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Death of Philip II

Type Event Region Spain Time 1598

On 13 September 1598 Spain's Philip II died at the Escorial aged 71, after nearly 42 years of rule that expanded American colonies, suppressed the Du…

Timeline

  1. 1598Escorial Palace · SpainPhilip II, long afflicted by gout and malaria, died in his bedchamber at the Escorial. On his deathbed he remained concerned with the war against England and the situation in the Netherlands, naming his eldest son Philip III to succeed him and urging continuation of Catholic causes and imperial unity.
  2. 1598Madrid · SpainPhilip II left a vast empire spanning four continents, but had suffered four bankruptcies, an unresolved Dutch revolt, and a stalemate with England after the Armada's failure. After his death Spain entered a new phase dominated by favourites and regents, and imperial expansion turned to defense.

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