Territories and Conflicts of Charles I and Philip II

Territories of Charles I

From his father Philip: The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and part of France. From his mother Joanna of Castile: Castile. From his grandfather Ferdinand of Aragon: Crown of Aragon, Balearic Islands, Kingdoms of Naples, and Sicily. From his grandfather Maximilian of Austria: Austria. Territories of Holy Roman Empire: The Netherlands, Luxembourg, part of France, Austria, and Milan.

Changes in Philip II Territories

Inherited most of Charles I's territories, except Austria and the title of Emperor. In 1580, Philip incorporated Portugal into the Crown of Castile. In 1561, he made Madrid the capital.

Characteristic of Government of Philip II

Philip centralized government by making Madrid the capital. He never convened the Cortes and governed with the help of secretaries and representatives from the Councils of State. He established territorial councils in each of his territories, overseen by a viceroy and a royal court who answered directly to the king. He created royal officials called corregidores to represent his royal authority. Philip also created a professional army to help him maintain his supremacy in Europe, based on a new combat unit, the tercio.

Internal Conflicts

Charles I

• Revolt of Comuneros 1520-1521
• Rebellion of the brotherhoods

Philip II

• Revolts of the moriscos
• Conflict with Aragon (Antonio Perez conspiracy)

External Conflicts

• France
• Lutheranism in the German States
• Calvinism and independence in the Netherlands
• England
• The Turkish threat (the Ottoman Empire) and the annexation of Portugal