RSS
|
|
|
Also known as Philip the Prudent, he ruled one of the world's largest empires which included territories in every continent then known to Europeans. Philip was born in Valladolid, the son of Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire, and his consort, Isabella of Portugal. During his reign, Spain was the foremost Western European power. Under his rule, Spain reached the height of its influence and power, directing explorations all around the world and settling the colonization of territories in all the known continents. He was described by the Venetian ambassador Paolo Fagolo in 1563 as "slight of stature and roundfaced, 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." When Spanish explorer Ruy Lopez de Villalobos commanded to voyage in the Pacific, he named the place which he landed Las Islas Filipinas in honor to king Philip II of Spain, which eventually changed to Philippines. Whilst his marriage to Mary Tudor, Mary I of England ultimately produced no children, Phillip is an ancestor of the Jacobite claimants to the British throne from 1807, through his grand-daughter, Anne Marie d'Orléans, as is Mary, Queen of Scots, whose execution by his former wife's sister, Elizabeth I of England, he was indirectly responsible for during events after the end of his kingship of England and death of Mary Tudor, which led to the Spanish Armada. |
