1556 vs. 1598

Question 1

Weaknesses of Philip’s inheritance in 1556

Answer 1

Weaknesses in Philip’s inheritance in 1556:
1. The separatist nature of Spain with its ethnic divisions
Over-dominance of Castile
The dissatisfaction of Aragon.

2. Problems with finance and the economy
   Debt of 30m ducats or the distorted tax system
   Bankruptcy in 1557 and the short term measures had been adopted at the expense of long term success for finance and the economy.
3. Inadequate nature of government systems, particularly the clumsy conciliar system.
4. Relationships with France and the Turks may be considered and suggest that Cateau Cambresis left Spain secure and that the Turkish threat had diminished, although the Barbary pirates were still an issue and this could be linked to the Morisco threat.
5. Religious problems, including the need for reform and particularly the issue of the Moriscos

Question 2

Strengths of Philip’s inheritance

Answer 2

Strengths of inheritance

1. the relative unity of the kingdom Philip inherited and the benefits of Charles’s splitting of his lands
2. religious uniformity and strength of the Catholic Church could be considered a strength
3. Royal government, whilst dependent on the nobility at a local level, worked reasonably effectively at the centre through its councils and the bureaucracy of letrados.

Question 3

Lands he inherited

Answer 3

‘The strangest thing ever to happen’ Pope Julius III on abdication of Charles
• Inherited Burgundy 1555
• Inherited Franche Comte - April 1556
• In January 1556 inherited Spanish Kingdoms in Old and New World – 3 different documents so reflected confederate nature of the Spanish monarchy
In 1556, Philip was King of Spain, Ruler of Sardinia, King of Naples and Sicily and Ruler of each province in the Netherlands
The Spanish empire also held lands in the Americas including: Peru, Florida, the West Indies and Argentina

Question 4

Main problems of his inheritance

Answer 4

• Church unreformed and schism still existed
• Protestants had not been crushed
• France still a threat
• Turks still a threat
• Pope very anti Hapsburg

Question 5

Philip defaulted and rescheduled loans

Answer 5

New Year’s Day 1557 Philip defaulted and rescheduled loans

Question 6

Battle of St Quentin

Answer 6

August 1557- Battle of St Quentin greatest military victory but loss of Calais

Question 7

Treaty of Cateau Cambresis

Answer 7

April 1559 Treaty of Cateau Cambresis
• Spain was left supreme in Italy with Sicily, Sardinia, Naples, Milan and 5 coastal fortresses in Tuscany
• Many rulers e.g. Dukes of Savoy, Medici in Milan and Doria in Genoa now owed Spain
• Metz, Toul, Verdun to France but emperor had to give consent to full sovereignty – did so 1648.
• Marriage to Elizabeth of Valois

Question 8

Venetian ambassador’s quote on Philip’s foreign policy

Answer 8

Aim 1559 Venetian ambassador aim ‘not to wage war so that he can add to his kingdom but to wage peace so that he can keep the lands he has’

Question 9

Philip’s experience upon his inheritance

Answer 9

Not inexperienced as he had been regent in Spain as early as 1543

Question 10

Spanish strengths by 1598

Answer 10

• Control of American and Italian Empires
• Flow of bullion from the New World
• Victory at Lepanto
• Acquisition of Portugal
• Strong personal government
• Absence of noble faction
• Stand against heresy
• Cultural highlights – Cervantes and El Greco
• Religious – St Theresa of Avila St John of the Cross

Question 11

Spanish weaknesses by 1598

Answer 11

• Battle against international Protestantism had been lost
• Armada had not removed Elizabeth as a threat
• English pirates still preying on Spanish trade in the Atlantic
• Northern Netherlands remained Calvinist
• Had been forced to recognise the right of Henry of Navarre to the French throne
• Had to recognise the right of existence of the Huguenot church in France (Edict of Nates)