Philip II

"Spanish America was to a large extent the creation of one man - Philip II of Spain, "The Most Potent Monarch of Christendom." Philip ruled a quarter of the world's population, including the Philippines (named after him), everything from Florida to the southern tip of Chile, and much of Europe. Philip is also noted for a great failure - his ill-fated attempt to invade England with his Armada.". "Obsessively devoted to his faith, Philip could never trust anyone, and would not compromise with Protestants or Muslims. He watched with righteous delight the agonies of heretics burning at the stake.…