9.1.1 to 9.1.5

Charles V (1500-1558) Seven rulers of the Holy Roman Empire were named Charles. The first was Charlemagne, the founder of the empire, whose name means "Charles the Great." Of the other six, Charles V is especially notable for his widespread holdings and eventful reign. Charles's territories stretched across most of Europe—except for England, France, and Russia—and into the Americas. For decades he defended them tirelessly. Yet at 56 he voluntarily gave up his vast realm and retired to spend his last days in a Spanish monastery. Charles was born on Feb. 24, 1500, at Ghent in the Netherlands (now Belgium). His father was Philip of Hapsburg, whose own father was Maximilian, archduke of Austria and Holy Roman emperor. Charles's mother was Joan the Mad, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Spain. Charles was raised in the Netherlands. His father died in 1506, bequeathing to him the kingdoms of Castile and the Netherlands. With the death of his grandfather Ferdinand 10 years later, Charles gained control of the rest of Spain—and of Spain's colonies in the New World—as Charles I. He also became king of Sicily and Naples. In 1517 he went to Spain for the first time to set up a court at Valladolid. In 1519 his grandfather Maximilian died, leaving him the German Hapsburg realms. Shortly afterward, in a vote of nobles, he was elected Holy Roman emperor as well, though he was not actually crowned until later. Charles's chief rival for power in Europe was Francis I of France, who had wanted to be emperor himself. The French king claimed Charles's possessions in Italy. Between 1522 and 1544, Spanish armies defeated French forces three times before Francis gave up his claim.