Friday, November 23, 2007

Spanish Monarchs

Fr. Blake has a post about the much-maligned Philip II.
Yet, beyond the exigencies of politics, Philip, the most powerful man in the world, remained an extraordinarily humble monarch. “They need to see that I am mortal,” he insisted, “like everyone else.” He showed scant interest in pomp and finery, altering royal protocol to ensure that he should be addressed in official documents not as “Majesty” but simply as “Sir”. He even recognised a certain value in tolerating political dissent. “The Prince of whom subjects complain the least,” he observed, “is he who gives them most freedom to complain.” With this humility went a real concern for the poor and unfortunate. It was typical of him that, when the remnants of the defeated Armada returned to Spain, he immediately gave orders that the wounded should be properly treated and receive a pension. As to the disaster itself, he disdained to express any complaint. “It is impiety, and almost blasphemy,” he considered, “to presume to know the will of God.”

Laudem Gloriae discusses Queen Isabel.


Anonymous said...

What are the dates of Philip II reign? I was watching a documentary regarding the Knights of Malta, and it mentioned that Philip of Spain gave them the Island of Malta as their home when they had to leave the Middle East. He wanted them to swear Fealty to Spain, but they refused because they did not want to get embroiled in any wars that most likely would spring up between France and Spain, etc.

elena maria vidal said...

From Wikipedia:

Philip II (Spanish: Felipe II de Habsburgo; Portuguese: Filipe I) (May 21, 1527 – September 13, 1598) was King of Spain from 1556 until 1598, King of Naples and Sicily 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.

Enbrethiliel said...


The Philippines was (were?) named after King Philip II--but you probably already knew that Elena! =)

elena maria vidal said...

That was actually one of the first things I knew about Philip II when I was a child, that the Philippines had been named for him.....