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Charles V Biography

Charles V Image

CHARLES V., emperor of Germany, king of Spain, born at Ghent, Feb. 21, 1500; died in Spain, Sept. 21, 1558. He inherited the low countries from his father, and Spain, Naples, and the Spanish colonies in America from his mother, and, on the death of Maximilian in 1519, was elected German emperor over a number of competitors. He was crowned at Aix-la-Chapelle in 1520, and in addition received the title of Roman emperor from the pope. When ascending the imperial throne, Germany was greatly agitated by the doctrines proclaimed by Luther, and, to restore peace, a general diet was held at Worms in 1521, at which Luther declared the principles which were germane in the history of the Reformation. He reduced the towns of Castile to subjection in 1522, and likewise waged successful wars against the Turks under Solyman the Great. Next he proceeded against Francis I. of France, drove his armies from Italy, and made the French king his prisoner. Alarmed at his victories, the pope allied himself with France to release the king and free himself from obligations under which he was placed by Charles. The latter promptly sent his army against Rome, captured it by storm, and made the pope prisoner, holding him captive seven months. In 1529 he concluded terms of peace quite favorable to himself.

Charles V. designed to proceed against the Turks, who had overrun Hungary, and adjust religious difficulties in Germany, but in the latter he was disappointed by the diet at Augsburg in 1530, and, failing to support the Protestants, they refused to help him against the Turks. Later he yielded to some of the demands of the Protestants, led a successful expedition against the pirate Barbarossa in Tunis, and entered upon a war against France. The war terminated in his favor in 1512. Five years later he defeated the Protestant princes at Mühlberg, but was subsequently compelled to flee before the arms of Duke Maurice of Saxony and the Protestants. In 1552 he granted religious liberty, which was confirmed by the diet of Augsburg in 1555. Later he lost part of Lorraine by the advance of Henry II. of France, and, failing in health, he abdicated the same year. The remaining three years of his life were spent in a Spanish monastery in mechanical amusements and religious exercises. As king of Spain he was succeeded by his son, Philip II., and his brother Ferdinand succeeded him in the German Empire.

The Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopædia, Vol. I. (Kansas City: Bufton Book Co., 1909) 331-332.