Philip II and the conquest of relics for the “Tercios” of Flanders: the example of Leiden (1570-1574) ; Felipe II y la conquista de reliquias por los Tercios de Flandes: el ejemplo de Leiden (1570-1574)

The patrimonial principles and the exaggerated religious beliefs of Phillip II of Spain, placed in the complex foreign affairs of the 16th century, led to the presence of the castilian troops in many european battlefields. Phillip II had to cope with a raising international hostility, not only due to strategic reasons but also to his clear imperialist ideas. But we can´t avoid some ideological statements because the King considered himself as the true protector of Christianity. The Spanish Tercios, and specially the Duke of Alba, developed military purposes but they were also finders and guard... Mehr ...