Philip of Spain, the son of the Emperor Charles V, had a twofold mission: "to compass the victory of righteousness upon the earth" and "to exalt Spain to the highest place among the nations." The throne of England — its influence and allegiances — was seen as an essential tool, and to gain it he was prepared to sacrifice anything — marital comfort, his way of life, money (always scarce), and even — surprisingly — his religious principles.
The author focuses on events and personalities in England, from the death of Edward VI, through Mary's struggles to gain and retain her crown, and her violent efforts to restore the Catholic religion; to the reign of Elizabeth, her relations with Mary Queen of Scots before and after Mary became a prisoner and the focus of many plots in England, and the intrigues of the French, especially the Guise family. During this long period, working at a distance through ambassadors whose personal pride and cultural background set them inevitably at odds with the English, the slow-thinking and cautious Philip gradually abandoned his attempts to gain England by marriage and negotiation, and slid into the fatal decision to win it by conquest.
You may also enjoy:
— Elizabeth de Valois Queen of Spain, and the Court of Philip II, by Martha Walker Freer, about Philip's third wife, the daughter of Henri II of France, her early life growing up with Mary Queen of Scots, her marriage at the age of 14, and her life in Spain. [ASIN: B00XTALNK4]
— The Girlhood of Mary Queen of Scots, by Jane T Stoddart, about Mary's life in France. [ASIN: B011P7M7NE]
— The Life of Jane Dormer Duchess of Feria, by Henry Clifford, about the close companion of Queen Mary, who married Philip's first ambassador to England, the fiery Duke of Feria. [ASIN: B01496JQRS]
If you would like to see portraits of some of the people mentioned in the book, please visit Pinterest at https://uk.pinterest.com/kindleifier/ where you will find several thousand images relating to the 16th century.
The author focuses on events and personalities in England, from the death of Edward VI, through Mary's struggles to gain and retain her crown, and her violent efforts to restore the Catholic religion; to the reign of Elizabeth, her relations with Mary Queen of Scots before and after Mary became a prisoner and the focus of many plots in England, and the intrigues of the French, especially the Guise family. During this long period, working at a distance through ambassadors whose personal pride and cultural background set them inevitably at odds with the English, the slow-thinking and cautious Philip gradually abandoned his attempts to gain England by marriage and negotiation, and slid into the fatal decision to win it by conquest.
You may also enjoy:
— Elizabeth de Valois Queen of Spain, and the Court of Philip II, by Martha Walker Freer, about Philip's third wife, the daughter of Henri II of France, her early life growing up with Mary Queen of Scots, her marriage at the age of 14, and her life in Spain. [ASIN: B00XTALNK4]
— The Girlhood of Mary Queen of Scots, by Jane T Stoddart, about Mary's life in France. [ASIN: B011P7M7NE]
— The Life of Jane Dormer Duchess of Feria, by Henry Clifford, about the close companion of Queen Mary, who married Philip's first ambassador to England, the fiery Duke of Feria. [ASIN: B01496JQRS]
If you would like to see portraits of some of the people mentioned in the book, please visit Pinterest at https://uk.pinterest.com/kindleifier/ where you will find several thousand images relating to the 16th century.
