His reign marked the beginning of the Spanish Golden Age and the rise of the Habsburg dynasty as a major power in Europe. He was known for his ambition to unify Christianity and his attempts to consolidate his control over the European continent.
As Charles V, he was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1519, succeeding his grandfather Maximilian. He inherited the Netherlands, Austria, and other Habsburg territories, and eventually added the crowns of Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Sardinia to his domains.
Charles V's reign was characterized by numerous conflicts and wars, both within his vast empire and against external enemies. He fought against the French King Francis I for control over Italy, engaged in the Protestant Reformation in Germany, and led military expeditions against the Ottoman Empire.
Despite the challenges he faced, Charles V is remembered for his patronage of the arts, literature, and science. He was a major patron of the Renaissance artist Titian and supported the work of the humanist scholar Erasmus.
In 1556, Charles V abdicated the throne and divided his empire between his brother Ferdinand, who became the Holy Roman Emperor, and his son Philip, who inherited the Spanish kingdoms.
Charles V retired to the monastery of Yuste in Spain, where he died on September 21, 1558. He is considered one of the most powerful and influential monarchs in European history, and his reign had a profound impact on the political, cultural, and religious landscape of the sixteenth century.