Charles V (1500-58), King of Spain as Charles I who became Holy Roman Emperor and the most powerful European monarch of his time. His territory included Aragon and Castile, the Netherlands, Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, and the Spanish conquests in America and Africa, as well as the Habsburg Empire.
On the death of his grandfather, King Ferdinand V of Aragon, in 1516, Charles took possession of the throne of Spain, with the title Charles I of Spain. On the death of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian, in 1519, Charles was elected Emperor in his place. The pope, fearful of Charles's power, tried to limit his influence in Italy. In response, the emperor's forces took Rome by storm, plundered it and made the pope prisoner. Peace was made in 1529.
Charles upheld Cortes's claims to New Spain and supported the conquest of the Americas. He also commissioned Magellan's famous voyage to the Spice Islands. During his reign, Spain continually committed finances to the conquest and colonization of Mexico and Peru.
Charles abdicated in 1556 and retired to a monastery, where he died.
