| Philip the Handsome | |
|---|---|
_-_GG_3872.jpg) Portrait byJuan de Flandes,c. 1500 | |
| King of Castile andLeón (jure uxoris) (as Philip I) | |
| Reign | 12 July –25 September 1506 |
| Proclamation | 12 July 1506 |
| Predecessor | Joanna I |
| Successor | Joanna I |
| Co-monarch | Joanna I |
| Lord of the Netherlands (ruler of theHabsburg Netherlands) | |
| Reign | 27 March 1482 –25 September 1506 |
| Predecessor | Mary andMaximilian I |
| Successor | Charles II |
| Regent and governors | See list
|
| Count ofArtois,Burgundy, andCharolais (claim since 1482, effectively since 1493) | |
| Reign | 23 May 1493 –25 September 1506 |
| Predecessor | Charles VIII of France |
| Successor | Charles II |
| Born | 22 June/July 1478 Bruges,Flanders,Burgundian Netherlands |
| Died | 25 September 1506(1506-09-25) (aged 28) Burgos,Castile,Spain |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | |
| House | Habsburg |
| Father | Maximilian I, King of the Romans (later Holy Roman Emperor) |
| Mother | Mary, Duchess of Burgundy |
| Religion | Catholic Church |
| Signature | .PNG) |
Philip the Handsome[a] (22 June/July 1478 – 25 September 1506), also calledPhilip the Fair, was the firstKing of Castile from theHouse of Habsburg (asPhilip I) for a brief time in 1506. He was also ruler of theHabsburg Netherlands from 1482, and additionally ruled over the counties ofArtois,Burgundy andCharolais from 1493.
The son of archdukeMaximilian of Austria (later Holy Roman Emperor as Maximilian I) and duchessMary of Burgundy, Philip was not yet four years old when his mother died as a result of a riding accident, and upon her death in March 1482, he inherited her titles, and effective possessions in theBurgundian Netherlands, thus becoming the first Habsburg ruler of those lands, as confirmed by theTreaty of Arras in December 1482.[1] Already in 1493, by theTreaty of Senlis, additional parts of his Burgundian inheritance were secured for Philip, including the counties of Artois, Burgundy and Charolais. Despite his young age, Philip quickly proved himself an effective ruler beloved by his people in theLow Countries, pursuing policies that favored peace and economic development, while maintaining a steady course of the government building.
In 1496, Philip's father arranged for him to marryJoanna, the second daughter of QueenIsabella I of Castile and KingFerdinand II of Aragon.[2] Around the same time, Philip's sister,Margaret, was given in marriage to Joanna's brotherJohn, Prince of Asturias. After the deaths of her brother John, sisterIsabella, and nephewMiguel, Joanna becameheiress presumptive to the thrones of Castile and Aragon. Most of Philip's time in Spain was spent consolidating his power, often leading to conflicts with his wife and her father. Joanna became queen of Castile when her mother died in 1504. Philip was proclaimed king in 1506, but died a few months later, leaving his wife distraught with grief. Joanna's father,Ferdinand II of Aragon, and her own son,Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, were quick to seize power, confining the queen for the rest of her life on account of her alleged insanity.[3]
Philip was the firstHabsburg monarch in Spain, and every Spanish monarch since his sonCharles V has been one of his descendants. Philip died before his father, and therefore never inherited his father's territories or becameHoly Roman Emperor. However, his son Charles eventually united the Habsburg, Burgundian, Castilian, and Aragonese inheritances. By inheriting the Burgundian Netherlands and acquiring much of Spain and its possessions in the New World by marriage to Joanna, Philip was instrumental in greatly enhancing the territories of the Habsburgs, and his progeny would rule over vast European territories for the next five centuries.
Philip was also holder of severaltitular claims on rule over those lands of hisBurgundian inheritance that were taken from his mother by theFrench in 1477, thus claiming the title of theDuke of Burgundy from 1482 to 1506.
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Philip was born inBruges on 22 June/July 1478, the son of the futureMaximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, by his first wifeMary, Duchess of Burgundy.[4][b] He was born in theCounty of Flanders (today inBelgium) during the reign of his grandfatherFrederick III. When Philip was born, KingLouis XI of France, the chief opponent of his parents, spread the rumour that the child was actually a girl, not a boy. When Philip's baptism was organized, his step-grandmotherMargaret of York showed the boy naked to the populace, so that any doubt about the child's sex would disappear. The child was named in honour of his maternal great-grandfather,Philip the Good, paternal grandfather of his mother Mary. In his first presentation to the father, the parents expressed double dynastic pride. Mary said: “Sir, look at your son and our child, young Philip of imperial seed.” Maximilian kissed the baby, and replied, “O noble Burgundian blood, my offspring, named afterPhilip of Valois.”[7]
Philip was only four years old when his mother died in March 1482, resulting in him succeeding all of her titles, and effective possessions in theBurgundian Netherlands, under the guardianship of his father. Already in December 1482, theTreaty of Arras was concluded with the kingLouis XI of France, that secured Philip's rule over much of theLow Countries, but also left theDuchy of Burgundy in French possession, and additionally defined the counties ofArtois,Burgundy andCharolais as the dowry of Philip's sisterArchduchess Margaret of Austria, who was engaged to the French prince.[8]
A period of turmoil ensued which witnessed sporadic hostilities between, principally, the large towns of Flanders (especiallyGhent andBruges) and the supporters of Maximilian. Philip became caught up in events and his custody was taken away by a council appointed by the Netherlandish Estates[9] as part of thelarger Flemish campaign to support their claims of greater autonomy, which they had wrested from Mary of Burgundy in an agreement known as theGreat Privilege of 1477. It was only in the summer of 1485 that Maximilian, marching into Ghent with German troops and forcing its leader Jan Coppenhole to flee, could embrace his son again. Young Philip was then brought to Mechelen and delivered to the loving care of Margaret of York.[10]
By 1492, the rebellions were completely suppressed. Maximilian revoked the Great Privilege and established a strong ducal monarchy, undisturbed byparticularism. But he would not reintroduce Charles the Bold'scentralizing ordinances. Since 1489 (after his departure), the government underAlbert III, Duke of Saxony, had made more efforts in consulting representative institutions and showed more restraint in subjugating recalcitrant territories. Notables who had previously supported rebellions returned to city administrations. The Estates General continued to develop as a regular meeting place of the central government.[11][12] By the time Maximilian handed over the government to Philip, Habsburg rule was a matter of fact.[13]
Despite tumultuous political conditions, the early death of Philip's mother as well as the separation from his father and sister, Philip's young life did not lack luxuries. He was educated for the needs of a person of hissocial class. He became accomplished in archery, tennis, stick fighting, hunting. He also proved a valiantknight, like his father. He was a good dancer and conversationalist. He also inherited his parents' passion for music. Although, this boisterousness would not manifest in his manners as a politician.[14][15][16]
Constant campaigning caused Maximilian, the father, to be absent from the young Philip's life (he returned to battles only two months after Philip's birth). Later, emotional problems made Maximilian try to avoid returning to the Netherlands, and he would miss both the 1494 inauguration and 1496 wedding of his son.[17] Philip's tutors since arriving atMechelen wereOlivier de la Marche andFrançois de Busleyden, who would later be his chancellor in Flanders.[18]
In 1493, theTreaty of Senlis was concluded with the kingCharles VIII of France, expanding Philip's effective rule to the counties ofArtois,Burgundy andCharolais.[19] In the same year, his grandfather, emperorFrederick III died, thus Philip's fatherMaximilian I became the new ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. Burdened with his new responsibilities and personally exasperated by his relationship with the Burgundian lands, he decided to transfer power to the 15-year-old Philip.[20] The news was welcomed by Burgundian lands, as the new ruler was native-born, spoke the language, was peace-loving and trusted his advisors, while Maximilian was warlike and did not respect the Great Privilege. From this year, Philip was in control of the government.[21] AsKing of the Romans, Maximilian did not accept homage from Philip though, a signal that he intended to exercise direct control over the lands. His defeated subjects were too exhausted to resist.[12]
At his inauguration in 1494, one of Philip the Fair's first administrative acts was the abolition of the Great Privilege.[22] He swore to maintaining only the privileges granted at the time of Philip the Good.[12] As during the revolts, many of the rebels had claimed Philip as their rightful and natural prince (as opposed to his father), Philip capitalized on this to restore several of his great-grandfather and grandfather's centralizing policies, while abandoning theirexpansionism.[23]
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Philip was an inexperienced ruler and had a reputation for accommodating and trusting advisors, but also had a backbone. Philip freed himself from his father's control. Although Busleyden was temporarily disgraced when Maximilian summoned his son in 1496 to Germany, he was soon restored. In 1497, Philip replaced Jean Carondelet, the chancellor Maximilian had appointed, with Thomas de Plaine, who was devoted to his interests.[10] His pursuit of peace with France frustrated Maximilian, who was waging war againstCharles VIII of France. Philip reconciled theregionalism represented by the Great Privilege with the harsh centralization the country had experienced under Charles the Bold, softening the rigorous demands of both sides while giving in to neither. He reimposed the Parliament of Mechelen (renamed as theGreat Council, which was placed in Mechelen in December 1501 – de jure from 1504) and reclaimed royal domains. He placated France while reopening thetrade route with England in theMagnus Intercursus. His policies gained him the love of the country.[24] Patricia Carson opines, though, that it was clear from the beginning that this was not meant to last, as Philip would never be able to focus on Burgundian lands forever. He was the heir of his father as Holy Roman Emperor. What the Low Countries could not have foreseen, was that Philip would one day claim the throne in Spain as well, as the husband of Joanna.[25]
From the time of Philip, the government in the Low Countries constituted a compromise between the states and the Empire (although, at this time, Burgundian lands had not become part of imperial circles yet, which would be confirmed in 1512 and formalized in 1548). The chancellor of Burgundy became responsible for the government's practical work in the absence of the emperor while the Great Council (Hoge Raad) acted as the country's highest body of judicial power.[26]
Philip's policy was focused on maintaining peace and economic development for his Burgundian lands. Maximilian wanted to recover Guelders, but his son wanted to keep a neutral policy and thus the father was left fightingCharles of Egmond over Guelders on his own. Only at the end of his reign, Philip decided to deal with that threat together with his father.[27] Guelders had been weakened because of the continuous state of war and other problems. That would turn out to be the only campaign in Philip's life. The duke of Cleves and the bishop of Utrecht, hoping to share spoils, gave Philip aid. Maximilian invested his own son with Guelders and Zutphen. Within months, Philip conquered the whole land and Charles of Egmond was forced to prostrate himself in front of his sovereign at the palace of Rosendaal. Charles was then forced to follow Philip wherever he went. In October 1505, they were in Brussels. But after that, Charles was able to escape and start the war again. Philip was not in a good position to make good his claims yet, because by this time he needed to depart to Spain to claim the Castilian throne.[28][29]
At the same time, while he often carefully avoided direct confrontation with the French king, in promoting his Great Council, he slowly eroded the capacity of intervention of theParlement of Paris in Flanders and Artois, lands under the sovereignty of France. This process would be completed by Charles V in 1521. In August 1505, this resulted in written protests from KingLouis XII of France, who accused him of usurpation of the rights of the sovereign and threatened Philip with sanctions. To this, Maximilian, who at this time was with Philip after returning from Gelderland, angrily sent threats and stated that he would defend his son. Philip reacted in a concilliatory manner, stating that he had consulted Maximilian and did not mean to offend Louis.[30]
Philip (and later his son Charles V) joined his father in patronising thedevotion of the Seven Sorrows that associated his own mother Mary of Burgundy, who had died young and been idealised in vernacular literature, with the Virgin Mary.[31] The devotion, with its strong current ofpatriotism and Burgundiannostalgia, successfully helped to rally loyalty to the ruling family in the turbulence after Mary's death. The same devotion was later used to promote dynastic and territorial unity.[32]
He visited Germany several times:
The marriage was one of a set of family alliances between theHabsburgs and theTrastámaras, designed to strengthen the two dynasties against growing French power, which had increased significantly thanks to the policies ofLouis XI and the successful assertion of regal power after the war with theLeague of the Public Weal. The matter became more urgent afterCharles VIII's invasion of Italy (known as theFirst Peninsular War). This was a matter of compromise for Philip. While assuring his pro-French advisors that he would maintain peaceful policies towards France, the marriage pleased Maximilian while allowing a partial, prudent emergence from France's shadow. Although, Philip did put efforts in safeguarding the 1493Treaty of Senlis. His independent tendency frustrated both Maximilian and his new parents-in-law.[37]
On 20 October 1496, he marriedJoanna, daughter of KingFerdinand II of Aragon and QueenIsabella I of Castile, inLier, Belgium.[38]
Philip's sisterMargaret marriedJohn, Prince of Asturias, the only son of Ferdinand and Isabella and heir apparent to the unified crowns ofCastile andAragon.[39] The double alliance was never intended to let the Spanish kingdoms fall under Habsburg control. At the time of her marriage to Philip, Joanna was third in line to the throne, with John and their sisterIsabella married and hopeful of progeny.[citation needed]
In 1500, shortly after the birth of Joanna and Philip's second child (the futureEmperor Charles V), in Flanders, the succession to the Castilian and Aragonese crowns was thrown into turmoil. Theheir apparent, John, had died in 1497 very shortly after his marriage to Margaret of Austria. The crown thereby seemed destined to devolve upon his and Joanna's elder sisterIsabella, wife ofManuel I of Portugal. She died in 1498, while giving birth to a son namedMiguel da Paz, to whom succession to the united crowns of Castile, Aragon and Portugal now fell; however, the infant was sickly and died during the summer of 1500.[citation needed]
The succession to the Castilian and Aragonese crowns now fell to Joanna. Because Ferdinand could produce another heir, theCortes of Aragon refused to recognize Joanna as heir presumptive to the Kingdom of Aragon. In the Kingdom of Castile, however, the succession was clear. Moreover, there was noSalic tradition that the Castilian Cortes could use to thwart the succession passing to Joanna. At this point, the issue of Joanna's supposed mental incompetence moved from courtly annoyance to the center of the political stage, since it was clear that Philip and his Burgundian entourage would be the real power-holders in Castile.[citation needed]
In 1502, Philip, Joanna, and a large part of the Burgundian court traveled to Spain to receive fealty from theCortes ofCastile as heirs, a journey chronicled in intense detail byAntoon I van Lalaing (French:Antoine de Lalaing), the futureStadtholder of Holland and Zeeland. Philip and the majority of the court returned to the Low Countries in the following year, leaving a pregnant Joanna behind in Madrid, where she gave birth toFerdinand, later Holy Roman Emperor.[citation needed]
Although Joanna was deeply in love with Philip, their married life was rendered extremely unhappy by his infidelity and political insecurity, during which time he constantly attempted to usurp her legal birthright of power. This led in great part to the rumours of her insanity from reports ofdepressive orneurotic acts committed while she was being imprisoned or coerced by her husband, rumors that benefited Philip politically. Most historians now agree she was merely clinically depressed at the time, not insane as commonly believed. Before her mother's death, in 1504, husband and wife were already living apart.[citation needed]
In 1504, Philip's mother-in-law, Queen Isabella of Castile, died, leaving theCrown of Castile to Joanna. Isabella I's widower and former co-monarch, King Ferdinand II, endeavored to lay hands on the regency of Castile, but the nobles, who disliked and feared him, forced him to withdraw. Philip was summoned to Spain, where he was recognized as king.
However, en route to Spain in January 1506, Philip and Joanna were caught in a storm and shipwrecked off theDorset coast, forcing them on the shore nearMelcombe Regis. The nearest important gentleman in the locality was Sir Thomas Trenchard, seated atWolfeton House, who gave shelter and entertainment to the royal couple. The future ministerJohn Russell attended the couple on this occasion, after which Philip recommended him to Henry VII.[40]Having been conducted to the palace of KingHenry VII by Russell, the couple stayed as the king's guests but were in fact hostages for the duration of their stay. To get released Philip was forced to sign a treaty with Henry VII—the so-calledMalus Intercursus—which included a mutual defense pact, the extradition of rebels, including the Earl of Suffolk,Edmund de la Pole, who as an exile was a guest of Philip in the Low Countries, and a trade agreement which allowed English merchants to import clothduty-free into theLow Countries. After handing over Edmund, Philip and Joanna were allowed to leave England after a stay of six weeks.[41]
Philip and Joanna landed atCorunna on 28 April 1506, accompanied by a body of German mercenaries. Father- and son-in-law mediated underCardinal Cisneros atRemesal, nearPuebla de Sanabria, and atRenedo, the only result of which was an indecent family quarrel, in which Ferdinand professed to defend the interests of his daughter, who he said was imprisoned by her husband. In meetings between 20 and 27 June, mediated by Cardinal Cisneros, the senior churchman in Spain, Ferdinand accepted that his 'most beloved children' (Joanna and Philip) should take over control of Castile.[42]
The two kings then agreed that Joanna was neither fit nor inclined to rule 'considering her infirmities and sufferings, which for the sake of honour are not expressed' and further that if 'the said most serene Queen, either from her own choice or from being persuaded by other persons should attempt to meddle in the government both would prevent it'. It suited both her father and her husband that she be regarded as incapable.
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On 27 June 1506, theTreaty of Villafáfila was signed between Ferdinand and Philip, with Philip being proclaimed King of Castile by theCortes of Valladolid. Yet on the same day Ferdinand drew up secret documents repudiating all the agreements on the grounds of coercion, claiming that he would never otherwise have signed treaties that did 'such enormous damage to the said most serene Queen, my daughter, and me'. Having left his options for the future open, he departed for Aragon.[43] Philip appointed García Laso de la Vega (diplomat and commander, Comendador Mayor de Léon under the Catholic Monarch, died 1512) as President of the Royal Council.[44]
Even before leaving the Low Countries, Philip had ordered the total suspension ofSpanish Inquisition activities. When he arrived in Spain, he proposed to the Cortes that the Inquisitor General should be deposed and the Council of Inquisition should be dissolved. His early death prevented the plan from materializing, but Ferdinand later reacted to this by splitting the Holy Tribunal, thus Castile and Aragon would each possess their own Inquisition organization.[45] The 4,000landsknechte who followed him to Spain presumably helped to overcome the last opposition to the military reform started by Gonzalo de Cordoba and Gonzalo de Ayora.[46]
As Duke of Burgundy and King of Castile, Philip expanded theHabsburg postal system established by his father. In 1500, the centre of the system was transferred to Brussels by Franz von Taxis, whom Philip made his postmaster-general.[47][48] Shortly after becoming King of Castile, as he realized that his bureaucrats were unable to govern the postal system, he made an agreement (later renewed by Charles of Burgundy) with the Taxis that allowed them to operate unhampered by interference from the state, as long as they maintained standards in accordance with the Habsburgs' interests. Behringer notes that, "The terminology of the early modern communications system and the legal status of its participants were invented at these negotiations."[49] On 18 January 1505 Philip unified communication between Germany, the Netherlands, France and Spain by adding stations inGranada,Toledo,Blois, Paris andLyon.[50]
His arrival introduced the Burgundian household model into Spain, but his early death forced it to wait until Charles V's reign to become a firmly-established element of the Spanish court.[51][52]
After one month in La Coruña, he returned to Burgos and set about to appoint his men to strategic fortresses, the Royal Council as well as financial offices. He granted the Castle of Segovia and some other important fortresses to Don Juan Manuel (who was ironically Ferdinand's former servant, and had become Philip's favourite after the archbishop of Besançon died.[53][54]
He ran into financial troubles as parts of his army remained unpaid and he granted generous financial conditions to Ferdinand to hasten his departure.[55]
Cauchies writes that, in Spain, Philip found himself in the same situation his father had been during his Burgundian days. Until this day, he has been accused of being a foreign, spendthrift prince, a mere transitional monarch who was supported by bad advisors who disregarded the interests of the country. Philip would not live to see a better day like his father had, though.[56]
Philip was an important patron ofHieronymus Bosch. In 1504, he commissioned Bosch to paint a large triptych of The Last Judgement. The work cannot be found now, but likely had some relation to thesmaller triptych of the same subject in Vienna (painted by the same artist), as the face of the saint on the right outer wing seems to be that of Philip.[58]
Philip's chapel had some of the most distinguished musicians in Europe:Henry Bredemers,Pierre de La Rue,Alexander Agricola,Marbrianus de Orto andAntoine Divitis.Josquin Desprez sometimes composed for him as well. The contemporary Venetian ambassador wrote home: "Three things [here] are of the highest excellence: silk ..., tapestry ..., [and] music, which certainly can be said to be perfect."[59] Perhaps influenced by Maximilian, Philip actively supported instrumental music. There seemed to be a lend-lease arrangement of some kind between the courts of father and son, as the trombonist Augustine Schubinger worked for both Maximilian and Philip. Other outstanding wind players supported by Philip included Hans Nageland Jan Van den Winckel.[60]
Philip realized the potential of the printing industry regarding its ability to disseminate information, but when it came to private taste, he had an aversion towards printed books and preferred manuscripts, especially musical manuscripts, which became popular diplomatic gifts under his reign. The chief musical scribe was the priest Martin Bourgeois. The court also employed other scribes and calligraphers. The grandees of the realm also adopted the taste of their sovereign.[61][62][63][64]
His patronage of manuscripts though could not compare with that of his ancestorsPhilip the Bold andPhilip the Good, as he died young and manuscript production had declined overall by the end of the fifteenth century. One manuscript produced for him, a world chronicle by Johannes de Vico from Douai (Cod. 325,Österreichische Nationalbibliothek in Vienna, 660 × 430mm), is unrivalled in comparison with his predecessor's manuscripts though. The layout and content display many unique features. The heraldic program on fol.17v seems to correspond to the situation of the 1498 Treaty of Paris, when Philip sided with the French king and the papacy against his father (who is referred to as emperor in the lineage of Holy Roman Emperors and the inscription that introduces the commissioner, but otherwise appears not in his own right but as the consort of Mary of Burgundy and guardian of Philip;Frederick III, Philip's paternal grandfather, on the other hand, is given a lengthy section; also the book does not mention Philip's Burgundian ancestors or KingLouis IX of France, who frequently features in French universal chronicles of the fifteenth century).[65]
Philip was a patron toDesiderius Erasmus, who praised him for making peace with France and advised him that after God, a prince's duty was owed first topatria (the nation) and not topater (father, in this case Maximilian).[66]
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However, Philip died suddenly atBurgos, apparently oftyphoid fever,[68] on 25 September 1506, although a poisoning (assassination) was widely spoken of at the time,[69] and is what his wife believed to be the cause of Philip's death. His wife supposedly refused to allow his body to be buried or part from it for a while. Philip I is entombed at theRoyal Chapel of Granada (Capilla Real de Granada), alongside his wife, and her parents Isabella I and Ferdinand II. Cauchies even proposes plague as a possible cause of death, as at this point Philip seemed to be exhausted, having overworked himself (the workload was so enormous that despite being a passionate hunter all his life, Philip was unable to exercise this hobby for just once, as he wrote to his father in July 1506) and there were known incidents of plague in the environment. Philip had shown a level of prudence about the food served to him: a letter of the experienced German commanderWolfgang von Fürstenberg (who commanded the Landsknechte and was attached to Philip's entourage by Maximilian) to Maximilian shows that inA Coruña, Philip ate only at Fürstenberg's table because he distrusted other sources of food. Nevertheless, Maximilian unhesitatingly and openly blamed Louis XII for his beloved son's death in front of the Imperial Diet.[70]
In the aftermath, a delegation of the States General of the Netherlands was sent to Austria to offer the regency to Maximilian. The depressed emperor tried to evade them to their surprise. In 1507, he finally received them and decided that Philip's sister,Margaret of Austria, would become the governor. In April 1517, the States General welcomed the appointment of another native of the Netherlands.[71]
In Spain, hearing about Philip's death. the opponents of the Inquisition made a move. The marquis of Priego attacked the Inquisition's prison and liberated its prisoners. Theprocurator was arrested. Diego Rodríguez Lucero, the inquisitor of Cordoba, managed to flee. "The canons, the municipality and the nobility—the marquis of Priego and the count of Cabra—all denounced the excesses, corruption and abuses of the inquisitor". This later caused Ferdinand to declare Grand Inquisitor Deza to be responsible. Deza was forced to resign and was replaced with Cardinal Cisneros, who arrested Lucero in 1508.[72]
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His good looks earned him the nickname "the Handsome" or "the Fair".[75]
Many contemporaries noticed Philip's physical attractiveness.Vincenzo Querini, the Venetian ambassador, described Philip as "physically beautiful, vigorous and rich" (bello di corpo, gagliardo e prospero).Peter Martyr d'Anghiera andLorenzo de Padilla also noted his good looks.[76][77] WhenLouis XII of France saw him, the king said, "What a handsome prince!" (Que voilà un beau prince)."[78]
He was a slim sportsman who liked to dress in a sumptuous style and knew how to impress women. His skills in knightly exercises and the hunt was such that even as a youth, he acted as teacher of the princes sent to his court.[79]
Joan-Lluis Palos suggests that the epithet might come also from his riding style and his behaviours as a sportsman. When he visited Castile in 1502, he astonished his hosts when he displayed his riding skills by leaping from one horse to another. He also admired a Spanish riding style (inspired by the Muslims), called "à la jineta", with bent knees and short stirrups. He learned this from Rámon of Cardona, Master of King Ferdinand's stable, in a matter of days. According toLorenzo de Padilla [es], he "played all sports as a pastime, and was fonder of la pelota [handball] than any other." He also appeared to prefer the luxurious "Moorish" dressing style to the Spanish one.[80]A 1611 dictionary explains thus:
jinete [rider] might come fromcinete, which isCinetum in Arabic, and means ornament, from the wordceyene, to beautify or make beautiful ["hermosear o ser hermoso"], from the gallantry of riders when they rally to festivities with their turbans and feathers, fitted Moorish dresses and boots and the harnesses of their rich horses.
Philip also had the nickname "Croit-Conseil" (Believer of Counsel or Believer of Council), chosen for him byOlivier de La Marche. This nickname has sometimes been interpreted as portraying a malleable prince who allowed his advisors to control the country.[81][82] According to Catherine Emerson, attending toconseil is actually a cardinal virtue of a prince, which La March attributed to bothPhilip the Good and his great-grandson.[83] Anna Margarete Schlegelmilch also writes that the nickname is not derogative in any way. Both La March and other contemporaries likeJean Molinet thought that it was a good sign when a young ruler was open to the words of prudent and wise advisors. It corresponds to the ruling style of a prince who, out of the desire to attain peace and economic recovery for a country that had recently experienced too much turbulence, tried to balance his government between the rights of the prince, the nobles and the provinces, gave his Estates a say in the matters of war and peace, and relied upon confidants whose families had served his ancestors for generations (theconseil ducal had 14 members, includingEngelbert II of Nassau,William de Croÿ,John III of Bergen).[84]
Philip was a figure often eclipsed in history books by his parents, Mary and Maximilian, partly also by his tragic wife Joanna I, and even more so by his son, Charles V. In his 2003 biographyPhilippe le Beau: le dernier duc de Bourgogne (Philip the Handsome: the last Duke of Burgundy), Belgian historianJean-Marie Cauchies writes that Philip, who died young, still at the beginning of his political ascendancy, was not yet an aspirant foruniversal monarchy like his son later, but remained above all the heir and continuator of the dukes of Burgundy. Surrounded by ambitious ministers with very divergent views, facing his father (the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire), his parents-in-law (the Catholic monarchs), and the king of France, his choices as a leader presented him as the "enfant terrible" of international European politics. According to Cauchies, he was not a "great man", or had not lived long enough to show himself as such. He had not shown the stature or the creativity of his father, and could not claim the scope that Charles V reached either. But he personified the prince of peace and concord, the promise of better days, and his education, his manners, his court displayed the essence of Burgundian culture.[86]
Belgian historian Jonathan Dumont, while reviewingLe Royaume inachevé des ducs de Bourgogne (XIVe–XVe siècles) (translated into English asThe Illusion of the Burgundian State) Élodie Lecuppre-Desjardin, notes that historiography dealing with the Burgundian state building project should not end withCharles the Bold, as attempts to build a monarchical and state-ideal became particularly visible under Philip the Handsome and extended into the early years ofCharles of Habsburg. If there was a rupture, it happened only with the1519 imperial election.[87]
James Kennedy notes that by most accounts, Philip was "an ideal prince, well acquainted with and well disposed toward the Low Countries."[88]
German historíanKlaus Oschema argues that the Burgundian-Habsburg alliance's situation in the West, and especially their ascension in Spain, was far from being guaranteed in the beginning. It was the work of Philip and his sister Margaret that made their father's expansion strategy in the West possible and paved the way for the Habsburgs' ultimate success.[89]
Some criticize him for being asadist in private life though, regarding his treatment of Joanna, that he "held Juana in a vicious cycle of affection, abuse, and intimidation from which she was constitutionally unable to escape."[90][91] He had a loving relationship with Margaret, who had been separated from him for a long time though. When they said goodbye to each other in 1497, Margaret told her brother these prophetic words, with a taste ofgallows humour, "Don't make me cry, I will need to swallow enough salt water."[92]
At the beginning of their marriage, Philip had genuine affection for Joanna. But his education, which was influenced by Franco-Burgundian traditions, contributed to a model of rulership "exclusively male", thus he never saw Joanna as his political equal and could not accept that she tried to forge her own political identity. Maximilian tried to reconcile the couple, telling Philip that he could only succeed as a ruler if husband and wife acted as "una cosa medesima" (one and the same), but despite Philip's efforts, Joanna would not cooperate in his power struggle against her own father. In the end, his controlling and manipulative behaviours, together with Ferdinand's ambitions and Joanna's depression, ruined the marriage and led to Joanna's personal tragedies.[105] Philip andJoanna of Castile had:
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Notes:
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27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506: TitularDuke of Burgundy asPhilip IV
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Duke of Brabant asPhilip III
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Duke of Limburg asPhilip III
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Duke of Lothier asPhilip III
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Duke of Luxemburg asPhilip II
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Margrave of Namur asPhilip V
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Count Palatine of Burgundy asPhilip VI
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Count of Artois asPhilip VI
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Count of Charolais asPhilip III
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Count of Flanders asPhilip IV
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Count of Hainaut asPhilip II
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Count of Holland asPhilip II
27 March 1482 – 25 September 1506:Count of Zeeland asPhilip II
27 March 1482 – 1492:Duke of Guelders asPhilip I
27 March 1482 – 1492:Count of Zutphen asPhilip I
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help){{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
Philip the Handsome Born: 22 February 1478 Died: 25 September 1506 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byas sole monarch | King of Castile andLeón 1506 withJoanna I | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Duke ofBrabant,Limburg,Lothier andLuxemburg, Margrave ofNamur, Count ofFlanders,Hainaut,Holland andZeeland 1482–1506 | Succeeded by |
| Duke of Guelders; Count of Zutphen 1482–1492 | Succeeded by | |
| Preceded byas effective ruler | Count ofArtois,Burgundy andCharolais 1493-1506 | Succeeded by |
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| Suebian kings |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Astur-Leonese dynasty | ||
| House of Jiménez | ||
| House of Burgundy | ||
| Portuguese House of Burgundy | ||
| House of Lancaster | ||
| House of Trastámara | ||
| House of Habsburg | ||
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