Background

Question 1

What had Charles left Philip? What was said in this?

Answer 1

Two sets of instructions, one titled ‘confidential’ meant only for him and the other ‘private’ meant for key advisors. In the former he told Philip not to trust anyone completely, advice which Philip strongly adhered to.

‘depend on none but yourself’

Question 2

Explain the situation with Philip’s son.

Answer 2

• Don Carlos had increasingly shown signs of mental instability and a volatile temperament
• Charles refused to host him at Yuste
• on one instance Don Carlos drew a knife on the Duke of Alba (who now had the position of Governor of Netherlands that had previously been promised to Carlos)
• defenestrated a page who annoyed him
• tried to murder people who resisted him
• asked Eboli for 20 000 ducats to escape Spain and demanded Don John take him to Italy
• in January 1568, Philip had Carlos arrested; his condition had ‘deteriorated so far’ that it was unavoidable
• he died shortly after, and some theorize that this may have been on Philip’s orders

Question 3

What did Lynch say about the threat Carlos posed?

Answer 3

‘even his schemes for escaping Spain - all of them pathetically lacking in secrecy - must be considered as the outpourings of a disordered mind rather than a calculated plot to subvert the monarch, of which he was palpably incapable’ and therefore he posed no real threat.

Question 4

Who did Philip have executed in 1570? What did this suggest about Philip?

Answer 4

Baron de Montigny - had it done secretly and stated in a letter to the Duke of Alba that everyone thought his death was the result of illness.

May lead historians to doubt Philip’s integrity.

Question 5

What did Giovanni Michaeli say about Philip?

Answer 5

‘There is no one, however lowly he may be, who does not easily find him easily approachable and a patient listener. He is generous for he grants more than he leads one to hope.’

Question 6

Describe Philip’s style of government.

Answer 6

Bureaucratic