X-Nico

unusual facts about King Philip II of Spain



Lignum nephriticum

In 1570, Francisco Hernández de Toledo, the court physician of King Philip II of Spain, led what is considered the first scientific expedition to the Americas.


see also

Anne Percy, Countess of Northumberland

When Graham betrayed her husband to James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, she and her baby escaped to the Continent, arriving in Bruges on 31 August 1570, where she sought aid from Pope Pius V and King Philip II of Spain to raise money for her husband's ransom; the Pope gave her four thousand crowns and King Philip sent her six thousands marks.

Ruy López de Segura

In 1574–75 he lost the first known international Chess Tournament, which was held, at the invitation of King Philip II of Spain, at the Royal Court of Spain in El Escorial, close to Madrid, to Leonardo di Bona, a Calabrian lawyer, and to Paolo Boi, but placing ahead of 4th (and last) place finisher Alfonso Ceron .