King Philip ll of Spain, also known as Philip the Prudent (felipe el prudente), was born on May 21, 1527. He was born in Valladolid. He ruled one of the world's largest empires. His reign as Spain's king began in the Golden Age, a period of great cultural growth in literature, music and the visual arts. In 1554 Philip married Mary. He was also the King of England through his marriage to Queen Mary for four years. The Philippines, a former Spanish colony, are named after him. Philip was eager to begin the crusade in favor of Catholicism, but he was obliged to postpone it, owing to a league which had been formed between France, the Pope, and the Sultan, to deprive him of his Italian dominions.