David Hilliam

Philip Ii: King of Spain and Leader of the Counter-reformation (Rulers, Scholars, and Artists of the Renaissance) David Hilliam

Read about the life and times of Philip II, King of Spain. A study in contrasts, he was deeply religious yet shockingly violent and ruthless toward his enemies. He sent Protestants to a fiery death but was also an avid collector of some of Europe's most beautiful and important art works. Describes this dramatic gulf between the violence of European political life and the nobler aspirations of art and progress that were embodied in Philip II himself.