Often called the last Medieval King, Charles V (also Charles I of Spain and Duke of Burgundy) ruled over a vast empire during the 16th Century. Thanks to several timely deaths and prudently arranged royal marriages, Charles’ empire stretched across of all of Europe.
Charles V – King of the World, or at Least of Europe
Born in 1500, Charles was the son of Philip of Burgundy and Joanna of Spain. He inherited his titles and properties at the age of 6, when his father died, making Charles Duke of Burgundy, a small province in modern day France. Along with Burgundy, Charles became ruler of the Low Countries- Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. At the age of 16, Charles Maternal grandfather Ferdinand of Ferdinand and Isabella- patrons of Columbus) died, leaving him Charles inherited Spain and the Spanish Hapsburg territories in Italy. He also gained control of the newly established colonies in the New World, and the vast amount of wealth they brought the Spanish Crown. Charles paternal grandfather, Maximillian I, died and at the age of 19 Charles inherited lands in Germany, Austria and parts of Hungary. With a good amount of bribing, Charles was elected Holy Roman Emperor, beating out fellow monarchs, François I of France and Henry VIII of England.
War and Peace and a United Christendom for Charles V
Charles spent most of his reign traveling from place to place, trying to oversee his vast empire. He was usually either fighting battles, arranging treaties to avoid fighting battles or trying to unify his empire through compromise and personal control. One of Charles major goals was to have a united Christendom under his rule. What he got instead was the Protestant Reformation, which began in one his own German territories. Because Charles was often fighting, particularly the French in the West and the Ottoman Turks in the East, those in the middle, the German Princes, were able to assert much more independence. This was even more true after Martin Luther published his Ninety-Five Theses. Charles put a price on Martin Luther’s head, but to no avail. A German prince hid Luther away for nearly a year, until Charles V finally agreed to the Religious Peace of Augsburg, which basically said that the people of each German state would follow whichever religion their prince followed. Charles was unhappy about compromising with Protestants, and had to let go of his dream of a united Christendom.
Charles V Abdicates
Charles V abdicated in 1555, following the Peace of Augsburg. He retired to a monastery in Spain, dividing his lands among his heirs. His son, Philip, inherited his Spanish holdings, while his brother, Ferdinand inherited his German-Austrian holdings.
Sources:
Matthews, Platt. The Western Humanities Volume I: Beginning Through the Renaissance. Mountain View, California: Mayfield Publishing Company, 1992.
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