The Habsburg empire

Los Austrias

1516–1700. Charles I (1516–56), also Holy Roman Emperor as Charles V, ruled Spain, the Netherlands, much of Italy and a growing American empire, and spent its silver on…

What happened

Charles I (1516–56), also Holy Roman Emperor as Charles V, ruled Spain, the Netherlands, much of Italy and a growing American empire, and spent its silver on wars against France, the Ottomans and the German Protestants. His son Philip II (1556–98) governed from Madrid and the Escorial, won at Lepanto, joined Portugal to his crowns in 1580 and lost the Armada in 1588. Under Philip III, Philip IV and the childless Charles II the monarchy fought long wars, lost Portugal in 1640 and declined in power, yet these were the decades of Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Velázquez, the Siglo de Oro. The dynasty ended with Charles II's death in 1700.

Its events

  1. 6 September 1522: Elcano sails round the world
  2. August 1550–1551: The Valladolid debate
  3. 1580–1640: Philip II becomes king of Portugal
  4. January 1605: Don Quixote is published

Sources

  1. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor — World History Encyclopedia
  2. Cronología de Carlos I de España y V de Alemania — Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes
  3. Spanish Armada — World History Encyclopedia
  4. War of the Spanish Succession — World History Encyclopedia