The document summarizes the 17th century in Spain. It describes how Spain declined during this period after being very powerful in the 16th century. Spain lost territories and faced economic troubles due to factors like the Thirty Years War, losing land in Europe including Portugal, kings spending money on wars that impoverished citizens, and English and French pirates attacking Spanish ships carrying gold and silver. The kings during this time were not interested in ruling and had advisors called "validos" who actually governed in their place, such as the Duke of Lerma during the rule of Felipe III and the Count-Duke of Olivares during Felipe IV's reign.