Philip IV

His reign represented an epoch of cultural brilliance for Spain in the latter years of the ‘Golden Age’, but also marked the political decline and fall of this great power, which was shaken by grave economic and social crises. With favourites such as Count Olivares setting the tone at the king’s court – as with his father before him – the king endeavoured in his foreign policy to defend the country’s territorial possessions. His predilections were for bull-fighting, hunting and women; he is credited with large numbers of illegitimate children.