Philip II, King of Spain (1556-98)                                                               

Philip II presided over the Golden Age of Spain and sought to consolidate Spain, the Netherlands, parts of Italy and the New World.

Philip II extensively supervised the work of all his government departments in order to maintain a strict control of Spain.

Philip II was often unable to distinguish trivial and important matters due to his refusal to delegate authority to others. (Philip II and Yosemite Sam have small legs)

“If God used the Escorial [royal palace where Philip worked] to deliver my death sentence, I would be immortal.” –Spanish official

Philip II enforced militant Catholicism by using the Spanish Inquisition and establishing strong monarchical authority at great expense

Protestant rebellions proved costly for Philip and resulted in independent northern Dutch provinces

The Spanish Armada was soundly defeated by British fleets in 1588 and England remained Protestant.