By: HISTORY.com Editors

1519

Charles I of Spain crowned Holy Roman Emperor, becomes Charles V

Published: July 21, 2010

Last Updated: May 27, 2025

Charles I of Spain, who by birth already held sway over much of Europe and Spanish America, is chosen as the successor of his late grandfather, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. Charles, who was also the grandson of Ferdinand II and Isabella of Spain, had bribed the princes of Germany to vote for him, defeating such formidable candidates as King Henry VIII of England, King Francis I of France and Frederick the Wise, the duke of Saxony.

Crowned as Emperor Charles V, the new Holy Roman emperor sought to unite the many kingdoms under his rule in the hope of creating a vast, universal empire. However, his hopes were thwarted by the Protestant Reformation in Germany, a lifelong dynastic struggle with King Francis, and the advance of the Ottoman Turks into Europe. In 1558, after nearly four decades as Holy Roman emperor, Charles abdicated the throne in favor of his brother, Ferdinand. He had already granted much of the other European territory under his rule to his son Philip.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on June 28th

Related Articles

Royal brothers and sisters have squabbled through the ages—often leading to war.

The concept of a third world war has been around for a long time—not as something that might happen, but something that <em>will</em>.

The Imperial State Crown in the Jewel House, Tower of London.

The centuries-old ceremony is a mixture of political and religious rites replete in symbolism, tradition and pomp.

King Charles III inspects the Guard of Honour as he arrives for the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, on September 12, 2022, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Gone are the days of absolute monarchy. Today, the ruler's duties are merely ceremonial.

About the author

HISTORY.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen, Christian Zapata and Cristiana Lombardo.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article title
Charles I of Spain crowned Holy Roman Emperor, becomes Charles V
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
June 30, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
May 27, 2025
Original Published Date
July 21, 2010

History Every Day

Sign Up for "This Day in History"

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.