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Season 2025 – Talk 10 – Charles V
In the talk ‘Charles V’ Malcolm Macnaghten tells us about this ruler who was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, Archduke of Austria, King of Sicily & Naples, Lord of the Netherlands and Duke of Burgundy.
Introduction:
Emperor Charles V lives in the early sixteenth century from 1500 to 1558. He’s a Habsburg. They originate in the center of modern-day Switzerland in the eleventh century. The Hapsburgs gradually expand across lands to the north and east of Switzerland, especially the Alsace and Austria. By the middle of the fifteenth century they are the principal line of the Holy Roman Emperors.
Interestingly, you had to ‘sort of bribe’ the electors to become the Holy Roman Emperor as the ‘role’ was elected.
Scope of his rule:
Charles controls to some degree a huge swathe of Europe. It’s basically everything except France and England . This is because he comes from an extended family and had an element of luck.
In addition, as Holy Roman Emperor, he is overlord of some smaller states, mainly in Germany and northern Italy.
Marriage:
Initially the plan is for Charles to marry his cousin Mary Tudor. However, its 1526 and a marriage to his cousin, the Portuguese Princess Isabella, is seen as better for the politics of the Iberian peninsula.
Although this is an ‘arranged marriage’, Charles and Isabella quickly fall in love so it is a happy marriage.
Listen to Malcolm tell the story.
About this podcast:
This is an edited recording of a talk given to the Farnham u3a World History: Ancient, Medieval and Modern Group.
This podcast is also available through Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Podchaser, Spotify, YouTube and others.
AKM Music licenses Media Magazine for use with this talk.
© The MrT Podcast Studio and Farnham u3a World History: Ancient, Medieval and Modern Group 2018 – 2026
