Paul IV (1476-1559) was pope of the Catholic Church from 1555 to 1559.

Paul IV, originally named, Gian Pietro Carafa, was born June 28, 1476 in Capriglia Irpina, Naples. Under Leo X he was an ambassador for England and then papal nuncio in Spain. In 1536 under Paul III he was made cardinal, and was responsible for a reorganization of the Roman inquisition. He was elected Pope on May 23, 1555, even though Charles V opposed him. He did not like Spaniards and provoked a war against Philip II and Charles V. However, in 1557 he made peace and ended the war. Under him the Roman Inquisition launched a reign of terror. He also established the Ghetto at Rome and enforced separation of Jews from Christians. He died on August 18, 1559.

Philip II (1527-1598) was King of Spain and, as Philip I, king of Portugal from 1580. Philip II was born in Valladolid, Spain on May 21, 1527 to Charles V and Infanta Isabella. As a child he was trained by his father to take over the Holy Roman Empire. He became the Duke of Milan in 1540 and after marrying Mary I of England he recieved the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily in 1554. In 1555 his father resigned the Netherlands to him and in 1556 the kingdoms of Spain and the Spanish Empire. However, many in fear of his increasing power and zealousness for Catholicism, rebelled against him, such as the Netherlands. He tried conquering England through the Spanish Armada, but was defeated. He was able, however to win the war against the Ottoman Empire. During his lifetime he was married 4 times. He died in El Escorial on September 13, 1598 of cancer.