Notwithstanding the advantages I have enjoyed for the composition of this work, and especially those derived from the possession of new and original materials, I am fully sensible that I am far from having done justice to a subject so vast in its extent and so complicated in its relations. It is not necessary to urge in my defence any physical embarrassments under which I labor; since that will hardly be an excuse for not doing well what it was not necessary to do at all. But I may be permitted to say, that what I have done has been the result of careful preparation; that I have endeavored to write in a spirit of candor and good faith; and that, whatever may be the deficiencies of my work, it can hardly fail--considering the advantages I have enjoyed over my predecessors--to present the reader with such new and authentic statements of facts as may afford him a better point of view than that which he has hitherto possessed for surveying the history of Philip the Second. BOSTON, _July, 1855_ CONTENTS. Book I. CHAPTER I. ABDICATION OF CHARLES THE FIFTH. PAGE Introductory Remarks--Spain under Charles the Fifth--He prepares to resign the Crown--His Abdication--His Return to Spain--His Journey to Yuste 1 CHAPTER II. EARLY DAYS OF PHILIP. Birth of Philip the Second--His Education--Intrusted with the Regency--Marries Mary of Portugal--Visit to Flanders--Public Festivities--Ambitious Schemes--Returns to Spain 11 CHAPTER III. ENGLISH ALLIANCE. Condition of England--Character of Mary--Philip's Proposals of Marriage--Marriage Articles--Insurrection in England 30 CHAPTER IV. ENGLISH ALLIANCE. Mary's Betrothal--Joanna Regent of Castile--Philip embarks for England--His splendid Reception--Marriage of Philip and Mary--Royal Entertainments--Philip's Influence--The Catholic Church restored--Philip's Departure 43 CHAPTER V. WAR WITH THE POPE. Empire of Philip--Paul the Fourth--Court of France--League against Spain--The Duke of Alva--Preparations for War--Victorious Campaign 59 CHAPTER VI. WAR WITH THE POPE. Guise enters Italy--Operations in the Abruzz--Siege of Civitella--Alva drives out the French--Rome menaced by the Spaniards--Paul consents to Peace--Paul's Subsequent Career 73 CHAPTER VII. WAR WITH FRANCE. England joins in the War--Philip's Preparations--Siege of St. Quentin--French Army routed--Storming of St. Quentin--Successes of the Spaniards 85 CHAPTER VIII. WAR WITH FRANCE. Extraordinary Efforts of France--Calais surprised by Guise--The French invade Flanders--Bloody Battle of Gravelines--Negotiations for Peace--Mary's Death--Accession of Elizabeth--Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis 102 CHAPTER IX. LATTER DAYS OF CHARLES THE FIFTH.