Philip II

King of Spain Philip II

Profession: King of Spain

Nationality:
Spain
Spanish

Why Famous: During Philip II's reign, Spain reached the height of its influence and power often referred to as Spain's Golden Age.

The expression, "the empire on which the sun never sets," was coined during his reign to reflect the extent of his dominion which stretched from Europe, to the Americas and Asia.

From 1554 he was also the King of Naples and Sicily as well as the Duke of Milan. During his marriage to Queen Mary I (1554–58), he also became the King of England and Ireland.

Born: May 21, 1527
Birthplace: Valladolid, Spain
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: September 13, 1598 (aged 71)
Cause of Death: Cancer

Married Life

  • 1554-07-25 Mary I of England (37) marries Prince Philip of Spain (27) (later Philip II) at Winchester Cathedral, England
  • 1560-01-31 Spanish king Philip II marries Elisabeth van Valois

Events in the Life of Philip II

  • 1555-10-25 Emperor Karel puts son Philip II in charge of Netherlands, Naples and Milan
  • 1556-01-16 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V appoints his son Philip II, King of Spain
  • 1556-02-05 Kings Henri I and Philip II sign Treaty of Vaucelles
  • 1556-03-28 Karel V's son Philip II crowned King of Spain
  • 1556-11-23 King Philip II confers with Dutch financial experts
  • 1560-09-25 Spanish king Philip II names Frederik Schenck of Toutenburg as 1st archbishop of Utrecht
  • 1561-09-23 King Philip II of Spain forbids Spanish settlements in Florida
  • 1563-07-29 League of High Nobles routes King Philip II
  • 1564-02-21 Philip II routes Cardinal Granvelle to Franche-Comte
  • 1564-08-18 Spanish king Philip II joins Council of Trente
  • 1565-11-13 King Philip II's "Letters out Segovia" reaches Brussels
  • 1566-12-01 Spanish king Philip II names Fernando Alvarez, duke of Alva
  • 1569-02-07 King Philip II forms Inquisition in South America

  • 1570-03-04 King Philip II bans foreign Dutch students
  • 1579-07-29 Spanish King Philip II arrests plotters Antonio Perez and Princess van Eboli
  • 1580-03-15 Spanish King Philip II puts 25,000 gold coins on head of Prince William of Orange
  • 1581-03-25 Portuguese Cortes calls Philip II king of Portugal
  • 1581-04-01 Portuguese Cortes subjects himself on Philip II
  • 1581-04-15 Cortes van Thomar accepts Philip II as king of Portugal
  • 1590-07-19 King Philip II's secretary Antonio Perez escapes jail
  • 1594-06-11 Philip II recognized the rights and privileges of the local nobles and chieftains in the Philippines, which paves way to the creation of the Principalía (i.e., elite ruling class of native nobility in Spanish Philippines)
  • 1595-05-02 King Philip II names Albrecht of Austria land guardian of Netherlands
  • 1596-11-29 King Philip II devalues Spanish currency
  • 1598-06-30 King Philip II moves to Escorial palace
  • 1598-09-01 Spanish king Philip II receives sacraments

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