21 May 1527 - The Birth of Philip II of Spain“As is often the case with a first child, the emp

21 May 1527 - The Birth of Philip II of Spain

“As is often the case with a first child, the empress was in labour for many hours. She asked for a veil to be placed over her face, so that no one would see her agony; and when a midwife urged her to give full vent to her feelings the empress replied sternly: ‘I would rather die. Don’t talk to me like that: I may die, but I will not cry out.’ Philip entered the world around 4 p.m. on 21 May 1527. Many Spaniards had expected the prince to receive one of the traditional names of the peninsular dynasties, such as Fernando or Juan, but Charles insisted on calling his firstborn after his own father, and so at the baptism ceremony two weeks later the royal heralds shouted three times: ‘Philip, by the grace of God prince of Spain!’”

Geoffrey Parker, Imprudent King: A New Life of Philip II

El Rey.

Amados y fieles nuestros: A Nuestro Señor ha placido alumbrar a la serenísima Emperatriz, nuestra muy cara y amada muger, con un hijo, que parió a los XXI del presente. La qual, aunque ha pasado harto trabajo, queda ya, loores a Dios, muy buena. Plegará a la divina bondad que deste fructo que ha sido servido de darnos, succederá mucho servicio suyo, establecimiento de beneficio público y reposo de nuestros Reinos y señoríos.

Avisámosvos dello por vuestro contentanmiento y para que deis gracias a Dios por tanto beneficio.

Data en Valladolid a XXIII de Mayo de MDXXVII.

Yo, el Rey.  

Philip’s birth announcement by Charles V, 23 May 1527. In Felipe II y su tiempo by Manuel Fernández Álvarez