t more money and a further 6,000 soldiers, and a year later, an official English army.Philip prepared for a Spanish armada to be sent to attack and invade England. It was believed by some that Philip, who knew who was quickly ageing, wanted to end his reign with a final decisive victory in the name of Spain and Catholicism. The pope believed that Philip was moved only by considerations of ‘global strategy and revenge’.The armada of 1588 failed. More than half of the ships sent were destroyed and 15,000 Spanish troops lost. Although it was a comprehensive loss for Spain, Philip was graceful in defeat. He accepted his failures and that he had been unable to break English allegiances with the rebels. Instead he made plans for further armadas to attack Ireland, which would be used as a base of attack against England. These too failed, mainly due to unreliable weather. England was a remaining blot on Philip’s mind which he could not overcome, all the way up to his death.So it becomes apparent, that while Philip may not have been at his most effective consistently throughout his reign, he also showed signs of an evolved skill for leadership. The most clinical point is that Philip appeared to learn from his mistakes in the past and make changes in his political and military thinking to manipulate a situation to his advantage. The true indication of success can be determined by comparing the state of his empire and either chronological end of his reign. Under Charles, the Holy Roman Empire may well have fared better, but Philip in time began to account for the all the problems which his coronation had inevitably created. However deep the effects Philip left upon his contemporaries, he was to leave a legacy that would never be forgotten....
