The Hidden Story of Philip II's Obsession with Work: The King Who Labored 16 Hours a Day
Philip II, the monarch who transformed the fate of Spain and Europe during the 16th century, is known not only for his power but also for his unwavering dedication to work. It is said that this king spent up to 16 hours a day in his office, immersed in the complex bureaucracy that governed his vast empire. But what motivated Philip II's devotion to work? Was it a sense of responsibility or a deep obsession with control? Join us in this exploration of the greatness and decline of a king who became lost among papers and politics.
The Working King: Philip II's Obsession with Work
From the moment he ascended to the throne in 1556, Philip II became the epitome of the working monarch. Unlike his contemporaries, who led a more carefree lifestyle, Philip II immersed himself in matters of state and public administration. According to the chronicler Antonio Pérez, the king would sit down to work at six in the morning and continue until midnight, reviewing documents, making decisions, and consulting with his secretaries. His palace in El Escorial, designed as a symbol of his power, also became his personal prison, a labyrinth of papers and bureaucracy that kept him captive.
This extreme dedication to work was both a blessing and a curse. While his meticulous approach allowed him to manage a vast empire that spanned from the Americas to the Philippines, it also led him to a state of isolation and distrust. Philip II viewed every matter as a question of life or death, convinced that the fate of his kingdom depended on his decisions. This perception led some to consider him a ruthless monarch, while others saw him as an exemplary king.