ABSTRACT
In The Grand Strategy of Philip II, Geoffrey Parker writes that soon after learning of the murder, Philip II at once subordinated everything 'to the cause of religion' and set aside his earlier reluctance to become involved in a war with France. Just as a providentialist mindset failed to deter Jean Bodin from speculating on the French succession, Philip II's messianic outlook did not preclude him from placing dynasticism at the forefront of grand strategy in France. Yet Parker is careful to avoid reducing all of Spanish foreign policy to purely messianic ends: Messianic imperialism seldom lasts long, however. The Spanish ministers both in Paris and Rome were reticent to raise these pretensions. The Duke of Feria, a Spanish grandee, was now selected to act as Philip's special representative before the Estates-General. His chief objective was to secure the recognition of Isabella as the proprietary queen of France.
