What Were the Accomplishments of Philip II of Spain?
Philip II was one of the most powerful monarchs of his era and remains to be well-known until today. During his reign, Spain reached its Golden Age and was able to have numerous achievements in music, literature, and visual arts. The Spanish kingdom also flourished, gaining territories around the world and getting the nickname of “the empire on which the sun never sets”. Philip II himself went on to become the King of Castile, Aragon, Naples, Sicily, Portugal, Chile, England, Ireland, and other places and gain other kinds of titles.
Philip II wasn't exactly popular among many people, especially the Protestants whom he persecuted. However, it can't be denied that the Spanish monarch had …show more content…
Philip II sent another fleet in 1573 and recovered Tunis from the Turks.
Winning the war against the Papal States
The pope during Philip II's reign, Pope Paul IV, was against the Spanish. This led Philip II to declare war against the Papal States in 1556, justifying it by saying that it was for the Church's benefit and sending Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba, to lead his troops. The war ended in late 1557, with Cardinal Carlo Carafa accepting the duke's conditions through a peace agreement.
Leading Spain to victory during the Italian Wars
Philip II was key to Spain's victory during the final years of the Italian Wars, which had been going on for six and a half decades. Under Philip II's leadership, Spain gained the support of England due to his marriage to Queen Mary I. With its powerful army, the Spanish subsequently defeated the French two times, at the Battle of Saint-Quentin in 1557 and the Battle of Gravelines in 1558. These victories led to the creation of the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis, which ended the Italian Wars, restored Savoy, Piedmont, and Corsica to Spain's allies, and ensured that Spain would become a powerful presence in most of
Philip II was one of the most powerful monarchs of his era and remains to be well-known until today. During his reign, Spain reached its Golden Age and was able to have numerous achievements in music, literature, and visual arts. The Spanish kingdom also flourished, gaining territories around the world and getting the nickname of “the empire on which the sun never sets”. Philip II himself went on to become the King of Castile, Aragon, Naples, Sicily, Portugal, Chile, England, Ireland, and other places and gain other kinds of titles.
Philip II wasn't exactly popular among many people, especially the Protestants whom he persecuted. However, it can't be denied that the Spanish monarch had …show more content…
Philip II sent another fleet in 1573 and recovered Tunis from the Turks.
Winning the war against the Papal States
The pope during Philip II's reign, Pope Paul IV, was against the Spanish. This led Philip II to declare war against the Papal States in 1556, justifying it by saying that it was for the Church's benefit and sending Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba, to lead his troops. The war ended in late 1557, with Cardinal Carlo Carafa accepting the duke's conditions through a peace agreement.
Leading Spain to victory during the Italian Wars
Philip II was key to Spain's victory during the final years of the Italian Wars, which had been going on for six and a half decades. Under Philip II's leadership, Spain gained the support of England due to his marriage to Queen Mary I. With its powerful army, the Spanish subsequently defeated the French two times, at the Battle of Saint-Quentin in 1557 and the Battle of Gravelines in 1558. These victories led to the creation of the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis, which ended the Italian Wars, restored Savoy, Piedmont, and Corsica to Spain's allies, and ensured that Spain would become a powerful presence in most of