King Philip II's actions set off a chain of events in The Familiar, revealing the power and impact of real-life historical figures. Characters like Antonio Pérez and Lucrecia de León add depth ...

Myrto Papadopoulos Detail of the ceremonial gold-ivory war shield of King Philip II. Myrto Papadopoulos Opening a marble sarcophagus with trembling hands, Andronikos found a small golden coffin ...

So what of the other contenders: King Philip, King Arthur ... George I, a mediocre German prince who spoke no English. George II, chiefly remembered for his army's brutal treatment of the Scots ...