Painting Philip II as a Catholic bin Laden may be politically correct, but overstretching the canvas causes rips in its accuracy. To say that he “disliked the company of women and viewed them as tools at best” goes against the evidence. He may not have been enamored of all his queens, but his deep love for Elisabeth of Valois plunged him into melancholy at her death. He was also very fond of her daughters, especially Isabella Clara Eugenia, whose wisdom he greatly admired. And in what way did Philip “destroy his own family"? His policies and religious stubbornness and intransigence are indefensible. Why attribute to him more vices?