DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70031#0245
PHILIP II.
Philip II. son of Charles V. was born at Vallado-
lid, on the 21st of May, 1527* He became king of
Naples and Sicily by his father’s abdication, in 1554,
and ascended the throne of Spain by the same means on
the 17th of January, 1556. Charles had made a peace
with the French, but his son broke it; and having
formed an alliance with England, poured into Picardy
an army of 40,000 men. The French were cut to
pieces at the battle of St. Quintin, which was fought on
the 20th of August, 1557. That town was taken
by assault; and the day on which the breach was
mounted Philip appeared armed cap-a-pie, in order to
animate his soldiers. His terror was so great during
the action, that he made two vows : one, that he should
never again be present at a battle; and the other, to
build a magnificent monastery dedicated to St. Lau-
rence, to whom he attributed the success of his arms;
which he executed at Escureal, a village about seven
leagues from Madrid. The taking of Catelet, Ham,
and Noyon, were the only advantages he derived from
a battle which might have proved the ruin of France.
He reaped, however, considerable advantage from the
peace of Chateau-Cambreses, the master-piece of his
politics.
After these glorious achievements, Philip returned
in triumph to Spain. Upon his arrival at Valladolid,
he demanded of the grand inquisitor the spectacle of
an auto da fi. This was immediately granted : forty
Philip II. son of Charles V. was born at Vallado-
lid, on the 21st of May, 1527* He became king of
Naples and Sicily by his father’s abdication, in 1554,
and ascended the throne of Spain by the same means on
the 17th of January, 1556. Charles had made a peace
with the French, but his son broke it; and having
formed an alliance with England, poured into Picardy
an army of 40,000 men. The French were cut to
pieces at the battle of St. Quintin, which was fought on
the 20th of August, 1557. That town was taken
by assault; and the day on which the breach was
mounted Philip appeared armed cap-a-pie, in order to
animate his soldiers. His terror was so great during
the action, that he made two vows : one, that he should
never again be present at a battle; and the other, to
build a magnificent monastery dedicated to St. Lau-
rence, to whom he attributed the success of his arms;
which he executed at Escureal, a village about seven
leagues from Madrid. The taking of Catelet, Ham,
and Noyon, were the only advantages he derived from
a battle which might have proved the ruin of France.
He reaped, however, considerable advantage from the
peace of Chateau-Cambreses, the master-piece of his
politics.
After these glorious achievements, Philip returned
in triumph to Spain. Upon his arrival at Valladolid,
he demanded of the grand inquisitor the spectacle of
an auto da fi. This was immediately granted : forty