ABSTRACT


Charles V was elected Holy Roman Emperor and, until his death in 1558, he was to play a central role on the European political stage. The book is a clear introduction to the often confusing train of events in the first half of the sixteenth century. It looks at Charles's response to the Protestant Reformation in Germany; his efforts to retain the Netherlands under Habsburg control; his struggle with France for domination over Italy; and his attempts to check the expansion of Ottoman power in the Mediterranean.

part One|13 pages

The Background

chapter 1|4 pages

The Burgundian Inheritance

chapter 2|4 pages

The Habsburgs and Spain

chapter 3|5 pages

The Prospect of Germany

part Two|7 pages

The Imperial Election (1519)

chapter 4|2 pages

Dissolving Hopes

chapter 5|5 pages

The Campaign

part Three|17 pages

Consolidation

chapter 6|4 pages

The Diet of Worms (1521)

chapter 7|2 pages

The Compact of Brussels (1522)

chapter 8|4 pages

The Netherlands

chapter 9|4 pages

The Comunero Revolt

chapter 10|3 pages

The Strengthening of Spain

part Four|11 pages

Italy and the Lutherans

chapter 11|6 pages

The Italian Wars

chapter 12|5 pages

Ferdinand's Regency

part Five|18 pages

The Standard-bearer

chapter 13|5 pages

The Duties of Empire

chapter 14|3 pages

The Diet of Augsburg (1530)

chapter 15|5 pages

The Politics of Conciliation

chapter 16|2 pages

The Colloquy of Regensburg (1541)

chapter 17|3 pages

Beyond Europe

part Six|22 pages

War in Germany

chapter 18|5 pages

Finance

chapter 19|6 pages

The Decision to Fight

chapter 20|3 pages

The Schmalkaldic War (1546-47)

chapter 21|4 pages

The Hollow Victory

chapter 22|4 pages

Defeat in Germany

part Seven|5 pages

Succession and Abdication

part Eight|4 pages

Assessment — Charles and his Biographers

part Nine|18 pages

Documents