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Philip I of Portugal, the
Prudent (Port. O Prudente) was born at Valladolid, the
heir apparent and only legitimate son of the Holy Roman
Emperor, Charles V and queen consort Isabella of Portugal
to survive childhood.
Philip annexed the throne of Portugal, and the success of
colonisation in America improved his financial position,
enabling him to show greater aggression towards his
enemies. In 1580 the direct line of Portuguese royal
family died out following a disastrous campaign in Morocco,
giving Philip the pretext to claim the throne through his
mother, who was a Portuguese princess. When Lisbon refused
Philip's claims he orchestrated a take-over, invading,
annexing, and seizing the throne, which would be held by
Spain for sixty years.
Despite having far more gold
and silver than any other European power flowing in from
Spanish America and the addition of Portugal, and the
enthusiastic support under the guise of the
Counter-Reformation, Philip's rule ended in devastating
setbacks for Spain. Philip was bankrupt by 1596. He died
in 1598 and was succeeded by his son, king Philip II.
Philip's enemies (generally protestant propagandists),
were instrumental in the creation of the Black Legend of
Spain, depicting Philip I as a bloodthirsty tyrant among
other things. |
500rs
King Carlos I
