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 CHAPTER XIX THE ERA OF THE COUNTER-REFORMATION During the reign of Philip n. the power of Spain was at its height. With the abdication of Charles v. it was separated from the empire; though not from Burgundy, including the Netherlands. But it had the supreme power in Italy ; it held possession of the New World ; and Philip, during his reign, annexed for himself the Crown of The Spanish Portugal, and with it air the Portuguese posses- Dominion, sions. The Spanish fleets and ships were the largest in the world; the Spanish soldiers had the highest reputation ; and for a time at least Spanish armies were com- manded by a military genius of the first rank, the Duke of Parma. The defect of the great empire lay in the scattered character of its possessions. Spanish troops could reach the Netherlands or Italy only by sea j France interposed by land. The empire was not homogeneous ; it comprised in Europe three entirely distinct and antagonistic nationalities, one of which detested, while another did not love, the supremacy of Spain. Spanish dominion depended on the mastery of the sea, and during the reign that mastery was challenged both by England and by Philip's own revolting subjects in the Netherlands. Philip regarded himself as the champion of the Church and the scourge of heresy. To stamp out heresy was his mission. The great engine of persecution was the Philip II. . • • r i T • • • i • * ecclesiastical court of the Inquisition, which was established throughout his dominion ; and he entirely declined to limit its operations. Vast as were his resources his government