Philip II Habsburg King

02.12.16 / News / Author: Martin
Tags: turkish history

But other countries, engaged in its long internal problems, they ignore the call. Only Pope Pius V (1504 -1572), who shares their concern for the Muslim advance, responds, however, the Vatican does not have sufficient military forces, so that the same Pope begins talks with Philip II Habsburg King of Spain, who agreed to lend his support as it follows from falling Venice, Italy and North possessions would be in serious danger. The work of joining the combined forces is difficult but the navies of Venice, the Order of Malta, Popes States and Spain, she collected a total of 200 galleys, 100 ships, 50,000 infantry and 4,500 cavalry. The , however, different views of each other would generate a long series of disagreements. As soon as the planning of the offensive began, there were private interests. Venice quickly tried to form an expedition to recover Cyprus (commercial port of your property), while Philip II of Spain wanted a long-term alliance that dominated the Mediterranean for expeditions against the pirates of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli.

Pius V, trying to mediate between such different appetites, both sides managed to agree (unlimited duration thereof, the offensive will serve the purposes of Spain and Venice, the costs are shared among all, and neither party may make decisions by itself). In February 1571, was finally signed by the Covenants which would then be called on, the Holy League. This union, whose military command (because the general would be given to the Pope) would be given to Don Juan de Austria (1545-1578), illegitimate brother of King Philip II, who choose the port of Messina (Sicily, Italy) as a meeting of the teams.