Ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and as Charles I ruling the Spanish Empire from 1516, until his voluntary abdication to his younger brother Ferdinand I as Holy Roman Emperor and his son Phillip II as King of Spain in 1556.

Charles’ Coat of Arms is complex, being the heir to three of the leading dynasties in Europe. He became the first King of Spain, Archduke of Austria, and Holy Roman Emperor.

His territory spanned approximately four million square kilometers, across Europe, the Far East and the Americas.

He opposed the Protestant Reformation, but he was not willing to allow a religious war to ensue. He called for the convocation of the Council of Trent which began the Counter-Reformation. After a 34-year reign, Charles retired and died at the age of 58.