Philip II (
Spanish Felipe II de España;
Portuguese Filipe I) (
May 21,
1527 –
September 13,
1598) was
King of Spain from
1556 until
1598,
King of Naples from
1554 until
1598,
king consort of
England (as husband of
Mary I) from 1554 to 1558, Lord of the
Seventeen Provinces (holding various titles for the individual territories, such as Duke or Count) from 1556 until 1581,
King of Portugal and the Algarves (as
Philip I) from
1580 until
1598 and
King of Chile from
1554 until
1556.
Philip II is considered by some to be one of the greatest sovereigns in the History of Spain, but his reputation has been the subject of almost continuous historical debate.[citation needed] During his time the Spanish Empire led global exploration and colonial expansion across the Atlantic and the Pacific, becoming for a long time the foremost [[regional power|European and global power.
During his reign Spanish armies enjoyed an almost unbroken string of victories on land, but for when the northern Low Countries rebelled and formed the Dutch Republic, as well as being the king who sent the ill fated Spanish Armada against protestant England. By any measure, Spain under his reign was the worlds sole superpower of its day, possessing one of its better navies, merchant fleets, and armies.
Philip was born in Valladolid on the 21st of May 1527 and was the only legitimate son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, by his wife Isabella of Portugal. He was educated by Roman Catholic clergymen, whose influence shaped his policies as prince.
