Europe and the Church, Part 9: Charles V's Empire Upon Which the Sun Never Set
The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V was the most famous Habsburg in history, presiding over an empire that stretched from the Philippines to Peru and was the greatest in Europe. During his reign he was confronted with major challenges, including the Protestant Reformation. His reign constituted the fourth of the seven prophesied resurrections of the Roman Empire, which will see its final resurrection just before the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings.
by Melvin Rhodes
One of the most famous families in Europe is the Habsburgs (sometimes spelled Hapsburgs). For 10 centuries, until the end of the First World War, they held power at the very center of European civilization.
The family began to grow in stature and power in the 10th century in Alsace and Switzerland, and it attained prominence when family member Count Rudolf was elected king of Germany in 1273. With that election, he also assumed the title of Holy Roman emperor. Significantly, he was crowned in Charlemagne's capital of Aachen. His ascension ended a 20-year period of chaos throughout the empire known as the Great Interregnum.
In 1278 Rudolf defeated King Ottokar II of Bohemia, adding Austria to Habsburg territory. The family remained rulers of Austria until the 20th century. By conquest and dynastic marriages, the Habsburgs kept on expanding their domains. Spain, portions of Italy, the Netherlands, Burgundy and Hungary were later added. After Rudolf it was to be 150 years until another Habsburg carried the title of Holy Roman Emperor.
In 1453, the same year that witnessed the fall of Constantinople (capital of the Eastern Roman Empire), Friedrich III, a Habsburg, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor. This time the title was to remain with the family for many generations.
Charles V becomes emperor
The future Charles V was born in 1500 and became king of Spain at the age of 16. Three years later he succeeded to the Austrian throne and was elected Holy Roman Emperor, in accordance with the imperial edict of the Golden Bull (1356) that appointed seven electors to choose future emperors. The Golden Bull was the constitution of the Holy Roman Empire until its demise in 1806.
