout Catholic, Philip is also known for organising a naval expedition against Protestant England in 1588, the Spanish Armada, which was unsuccessful, mostly due to storms and serious logistical problems.

Philip was described by the Venetian ambassador Paolo Fagolo in 1563 as "slight of stature and round-faced, with pale blue eyes, somewhat prominent lip, and pink skin, but his overall appearance is very attractive." The Ambassador went on to say "He dresses very tastefully, and everything that he does is courteous and gracious."


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