Philip of Spain
Henry Kamen
Kamen's revisionist biography of the most powerful ruler of the sixteenth-century world.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Elizabeth I of England
England
1580–1598
Akbar
Mughal Empire
1580–1598
Murad III
Ottoman Empire
1580–1595
John III of Sweden
Sweden
1580–1592
Wanli Emperor
China
1580–1598
Philip II of Spain
Spain
1580–1598
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1580–1598
Mehmed III
Ottoman Empire
1595–1598
James VI and I
Scotland
1587–1598
Henry IV of France
France
1589–1598
Emperor Go-Yōzei
Japan
1586–1598
Henry III of France
France
1580–1589
Ashikaga Yoshiaki
Japan (Shogunate)
1580–1588
Emperor Ōgimachi
Japan
1580–1586
Pope Clement VIII
Papacy
1592–1598
Pope Sixtus V
Papacy
1585–1590
Sigismund III Vasa
Sweden
1592–1598
Pope Gregory XIII
Papacy
1580–1585
Pope Gregory XIV
Papacy
1590–1591
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Philip II of Spain's life and times.
The Spanish Armada
Colin Martin & Geoffrey Parker
The defining crisis of Philip's reign, meticulously researched military and political history.
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