Phillip toyed with idea
of trying to marry
Elizabeth but Elizabeths
decision to restore
protestantism ended this
Charles V abdicated October 1555.
Son Phillip II ruled netherlands +
spain, brother Ferdinand ruled
German/Austrian lands, son
Maximillian HRE
Local discontent in
Netherlands complicated
by spread of Protestantism.
August 1566 protestants
start rioting + iconoclasm
Phillip responds 1567 sends
large force of
Italian/Spanish soldiers.
Commander Duke of Alba
suppressed all resistance.
Just created more resistance
from protestants + catholics
as he raised taxes to pay for
his army. Elizabeth weary
of troops across Channel
Attack in 1568 by Spain
on English privateers
illegally trading in the
West Indies increased
tensions.
1568 4 ships carrying Genoese
bullion to pay troops in
Netherlands took refuge from
Pirates in England. E detained
them. Alba retaliated against
English merchants in
Netherlands. E seized bullion.
1570s
During 1570s E lent
small sums of money to
rebels allowed
volunteers to aid but not
commit troops
1575 Spanish government
went bankrupt when
Calvin enthusiasts tried to
impose beliefs on Catholics
so Netherlands split in two
1579 South formed union of
Arras made peace with Spain.
William of Orange formed
union of Utrecht refused to
recognise phillip as ruler
1580s
1584 E finally
commits troops
to prevent
Dutch collapse
1586 Francis Drake launched
preemptive strike against
Phillip. Sailed into port of
Cadiz destroyed c10,000 tons
of Spanish Ships. Delayed
Phillip's plan to invade
England didnt prevent.
Spanish Armada defeat not
end of Spanish conflict.
Phillip built more ships in
1588 + England continued to
fear invasion through
1590s.
1590s/1600s
1596 English
mounted another
sucessful raid on
Cadiz
Spain sent support
to Irish Rebels.
4,000 sent in 1601
England aided dutch rebels
+ Henry of Navarre
against Phillip 1602 8,000
English troops fighting in
the Netherlands