Gold. The Age of Chivalry : Charles V. Realms of gold ; Holy Roman Emperor ; Isabella of Portugal ; Arms and letters : Garcilaso and Alba ; Rule of law ; Death of the emperor

The Age of Bureaucracy : Philip II. El Escorial and El Greco ; St Teresa, mystic poets, and the Inquisition ; The Netherlands : "the Great Bog of Europe" ; Portugal and the Duke of Alba ; Pirates, criminals, and tax collecting ; The Great Armada, 1588

Glitter. The Age of Peace : Philip III and the Duke of Lerma. The first modern novel, Don Quixote ; Moriscos and Catalans ; Holy Week : art and illusion ; Velázquez and Zurbarán ; Politics and poetry : Góngora and Quevedo

The Age of Decline : Philip IV and the Count-Duke of Olivares. Drama : Olivares and Don Juan ; The Prince of Wales in Madrid ; Triumph and disaster ; Death and defeat.