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In 1580, Philip II
is at the height of his power. The first monarch in history to
rule over a united peninsula, he can now rightfully title himself
king of Spain. In medieval times, the term "Spain"
or "the Spains" had been applied loosely to the sum
of states within the whole peninsula, including Portugal, Castile,
Aragon, Navarre, and Granada. From now on, that loose concept
is a political reality. The universal monarchy has indeed arrived,
for Philip II rules over the most extensive empire the world
has ever known. But Spain is not only the world's preeminent
military power. Music, art, literature, theater, dress and manners
are admired and imitated; they set a standard by which the rest
of Europe measures its culture. However, some European nations
are intent on stopping all that splendor: England is hungry for
glory, France has quite a few outrages to settle, the Low Contries
cry for liberty, Italy grows weary of interferences... No doubt
these are serious problems, but the biggest concern for Philip
II is the Turkish menace on the Mediterranean Sea. Europe is
set for a series of conflicts that could change the face of the
world for ever. Choose your side and fight for a place in history! |
