Birth of Philip III
Son of King Philip II of Spain and his fourth wife and niece Anna, the daughter of the Emperor Maximilian II and Maria of Spain. Birth of Philip III, son of Philip II
Role range: 1598-1621
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Philip III Biography and Timeline
Follow Philip III through 43 dated historical records for Spain.
Philip III, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
43Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1578–1617Years on this page
1578
1598
Succession
Succeeds as King of Spain, leaves direction of his Government to the Duke of Lerma
Role range: 1598-1621
Succession
Philip III places his affairs entirely in the hands of a favourite, Francisco Gomez de Sandoval y Rojas, marques de Denia, later the Duke of Lerma
Role range: 1598-1621
1599
Bubonic Plague
The result of the bubonic plague is an economically weakened Spain with a rapidly falling population. From 15991600 and for several years afterwards there is a terrible outbreak of bubonic plague across Spain, killing over 10% of the population
Role range: 1598-1621
Economy of Spain
The result of the bubonic plague is an economically weakened Spain with a rapidly falling population
Role range: 1598-1621
Marriage
Philip III marries his cousin, Margaret of Austria
Role range: 1598-1621
1600
Battle of Nieuwpoort
The Battle of Nieuwpoort succeeds in the strategic goal to repel the Dutch invasion of Flanders
Role range: 15681648 – 1598-1621
1602
Battle of Kinsale
After the failure of the Spanish invasion of Ireland, leading to the defeat at the Battle of Kinsale, Philip accepts that further attacks on England are unlikely to succeed
Role range: 1598-1621
Invasion of England
After the failure of the Spanish invasion of Ireland, leading to the defeat at the Battle of Kinsale, Philip accepts that further attacks on England are unlikely to succeed
Role range: 1598-1621
1603
Economy of Spain
Philips attempts to issue a new currency, in particular the issues of the copper velon coinage in 1603-4 leads to economic instability
Role range: 1598-1621
1604
Dutch Revolt Settlement
Obtains an English commitment to end official military and financial support for the Dutch rebellion.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1598-1621
Port Access Agreement
Gains reciprocal access for Spanish ships to English ports for shelter, supplies and repairs under treaty rules.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1598-1621
Recognition of English Monarchy
Accepts James I's Protestant monarchy and abandons wartime hopes of imposing a Catholic settlement on England.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1598-1621
Spanish Shipping Protection
Secures an end to English wartime attacks that had disrupted Spanish Atlantic shipping and colonial commerce.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1598-1621
Status Quo Peace
Accepts a negotiated settlement that largely restores relations without a decisive territorial victory for either crown.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1598-1621
Treaty of London
Accepts peace with James I, ending open war while England ends wartime attacks on Spanish shipping and support for the Dutch revolt.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1598-1621
Recognition of English Monarchy
Accepts peace with the Protestant English monarchy and abandons wartime efforts to restore Catholic rule in England.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1598-1621
Capture of Ostend
Ambrogio Spinola, who had succeeded Archduke Albert as commander in the field, eventually captures Ostend, but only at the price of accepting the loss of Sluis
Role range: 15681648 – 1598-1621
Siege of Ostend
Ambrogio Spinola, who had succeeded Archduke Albert as commander in the field, eventually captures Ostend, but only at the price of accepting the loss of Sluis
Role range: 15681648 – 1598-1621
Treaty Ratification
Ratifies the peace settlement negotiated with James I and the English government.
Role range: 1585-1604 – 1598-1621
Siege of Ostend
The lengthy Siege of Ostend (1601-1604) demonstrates the balance of power, both sides pour enormous resources into the besieging or defending a town that is reduced to rubble
Role range: 15681648 – 1598-1621
1607
Ceasefire
The United Provinces and the Habsburg Netherlands agree to a ceasefire, valid for eight months and taking effect on 4 May
Role range: 1567-1648 – 1598-1621
Truce
The United Provinces and the Habsburg Netherlands agree to a ceasefire, valid for eight months and taking effect on 4 May
Role range: 1567-1648 – 1598-1621
Economy of Spain
The crowns attempt to resolve bankruptcy by converting the asiento tax system high interest loans owed to tax farmers into longer term juros bonds paying a much lower interest, produced a short term benefit, but at the price of losing financial flexibility during future crises. The costs of the Dutch campaign results in Philips bankruptcy in 1607
Role range: 1598-1621
1608
Peace Conference
The peace conference opens in The Hague
Role range: 1567-1648 – 1598-1621
1609
Twelve Years Truce
A truce with the Dutch is agreed
Role range: 15681648 – 1598-1621
Peace Treaty
The Habsburgs agree to treat the United Provinces like an independent state for the duration of the Truce. Philip III ratifies the Peace Treaty. All hostilities will cease for twelve years
Role range: 1567-1648 – 1598-1621
Rule of United Provinces
The Habsburgs agree to treat the United Provinces like an independent state for the duration of the Truce
Role range: 1567-1648 – 1598-1621
Exile of Philip III
Decrees the final expulsion of the Moriscos
Role range: 1598-1621
Independence of Netherlands
Recognizes the Independence of the northern provinces of The Netherlands
Role range: 1598-1621
Independence of Spain
Recognizes the Independence of the northern provinces of The Netherlands
Role range: 1598-1621
Moriscos
Issues a decree for the expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain, timed to coincide with the declaration of a truce in the war for The Netherlands
Role range: 1598-1621
Moriscos
The Moriscos are accused of collaborating with the Barbary Pirates to attack the coast, whilst their religion and distinct culture make them unpopular with Christians in Spain, especially in Valencia.
Role range: 1598-1621
Moriscos
The Moriscos are forced out of Spain between 1609 and 1614, to accomplish this, the armada, or navy, and 30,000 soldiers are mobilized with the mission of transporting the families to Tunis or Morocco.
Role range: 1598-1621
Moriscos
The Moriscos were the descendants of those Muslims that had converted to Christianity during the Reconquista of the previous centuries; despite their conversion, they retained a distinctive culture, including many Islamic practices.
Role range: 1598-1621
Moriscos
The Moriscos were the descendants of those Muslims that had converted to Christianity during the Reconquista of the previous centuries; despite their conversion, they retained a distinctive culture, including many Islamic practices
Role range: 1598-1621
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with It
The truce enables the Southern Netherlands to recover, it is a de facto recognition of the independence of the Dutch Republic and many European powers establish diplomatic relations with it
Role range: 15681648 – 1598-1621
Rule of Dutch Republic
The truce enables the Southern Netherlands to recover, it is a de facto recognition of the independence of the Dutch Republic and many European powers establish diplomatic relations with it
Role range: 15681648 – 1598-1621
Twelve Years Truce
The truce enables the Southern Netherlands to recover, it is a de facto recognition of the independence of the Dutch Republic and many European powers establish diplomatic relations with it
Role range: 15681648 – 1598-1621
1617
Election
Under the Onate Treaty Ferdinand makes a successful appeal to Philips self-interest by promising Spain the Habsburg lands in Alsace in return for Spanish support for his election
Role range: 1567-1648 – 1598-1621
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.