tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post5190618846782656896..comments2024-03-16T01:00:19.876-05:00Comments on The Mad Monarchist: Monarch Profile: King Felipe II of SpainMadMonarchisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083008336883267870noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post-13434169802809247492013-02-01T17:11:26.903-06:002013-02-01T17:11:26.903-06:00I have a couple of nice books on this subject. Phi...I have a couple of nice books on this subject. Phillip II and also the Grand Armada, which are somewhere in the mess which passes for my flat. In these books the historians point out that although the Spanish Armada was defeated for a number reasons. The death of Admiral Recalde before it was completely asembled, the storms which forced the fleet back in 1587 and made the sailing delayed to 1588 made things problematic. It also tipped off the English about what was to happen. Nevetheless this invasion fleet was a strategic victory. Since it kept England from attacking Spain for a whole generation. A raid on Cadiz in 1621 followed by the disgraceful campaign against Cadiz in 1626. Felipe III was now the throne and Duque de Medina Sidonia hijo (son) was the commander but this is not royal history. Another source is Conde de Olivares, a statesman in the age of decline.Nickuruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08874335943208548698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783969302315257415.post-17802032238317801102012-07-13T13:54:21.551-05:002012-07-13T13:54:21.551-05:00It's interesting how his reputation has suffer...It's interesting how his reputation has suffered in Protestant-leaning countries. I was fortunate enough to have a European history teacher smart enough to note that the disparaging view of Philip II held by many was incorrect, and that he was a talented, exceptionally pious ruler. I think his personal success, combined with the fact that the following Spanish Habsurgs had either less ability or ambition (Philip III and Charles II) or were hampered by the decline of the not-particularly intuitively organized state (Philip IV) enabled future generations to rather easily cast Philip II as a central character in Spain's "Black Legend."TranquilityAzurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16832547858455710868noreply@blogger.com