Sovereign of the Holy Roman Empire, better known as "Charles V." As emperor he reigned over Spain (Charles I), Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, southern Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Piedmont and some states of southern Germany (1519-1556). Known as a great supporter of Christianity, he was the founder of an international army of mercenaries whose purpose was the defense of catholic religion in the vast territories of his empire. For this initiative he was appointed defender of the faith by Pope Leo X, and following his victory over the Protestant Landsknechte who had sacked Rome, Pope Clement VII crowned him in Bologna with the Iron Crown (1530). Between 1529 and 1535 he faced the Islamic threat fueled by France and his allies, and to avoid further conflicts he preferred to abdicate and divide the empire into individual national sovereignties.

Sovereign of the Holy Roman Empire, better known as "Charles V." As emperor he reigned over Spain (Charles I), Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, southern Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Piedmont and some states of southern Germany (1519-1556). Known as a great supporter of Christianity, he was the founder of an international army of mercenaries whose purpose was the defense of catholic religion in the vast territories of his empire. For this initiative he was appointed defender of the faith by Pope Leo X, and following his victory over the Protestant Landsknechte who had sacked Rome, Pope Clement VII crowned him in Bologna with the Iron Crown (1530). Between 1529 and 1535 he faced the Islamic threat fueled by France and his allies, and to avoid further conflicts he preferred to abdicate and divide the empire into individual national sovereignties.

Bio by: Lucy & Chris