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After the accession of Philip II. to the throne of Spain, the war against the French was carried on with varying success for seven years. In 1558, after the Battle of Gravelines, proposals of peace were made and the treaty was signed at Câteau-Cambrésis, April 3, 1559. Henry II. was shortly after wounded in a tournament, and died on July 10, 1559.

He was shortly after suspected of complicity in the conspiracy of Amboise, and was imprisoned in the Bastille by order of Francis II. During his life at Court he had been passionately loved by Catherine de Medici, but he showed only indifference toward her. She avenged herself later on by ill-treating him, and it is suspected that his death was caused by poison given to him by her order.

The romantic attachment of Don Carlos to her is vividly depicted in Schiller's drama, though it must be borne in mind that Schiller's picture is very far from being an accurate historical representation. Her death took place shortly after that of Don Carlos. "She was," says Brantôme, "the best princess of her time, and was loved by every one.