v44_0687 - SPANISH NETHERLANDS - COUNTY OF ARTOIS - PHILIP II OF SPAIN Demi-écu Philippe

SPANISH NETHERLANDS - COUNTY OF ARTOIS - PHILIP II OF SPAIN

(25/10/1555-13/09/1598)

Philip II (1527-1598) is the son of Charles V and Isabella of Portugal. He succeeded his father who abdicated in his favor in 1555 in the Spanish Netherlands and, in 1556, for Spain and America. He successively married Marie of Portugal (1527-1545), then his cousin Marie Tudor (1516-1558), Queen of England, in 1560 Elisabeth of France (1545-1568) and finally Anne of Austria (1549-1580). He fights against the France of Henri II, then of Henri IV. He supports the Counter-Reformation. He won the victory of Lepanto in 1571, died in 1598 and his son Philippe succeeded him.