An accessible biography for A level History students that concentrates on the issues that come up time and time again in the AS and A2 exams.; Why historians differ -- an introduction to interpretations and historiography; A brief biography, including a timeline and an 'Understanding Philip II' box; Issue 1: Cruel tyrant or 'paper king'?; Issue 2: Did he strengthen the the Catholic Church?; Issue 3: Was his foreign policy a 'Grand Strategy' or crisis management?; Philip II: an assessment; Further reading; Index