hilip II (1527-98), king of Spain. Having
successfully stamped out Protestantism in Spain, he endeavored to
carry out the same policy in the Netherlands. A revolt ensued,
which resulted in the independence, under William of Orange, of
the seven United Provinces. Though Philip defeated the Turks at
Lepanto in 1571, and annexed Portugal in 1580, he failed to
conquer England; and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588
marked the beginning of the decline of Spain. [The Home
University Encyclopedia, 1946]
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