King Philip II of Spain was born in 1527 and became king in 1556. He was the son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and ruled over a vast empire that included territories in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. His reign is known for its strong Catholic influence and efforts to expand Spanish power, including the defeat of the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Philip II is also remembered for the construction of the Escorial, a royal palace and monastery near Madrid. His reign faced challenges, including the Dutch Revolt and the failed invasion of England with the Spanish Armada in 1588. Despite these difficulties, he left a lasting impact on Spain and its empire.