King Philip II of Spain

Philip II
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
King of Spain (more) Duke of Milan 1540–1598 King of Naples 1554–1598 Lord of the Netherlands 1555–1598 Duke of Lothier 1555–1598 Duke of Brabant 1555–1598 Duke of Limburg 1555–1598 Duke of Luxemburg 1555–1598 Duke of Guelders 1555–1581 Margrave of Namur 1555–1598 Count Palatine of Burgundy 1555–1598 Count of Flanders 1555–1598 Count of Hainaut 1555–1598 Count of Artois 1555–1598 Count of Holland 1555–1581 Count of Zeeland 1555–1581 Count of Zutphen 1555–1581 King of Spain 1556–1598 King of Sardinia 1556–1598 King of Sicily 1556–1598 Count of Charolais 1558–1598
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	Maria Manuela of Portugal Mary I of England Elisabeth of Valois Anna of Austria
Issue see details...	Carlos, Prince of Asturias Isabella Clara Eugenia, Sovereign of the Netherlands Catherine Michelle, Duchess of Savoy Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias Diego, Prince of Asturias Philip III of Spain
House	Habsburg
Father	Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Mother	Isabella of Portugal
Religion	Roman Catholicism
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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."