Philip, at that time Europe’s most powerful ruler, had tried to keep England Catholic by asking Elizabeth to marry him when she became queen, but she had turned down his offer.
Felipe II, tollase Euroopa kõige võimsam valitseja, oli püüdnud Inglismaad katoliku kiriku rüpes hoida, paludes Elizabethi kätt, kui viimane kuningannaks krooniti. Ent Elizabeth oli andnud talle korvi.