Biography: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
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 (10) marries Elisabeth of Valois (13), daughter of Henry II of France
Historical Events
1555-10-25 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V publicly abdicates his roles as Lord of the Netherlands and Duke of Burgundy in favor of his son Philip II of Spain
1556-01-16 Holy Roman Emperor Charles V abdicates his role as King of Spain and appoints his son Philip II of Spain
1556-02-05 King Henry II of France and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V sign the Treaty of Vaucelles, creating a temporary truce in the Italian War of 1551–59
1556-03-28 Philip II of Spain is formally 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
1563-04-23 Cornerstone laid for El Escorial, new Spanish royal palace commissioned by Philip II, by architect Juan Bautista de Toledo
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
1572-06-24 Five clergymen of Dutch city Enkhuizen are hanged during the Dutch Rebellion against Philip II of Spain
1579-07-29 Spanish King Philip II arrests plotters Antonio Perez and Princess van Eboli
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 recognizes the rights and privileges of local nobles and chieftains in the Philippines, creating a ruling class of native nobility known as the Principalía
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 of Spain moves to El Escorial royal palace (dies there three months later)
1598-09-01 Spanish King Philip II receives sacraments
Charles X
Edward II
Edward the Confessor
James V
Nicholas II
William the Conqueror