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. 1520–23 April 1521: The revolt of the Comuneros
  2. 6 September 1522: Elcano sails round the world
  3. August 1550–1551: The Valladolid debate
  4. 1554: Lazarillo de Tormes is printed
  5. May 1561: Philip II moves the court to Madrid
  6. 1562: Teresa of Ávila founds San José
  7. 1563–1584: Philip II builds El Escorial
  8. 7 October 1571: The Battle of Lepanto
  9. 1580–1640: Philip II becomes king of Portugal
  10. 30 May 1588–October 1588: The Armada sails against England
  11. January 1605: Don Quixote is published
  12. 1609: Lope de Vega and the comedia
  13. April 1609–January 1614: The expulsion of the Moriscos
  14. 1656: Velázquez paints Las Meninas

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