Valenciennes—Discontent of the Flemish nobles—They retire from government—Granvelle’s dismissal—The maladministration of the States—Egmont’s mission to Spain—Philip’s policy in the States—The Beggars—Orange’s action—Philip determines to exterminate heresy in the States—Philip’s projected voyage thither

99 CHAPTER X Renewed contest between Philip and the papacy—Condition of Don Carlos—His arrest and imprisonment—Philip’s explanations—Carlos’ last illness and death—Death of Elizabeth de Valois—The interviews of Bayonne and the Catholic League—Catharine de Medici—Philip face to face with Protestantism—Philip and the Moriscos—Rising of the Moriscos—Deza at Granada—Don Juan of Austria—Expulsion of the Moriscos from Andalucia 115 CHAPTER XI Philip and England—Elizabeth seizes his treasure—Spanish plots against her—Philip and the northern rebellion—The excommunication of Elizabeth—Ridolfi’s plot—Philip’s hesitancy—Prohibition of English trade with Spain—Its futility—Alba’s retirement from Flanders—Philip’s responsibility for Alba’s proceedings—The tenth penny—Philip’s disapproval—Orange’s approaches to the French 136 CHAPTER XII Philip’s fourth marriage—The killing of Montigny—Anne of Austria—Philip’s domestic life—His industry—The Escorial—His patronage of art—His character—Renewed war with the Turks—Don Juan commands the Spanish force—The victory of Lepanto—Don Juan’s great projects—Antonio Perez 153 CHAPTER XIII The Spanish troops in Flanders—Don Juan sent to Flanders—His projects for invading England—Mutiny of the Spanish troops in Flanders—The Spanish fury—Evacuation of Flanders by the Spanish troops—Perez’s plot against Don Juan—The murder of Escobedo—Don Juan seizes Namur—Renewal of the war—The battle of Gemblours—Desperation of Don Juan—His death—Alexander Farnese 168 CHAPTER XIV Philip’s ineffectual action against Elizabeth—The Desmond rebellion—Philip’s conquest of Portugal—Recall of Alba and Granvelle to Philip’s councils—Don Antonio, Prior of O Crato—Death of Anne of Austria—Philip in Portugal—Flight of Antonio—His reception in England and France—The Duke of Alençon—Philip and Mary Stuart—James Stuart—Fresh proposals of the Scottish Catholics to Philip—Philip and Granvelle’s views with regard to England—Lennox and the Jesuits mismanage the plot—Philip’s claim to the English crown—Expulsion of Mendoza from England—The English exiles urge Philip to invade England—Sixtus V.—Intrigues in Rome—The Babington plot 182 CHAPTER XV The Infanta to be Queen of England—Approaches of the Scottish Catholic lords to Philip—Execution of Mary Stuart—Intrigues for the English succession—Drake’s expedition to Cadiz—The peace negotiations with Farnese—Preparations for the Armada—Sailing of the Armada from Lisbon—Its return to Vigo—Medina Sidonia advises its abandonment—Its strength—Engagements with the English—Panic at Calais—Final defeat—Causes of the disaster—Philip’s reception of the news 202 CHAPTER XVI Don Antonio in England—Catharine’s support of him—Strozzi’s defeat at St. Michaels—Philip’s patronage of assassination—Philip and the League—Renewal of the war of religion in France—The murder of Guise—Imprisonment of Antonio Perez and the Princess of Eboli—Perez’s treachery—His escape to Aragon—The fueros of Aragon—Philip proceeds against Perez—Perez arrested by the Inquisition of Aragon—Rising in Zaragoza—Perez’s escape—Suppression of the Aragonese 223 CHAPTER XVII Philip and Mayenne—The English attack upon Lisbon—Assassination of Henry III.—Philip’s plans in France—The war of the League—The battle of Ivry—Philip’s attitude towards Mayenne—Farnese enters France—Relief of Paris—Retirement of Farnese—Philip changes his plans in France—Farnese’s second campaign—Henry IV. goes to mass—Enters Paris as king—Exit of the Spaniards 237 CHAPTER XVIII Blighting influence of Philip’s system on his officers—Effects of Philip’s routine on the administration—Social condition of Spain and the colonies—Dr. Lopez and Antonio Perez—Philip II. and