History UsefulNotes / CharlesV

Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Castile, Aragon and León, Archduke of Austria and Lord of the Netherlands, among other titles[[note]]The amount of titles he held was actually much larger, as he had titles for individual areas in the Low Countries (most of current Belgium and the Netherlands) as well as some titles of places he claimed but where he did not actually rule.[[/note]]. He hails from the [[UsefulNotes/TheSoundOfMartialMusic House of Habsburg]] was named after his great-grandfather UsefulNotes/CharlesDukeOfBurgundy.

Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Castile, Aragon and León, Archduke of Austria and Lord of the Netherlands, among other titles[[note]]The amount of titles he held was actually much larger, as he had titles for individual areas in the Low Countries (most of current Belgium and the Netherlands) as well as some titles of places he claimed but where he did not actually rule.[[/note]]. He hails from the [[UsefulNotes/SoundOfMartialMusic House of Habsburg]] was named after his great-grandfather UsefulNotes/CharlesDukeOfBurgundy.

Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Castile, Aragon and León, Archduke of Austria and Lord of the Netherlands. The amount of titles he held was actually much larger, as he had titles for individual areas in the Low Countries (most of current Belgium and the Netherlands) as well as some titles of places he claimed but where he did not actually rule. He was named after his great-grandfather UsefulNotes/CharlesDukeOfBurgundy.

-->--motto of Charles V

* He is also the namesake of Nestle's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_V_(chocolate_bar) Carlos V]] "[[LiteCreme chocolate-style bar]]",[[note]]It includes milk powder and a substantial portion of fats other than cocoa butter, so its texture is more crumbly/shattery than "standard" chocolate. That said, most Mexican kids prefer to microwave it and lick the molten paste from the wrapper, negating these considerations.[[/note]] one of Mexico's most popular chocolate confections. A stylized image of the King-Emperor (looking like a telenovela star and wearing incongruously medieval-style attire rather than his actual Renaissance wear) appears on the wrapper, along with the slogan ''El Rey de los Chocolates'' ("The King of Chocolates").

* He is also the namesake of Nestle's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_V_(chocolate_bar) Carlos V]] "[[LiteCreme chocolate-style bar]]",[[note]]It includes milk powder and a substantial portion of fats other than cocoa butter, so its texture is more crumbly/shattery than "standard" chocolate. That said, most Mexican kids prefer to microwave it and eat it molten, negating these considerations.[[/note]] one of Mexico's most popular chocolate confections. A stylized image of the King-Emperor (looking like a telenovela star and wearing incongruously medieval-style attire rather than his actual Renaissance wear) appears on the wrapper, along with the slogan ''El Rey de los Chocolates'' ("The King of Chocolates").

* He is also the namesake of Nestle's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_V_(chocolate_bar) Carlos V]] "[[LiteCreme chocolate-style bar]]",[[note]]It includes milk powder and a substantial portion of fats other than cocoa butter, so its texture is more crumbly/shattery than "standard" chocolate. That said, most Mexican kids prefer to microwave it and eat it molten, negating these considerations.[[/note]] one of Mexico's most popular chocolate confections. A stylized image of the King-Emperor (looking like a telenovela star and wearing incongruously medieval-style attire) appears on the wrapper, along with the slogan ''El Rey de los Chocolates'' ("The King of Chocolates").

!!Portrayals of Charles V in fiction:

* TheEmperor: Upon his election as Holy Roman Emperor, never mind the already extensive territories of the Castillian Crown in the New World (Cortes would conquer the Aztecs during his reign). In fact, he was probably the only person who came closest to dominating Europe between the ages of UsefulNotes/{{Charlemagne}} and UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte.

The big enemy for his family was France. His territories encircled this country and the wars in Italy increased the hostility. His troops won a great victory at Pavia in 1526, capturing the French King Francis I, strengthening his position.

Charles had been betrothed to several princesses, but in the end married his cousin Isabella of Portugal. They were very devoted to each other. None of his bastard children were born during this marriage.

The amount of territories he had accumulated were a strength, but also a weakness. Charles constantly had to travel from one place to another and deal with people from very different cultures and sensibilities. He often left his female relatives in charge as regents in parts of his lands as he travelled elsewhere.

* BabiesMakeEverythingBetter: One of the reasons he married Isabella of Portugal and not UsefulNotes/MaryTudor of England, to whom he had been betrothed, was that Isabella was of child-bearing age and he needed heirs. Averted later when Isabella would died after giving birth to their third child.

* DecadentCourt: Averted. His court was not noted for being frivolous.

* BilingualBonus: Averted often in media. Despite him having been able to speak several languages, the actors portraying him just speak the language of the country were the production was made. This happens even in ''the Tudors'', even though he did not speak English.

* TheChainsOfCommanding: Probably why he abdicated his various thrones and retired to a monastery in 1555. Trying to govern his disparate and diverse territories, which stretched, if not for the existence of France, from the Straits of Gibraltar to the borders of Hungary (Which his Brother had ruled since 1526) and from Sicily to the Netherlands became taxing on his health and treasury. Put on top of this the beginning of the Protestant revolution and the colonization of the New World, its no wonder he chose to divide his territories between his brother and son, rather than leave such a headache to a single heir.

** Particularly, the ancestors of his maternal grandmother Mary of Burgundy 'the Rich' is filled with people with nicknames like 'the Bold' or 'the Fearless'.

* KissingCousins: Charles started a tradition of very close family members marrying each other. His wife was his first cousin. Their son Philip married four times, of which only one wife was not closely related to him. His fourth wife was the daughter of his niece and even her father was a first cousin of Philip. The Habsburg chin, already visible on portraits of Charles, would grow to grotesque proportions as his descendents kept marrying each other.

* TheEmperor: Upon his election as Holy Roman Emperor, never mind the already extensive territories of the Castillian Crown in the New World (Cortes would conquer the Aztecs during his reign). In fact, he was probably the only person who came closest to dominating Europe between the ages of UsefulNotes/Charlemagne and UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte.

* ChainsOfCommanding: Probably why he abdicated his various thrones and retired to a monastery in 1555. Trying to govern his disparate and diverse territories, which stretched, if not for the existence of France, from the Straits of Gibraltar to the borders of Hungary (Which his Brother had ruled since 1526) and from Sicily to the Netherlands became taxing on his health and treasury. Put on top of this the beginning of the Protestant revolution and the colonization of the New World, its no wonder he chose to divide his territories between his brother and son, rather than leave such a headache to a single heir.

Near the end of his life, he abdicated. Exhausted, he left for Spain with two of his sisters. Some of his posessions went to his son Philip II, while others went to his younger brother Ferdinand.

* BabiesMakeEverythingBetter: One of the reasons he married Isabella of Portugal and not UsefulNotes/MaryTudor of England, to whom he had been bethrothed, was that Isabella was of child-bearing age and he needed heirs. Averted later when Isabella would died after giving birth to their third child.

* BlueBlood: It is difficult to find anyone in history with such close connections to various royal and noble houses. The only grandparent to never be a monarch of a country was Mary, Archduchess of the rich Burgundy, and even she descended from the French and Portuguese royal houses.

* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: his parents and several of his forebears are known by their nicknames first. People in the Netherlands would recognize Joanna the Mad and Philip the Handsome before they would know them by their more formal names. It's quite surprising that this is averted with Charles, who is simply known as Charles V.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[WebAnimation/OverSimplified Mommy says it's a strong chin for a strong boy!]]

* DeadlyDecadentCourt: Averted. His court was not noted for being frivolous.

Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor, King of Castile, Aragon and León, Archduke of Austria and Lord of the Netherlands. The amount of titles was actually larger, as he had titles for individual areas in the Low Countries (most of current Belgium and the Netherlands) as well as some title of places he claimed but where he did not actually rule.

* BabiesMakeEverythingBetter: One of the reasons he married Isabella of Portugal and not Mary Tudor of England, to whom he had been bethrothed, was that Isabella was of child-bearing age and he needed heirs. Averted later when Isabella would died after childbirth.

* BlueBlood: It is difficult to find anyone in history with such close connections to various royal and noble houses. The only grandparent to never be a monarch of a country was Mary, Archduchess of the rich Burgundy and even she descended from the French and Portuguese royal houses.

* CultureClash: Bound to happen when one rules so many different territories. In Spain, many were reluctant to accept him, as he was seen as a foreigner there. A revolt against his rule in Castile was intended to put his mother back in power, but was not successful. Things would grow better as he grew fond of Spain.

* StayInTheKitchen: Partly averted. He grew up with his aunt acting as regent and received many of his families through the female lines. Charles tended to leave female relatives in charge in his various territories, like his aunt, sister, wife and daughter. He did, however, take charge of Castile, though his mother was still alive. This was partly based on her being declared insane, but made easier because he was male and she female.

As he came of age and his grandfathers passed away, he laid claim to more and more territories. With the help of his aunt Margaret and a lot of money, he was elected Roman Emperor as well.

Apart from the threat of France, another important issue was the rise of Protestantism during his reign. Charles always remained an unwavering Roman Catholic. In different parts of his lands, there were different rules and not infrequently, people were prosecuted. This did nothing to stop the spread, especially in the Empire and the Low Countries.

Born in Belgium, he grew up with a connection to the Low Countries. His father died in 1506. His mother was declared insane and incarcerated in Spain. As he was too young to rule, his aunt UsefulNotes/MargaretOfAustria was regent for him in the Netherlands, while his grandfather Ferdinand was still king of Aragon and regent in Castile.

** Averted with his sister, with whom he got on well most of the time.

Particularly, the ancestors of his maternal grandmother Mary of Burgundy, is filled with people with nicknames like 'the Bold' or 'the Fearless'.

* Paul Cammermans in ''/Series/WilliamOfOrange'' (1984)

* StayInTheKitchen: Partly averted. He grew up with his aunt acting as regent and received many of his families through the female lines. Charles tended to leave female relatives in charge in his various territories, like his aunt, sister, wife and daughter. He did, however, take charge of Castile, though his mother was still alive. This was partly based on her being declared insane, but made easier because he was male and she female.

* Appears in Jean Plaidy's ''Daughters of Spain'', the last book in a trilogy about Isabella of Castile.

* As a baby in movie Mad Love (2001)

* DysfunctionalFamily: His parents had a very dysfunctional marriage. His mother was locked away by his grandfather Ferdinand and Charles left her there, as he claim to the throne of Castile was bigger than his. Apart from this, his relationship with his siblings was often loving and less dysfunctional than that of many other powerful families throughout the ages.

Near the end of his life, he abdicated. Exhausted, he left for Spain with two of his sisters. Some of his posessions went to his son Philip II, while others went to his younger brother Ferdinand.