The reign of Philip II - the son of Charles V, the sovereign who held in his hands a significant part of Europe and the New World...Under him, the Siglo de Oro continued - the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire, when it remained the flagship of all Catholic Europe and the Americas. The final conquest of Chile , exploration of the rivers Rio de la Plata, Parana, Orinoco. Founding of Buenos Aires and Asuncion - the future capitals of the new colonies - Argentina and Paraguay. Accession of Portugal to Spain and the transfer of overseas colonies of Portugal to the rule of Madrid. Conquest of the Philippine Islands and dreams of penetration into China. How did the first of the empires on which the sun never set live? Read about this in a fascinating study by British historian Hugh Thomas.