| Philip II | |
|---|---|
| Philip II | |
| Civilization | Spain / Portugal |
| Agenda | Unknown |
Philip II is one of the expected upcoming Leaders in Civilization VI. Philip II leads the Spanish / Portuguese Civilizations.
Unique units
History
Philip II of Spain (21 May 1527 – 13 September 1598), called "the Prudent", was King of Spain (1556–98), King of Portugal (1581–98), King of Naples and Sicily (both from 1554), and during his marriage to Queen Mary I (1554–58) King of England and Ireland. 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 for the declaration of independence which created the Dutch Republic in 1581. A devout Catholic, Philip is also known for organizing a huge naval expedition against Protestant England in 1588, known usually as the Spanish Armada, which was unsuccessful, mostly due to storms and grave 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."