PHILIP THE HANDSOME

(1478–1506)

Prince of the Netherlands; son of Mary of Burgundy and Maximilian I of Habsburg. In 1496, Philip married Isabella of Castile and Aragon (Spain), and in 1506, he was crowned king of Castile not long before he died. His father became regent of the Netherlands on behalf of Philip’s son Charles V, the future emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, prince of the Netherlands, and king of Spain and its many overseas colonies. Philip’s short reign was influential for the unification of the territo ries in the Low Countries.