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Frederick II (1194-1250) was the son of Emperor Henry VI, and was only an infant when crowned King of Sicily by his mother in 1198. When his mother died the same year, he was given to Pope Innocent III, who became his guardian.<br/><br/> When Frederick came of age in 1208, he asserted his power over Sicily. Emperor Otto IV invaded Italy in 1209, hoping to conquer Sicily and bring Frederick to heel, but in 1211, Frederick was elected in absentia as King of Germany by various imperial princes fed up with Otto's rule. Frederick entered Germany with a small army and was formally crowned King of Germany in 1212. He became undisputed ruler in 1215 after Otto's abdication, and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1220.<br/><br/> Frederick fought often with the papacy, and was excommunicated four times, even once being called an Antichrist. He became King of Jerusalem in 1225 through the Sixth Crusade, marrying Yolande of Jerusalem, heiress to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Frederick spoke six languages and was an avid patron of science and the arts, as well as a religious sceptic. He was the first king to explicitly outlaw trials by ordeal, considering them irrational. He fell ill and died peacefully in 1250, the Hohenstaufen dynasty perishing very soon afterwards.
'King Sigismund in the Court Church of Lucerne, 1417', watercolour drawing from the <i>Luzerner Schilling</i> by Diebold Schilling the Younger (1460-1515), c. 1513.<br/><br/> Sigismund (1368-1437) was the son of Emperor Charles IV and younger brother of King Wenceslaus. He led the last West European Crusade, the Crusade of Nicopolis, in 1396, leading a combined Christian army against the Turks. He was elected as King of Germany in 1411 after the death of King Rupert. He also became King of Bohemia in 1419 and managed to be crowned King of Italy in 1431. Sigismund marched into Rome and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1433.
Sigismund (1368-1437), also known as Sigismund of Luxembourg, was the son of Emperor Charles IV and younger brother of King Wenceslaus. Sigismund was betrothed to Princess Mary, eldest daughter of King Louis the Great of Hungary and Poland, marrying her in 1385 and becoming King of Hungary and Croatia in 1387.<br/><br/> Sigismund led the last West European Crusade, the Crusade of Nicopolis, in 1396, leading a combined Christian army against the Turks. The Crusade was a disaster and ended in defeat, Sigismund being imprisoned and deposed in 1401 upon his return to Hungary, though he would later regain the throne. He imprisoned his own brother, King Wenceslaus, in 1403, taking over rule of Bohemia. He was elected as King of Germany in 1411 after the death of King Rupert. He also became King of Bohemia in 1419 and managed to be crowned King of Italy in 1431.<br/><br/> Sigismund marched into Rome and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1433. He led multiple campaigns against the Turkish Ottoman Empire, all with little success, and founded the Order of the Dragon in 1408 with the sole goal of fighting the Turks. He also waged the Hussite Wars from 1419 to 1430. Sigismund died in 1437, the last of the Luxembourg dynasty.
Otto IV (1175-1218) was the third son of the rebellious Duke Henry the Lion, as well as being the nephew and foster son of King Richard Lionheart of England. He was born and raised in England by Richard, and therefore many consider him the first foreign king of Germany. When Emperor Henry VI died in 1197, some of the princes opposed to the Staufen dynasty elected Otto as anti-king in 1198.<br/><br/> Otto's election sparked a civil war between himself and Philip of Swabia, brother of Emperor Henry and true claimant to the crown of Germany. Otto's forces were initially victorious, but his situation eventually worsened and by 1207, Philip had all but won. His sudden murder a year later changed things considerably however, with Otto quickly becoming the recognised King of Germany, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor by 1209.
Henry V (1081/1086-1125) was the son of Emperor Henry IV, and in 1099 was crowned King of Germany and his true successor in place of his older brother Conrad, who had rebelled against their father. Henry took an oath of non-interference in imperial matters while his father ruled, but he was persuaded by his father's enemies to revolt in 1104, forcing his father to abdicate in 1105 and making Henry sole ruler of the Holy Roman Empire.
Henry IV (1050-1106), son of Emperor Henry III, was crowned King of Germany in 1056 after his father's death, though his young age meant his mother ruled as regent in his stead. He was kidnapped in the Coup of Kaiserswerth in 1062, a conspiracy led by the Archbishop of Cologne Anno II, who ruled the Holy Roman Empire while supervising over Henry's education and training.<br/><br/> When Anno was absent from Germany for a period, Henry managed to wrest back control of the government, and spent much of his reign consolidating his imperial power. The Investiture Controversy occurred during his rule, one of the most significant conflicts between Church and state in mediaeval Europe. Several civil wars were also waged over his throne, in both Germany and Italy, and while launching a third punitive expdition into Italy in 1093, Henry's son Conrad turned against him, crowned as King of Italy by one of Henry's fiercest foes, Matilda of Tuscany.<br/><br/> Henry finally formally deposed Conrad in 1098 and named his younger son Henry V as his successor. However, Henry V later also turned on his father in 1104, encouraged by the pope who had once again excommunicated his father. He was imprisoned and forced to resign his crown, though he escaped in 1106 and began to amass considerable support to his name. He defeated his son, but died soon afterwards from an illness. Henry was one of the most powerful and important figures of the 11th century.
Henry II (974-1024), also known as Henry IV and Saint Henry, was the son of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria and great-grandson of King Henry I, therefore making him part of the Bavarian branch of the Ottonian dynasty. Due to his father's rebellion against the two previous emperors, Henry was often in exile and became close with the Church. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995, taking the name Henry IV.<br/><br/> As Henry was returning home to claim his lands however, Emperor Otto III died of fever with no heir to succeed him. Political chaos gripped the Holy Roman Empire, and Henry defeated several other claimants to become King of Germany in 1002, and King of Italy in 1004. He subsumed the Duchy of Bohemia into the Holy Roman Empire, and fought a series of wars against Poland. He also led a series of expeditions into Italy to ensure Imperial dominance against secessionist forces and the Byzantine Empire. He was eventually crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in 1014.<br/><br/> Henry II's rule was centralised, power consolidated in his hands through personal and political ties with the Catholic Church, which would lead to his canonisation a century later in 1146, the only German monarch to become a saint. Henry eventually died in 1024, leaving no children behind and ending the Ottonian dynasty.
Henry II (974-1024), also known as Henry IV and Saint Henry, was the son of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria and great-grandson of King Henry I, therefore making him part of the Bavarian branch of the Ottonian dynasty. Due to his father's rebellion against the two previous emperors, Henry was often in exile and became close with the Church. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995, taking the name Henry IV.<br/><br/> As Henry was returning home to claim his lands however, Emperor Otto III died of fever with no heir to succeed him. Political chaos gripped the Holy Roman Empire, and Henry defeated several other claimants to become King of Germany in 1002, and King of Italy in 1004. He subsumed the Duchy of Bohemia into the Holy Roman Empire, and fought a series of wars against Poland. He also led a series of expeditions into Italy to ensure Imperial dominance against secessionist forces and the Byzantine Empire. He was eventually crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in 1014.<br/><br/> Henry II's rule was centralised, power consolidated in his hands through personal and political ties with the Catholic Church, which would lead to his canonisation a century later in 1146, the only German monarch to become a saint. Henry eventually died in 1024, leaving no children behind and ending the Ottonian dynasty.
Henry II (974-1024), also known as Henry IV and Saint Henry, was the son of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria and great-grandson of King Henry I, therefore making him part of the Bavarian branch of the Ottonian dynasty. Due to his father's rebellion against the two previous emperors, Henry was often in exile and became close with the Church. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995, taking the name Henry IV.<br/><br/> As Henry was returning home to claim his lands however, Emperor Otto III died of fever with no heir to succeed him. Political chaos gripped the Holy Roman Empire, and Henry defeated several other claimants to become King of Germany in 1002, and King of Italy in 1004. He subsumed the Duchy of Bohemia into the Holy Roman Empire, and fought a series of wars against Poland. He also led a series of expeditions into Italy to ensure Imperial dominance against secessionist forces and the Byzantine Empire. He was eventually crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in 1014.<br/><br/> Henry II's rule was centralised, power consolidated in his hands through personal and political ties with the Catholic Church, which would lead to his canonisation a century later in 1146, the only German monarch to become a saint. Henry eventually died in 1024, leaving no children behind and ending the Ottonian dynasty.
Otto III (980-1002) was the only son of Emperor Otto II and Empress Theophanu. Otto became King of Germany at the age of three in 983, after his father's death, but his young age meant that various regents ruled in his name. Initially his mother, Empress Theophanu served as regent for her son until her death in 991. His grandmother, Dowager Empress Adelaide of Italy served as regent until 994, when Otto was finally eligible to rule.<br/><br/> In 996, Otto marched to Italy and claimed the titles of Holy Roman Emperor and King of Italy for himself, as well as to reestablish Imperial control over the city of Rome, which had revolted. He quickly put down the rebellion and installed his own cousin as the new pope, but soon had to return when the papacy rebelled again, reinstalling his cousin and executing the traitors. His actions strengthened Imperial control over the Catholic Church.<br/><br/> Otto improved the Holy Roman Empire's relations with Bohemia, Hungary and Poland, extending the influence of Christianity into Eastern Europe. While he was returning to Rome in 1001, another rebellion by the Roman aristocracy occurred, forcing him to flee the city. He died of a sudden fever a year later while marching back to reclaim the city, leaving no clear heir to succeed him and throwing the Empire into political crisis once more.
Henry II (974-1024), also known as Henry IV and Saint Henry, was the son of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria and great-grandson of King Henry I, therefore making him part of the Bavarian branch of the Ottonian dynasty. Due to his father's rebellion against the two previous emperors, Henry was often in exile and became close with the Church. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995, taking the name Henry IV.<br/><br/> As Henry was returning home to claim his lands however, Emperor Otto III died of fever with no heir to succeed him. Political chaos gripped the Holy Roman Empire, and Henry defeated several other claimants to become King of Germany in 1002, and King of Italy in 1004. He subsumed the Duchy of Bohemia into the Holy Roman Empire, and fought a series of wars against Poland. He also led a series of expeditions into Italy to ensure Imperial dominance against secessionist forces and the Byzantine Empire. He was eventually crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in 1014.<br/><br/> Henry II's rule was centralised, power consolidated in his hands through personal and political ties with the Catholic Church, which would lead to his canonisation a century later in 1146, the only German monarch to become a saint. Henry eventually died in 1024, leaving no children behind and ending the Ottonian dynasty.
Henry II (974-1024), also known as Henry IV and Saint Henry, was the son of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria and great-grandson of King Henry I, therefore making him part of the Bavarian branch of the Ottonian dynasty. Due to his father's rebellion against the two previous emperors, Henry was often in exile and became close with the Church. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995, taking the name Henry IV.<br/><br/> As Henry was returning home to claim his lands however, Emperor Otto III died of fever with no heir to succeed him. Political chaos gripped the Holy Roman Empire, and Henry defeated several other claimants to become King of Germany in 1002, and King of Italy in 1004. He subsumed the Duchy of Bohemia into the Holy Roman Empire, and fought a series of wars against Poland. He also led a series of expeditions into Italy to ensure Imperial dominance against secessionist forces and the Byzantine Empire. He was eventually crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in 1014.<br/><br/> Henry II's rule was centralised, power consolidated in his hands through personal and political ties with the Catholic Church, which would lead to his canonisation a century later in 1146, the only German monarch to become a saint. Henry eventually died in 1024, leaving no children behind and ending the Ottonian dynasty.
Arnulf (850-899), also known as Arnulf of Carinthia, was the illegitimate son of King Carloman of Bavaria and nephew of Emperor Charles the Fat. Arnulf became Duke of Carinthia, and more or less ruled Bavaria as well. Arnulf's ambition led him to lead a bloodless revolt in 887 that saw his uncle deposed as emperor and Arnulf crowned as King of East Francia.<br/><br/> Arnulf was a warrior king rather than a diplomatic one, constantly battling the Slavs, Danes and Normans. He took advantage of internal strife in West Francia to secure the territory of Lotharingia, giving it to his son. He intervened constantly in West Francia, playing the different king claimants against each other to secure more territory for himself. He invaded Italy in 894 at the pope's behest, becoming King of Italy. He was later crowned Holy Roman emperor in 896.<br/><br/> Arnulf suffered a stroke while campaigning against his rivals in Italy, and he had to retreat back to Bavaria, soon losing control of Italy. He died in December 899, with the crown to East Francia passing to his only legitimate son, Louis the Child, last of the east Frankish branch of the Carolingian dynasty.
Arnulf (850-899), also known as Arnulf of Carinthia, was the illegitimate son of King Carloman of Bavaria and nephew of Emperor Charles the Fat. Arnulf became Duke of Carinthia, and more or less ruled Bavaria as well. Arnulf's ambition led him to lead a bloodless revolt in 887 that saw his uncle deposed as emperor and Arnulf crowned as King of East Francia.<br/><br/> Arnulf was a warrior king rather than a diplomatic one, constantly battling the Slavs, Danes and Normans. He took advantage of internal strife in West Francia to secure the territory of Lotharingia, giving it to his son. He intervened constantly in West Francia, playing the different king claimants against each other to secure more territory for himself. He invaded Italy in 894 at the pope's behest, becoming King of Italy. He was later crowned Holy Roman emperor in 896.<br/><br/> Arnulf suffered a stroke while campaigning against his rivals in Italy, and he had to retreat back to Bavaria, soon losing control of Italy. He died in December 899, with the crown to East Francia passing to his only legitimate son, Louis the Child, last of the east Frankish branch of the Carolingian dynasty.
Charles II (823-877), more commonly nicknamed Charles the Bald, was the son of Emperor Louis the Pious from his second wife. It was his mother's attempts to ensure Charles was included in Louis' succession plans that led to the multiple civil wars by Charles' half-brothers against his father.<br/><br/> When Charles' father died in 840, another civil war broke out between the emperor's sons, with Charles allying himself with his half-brother Louis the German against the new emperor, Lothair I. They defeated Lothair in 841, and cemented their alliance with the Oaths of Strasbourg and the Treaty of Verdun in 843, where he received the Kingdom of West Francia. His reign was peaceful for many years until 858, when Louis the German invaded West Francia, invited by disaffected nobles wanting to get rid of Charles. Louis the German was eventually repulsed, but other matters preoccupied Charles, such as unsuccessful attempts to seize the kingdoms of his nephews or the repeated rebellions and attacks by the Bretons and Vikings.<br/><br/> When Emperor Louis II died in 875, Charles became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Louis the German, furious he was not chosen, retaliated by invading and devastating Charles' lands, though he died a year later. While travelling back from Italy to defend his lands from his nephew Carloman, son of Louis the German, Charles fell ill and died in 877, with his son Louis the Stammerer (846-879) succeeding him as King of West Francia but not as emperor.
Charles II (823-877), more commonly nicknamed Charles the Bald, was the son of Emperor Louis the Pious from his second wife. It was his mother's attempts to ensure Charles was included in Louis' succession plans that led to the multiple civil wars by Charles' half-brothers against his father.<br/><br/> When Charles' father died in 840, another civil war broke out between the emperor's sons, with Charles allying himself with his half-brother Louis the German against the new emperor, Lothair I. They defeated Lothair in 841, and cemented their alliance with the Oaths of Strasbourg and the Treaty of Verdun in 843, where he received the Kingdom of West Francia. His reign was peaceful for many years until 858, when Louis the German invaded West Francia, invited by disaffected nobles wanting to get rid of Charles. Louis the German was eventually repulsed, but other matters preoccupied Charles, such as unsuccessful attempts to seize the kingdoms of his nephews or the repeated rebellions and attacks by the Bretons and Vikings.<br/><br/> When Emperor Louis II died in 875, Charles became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Louis the German, furious he was not chosen, retaliated by invading and devastating Charles' lands, though he died a year later. While travelling back from Italy to defend his lands from his nephew Carloman, son of Louis the German, Charles fell ill and died in 877, with his son Louis the Stammerer (846-879) succeeding him as King of West Francia but not as emperor.
Lothair I (795-855), also known as Lothar I, was the eldest son of Emperor Louis the Pious and grew up in the court of his grandfather, Emperor Charlemagne. When Louis became sole emperor in 814, he sent Lothair to govern Bavaria in 815. Lothair was crowned as co-emperor and declared as principal heir in 817, and would be overlord to his younger brothers, Pippin of Aquitaine and Louis the German, as well as his cousin Bernard of Italy.<br/><br/> When his father died in 840, Lothair ignored all previous plans for partitioning and claimed the whole of the Holy Roman Empire for himself, leading to another civil war which lasted around three years.
Charles III (839-888), more commonly known as Charles the Fat, was the youngest son of Louis the German, King of East Francia, and great-grandson of Emperor Charlemagne. Following the division of East Francia among Louis' sons, Charles inherited Alamannia in 876, but soon inherited the Kingdom of Italy in 876 after his older brother Carloman of Bavaria abdicated.<br/><br/> Charles was eventually crowned as Holy Roman emperor in 881, and succeeded his brother Louis the Younger as king of Saxony and Bavaria a year later, reuniting the Kingdom of East Francia. He was forced to deal with the Great Heathen Army, a large force of Vikings that had been repelled from Britain by King Alfred the Great in 878, something he dealt with through assassination and bribery. After his cousin Carloman II died in 884, Charles also inherited all of West Francia, reuniting the Carolingian Empire under his reign.<br/><br/> Charles' reunited kingdom did not last long, as a coup in November 887 led by his nephew Arnulf of Carinthia eventually deposed him. He was forced to retire, and soon died of natural causes a year later in January 888, only weeks after his deposition. The Carolingian Empire soon fell apart after his death, split into five successor kingdoms.
Charles III (839-888), more commonly known as Charles the Fat, was the youngest son of Louis the German, King of East Francia, and great-grandson of Emperor Charlemagne. Following the division of East Francia among Louis' sons, Charles inherited Alamannia in 876, but soon inherited the Kingdom of Italy in 876 after his older brother Carloman of Bavaria abdicated.<br/><br/> Charles was eventually crowned as Holy Roman emperor in 881, and succeeded his brother Louis the Younger as king of Saxony and Bavaria a year later, reuniting the Kingdom of East Francia. He was forced to deal with the Great Heathen Army, a large force of Vikings that had been repelled from Britain by King Alfred the Great in 878, something he dealt with through assassination and bribery. After his cousin Carloman II died in 884, Charles also inherited all of West Francia, reuniting the Carolingian Empire under his reign.<br/><br/> Charles' reunited kingdom did not last long, as a coup in November 887 led by his nephew Arnulf of Carinthia eventually deposed him. He was forced to retire, and soon died of natural causes a year later in January 888, only weeks after his deposition. The Carolingian Empire soon fell apart after his death, split into five successor kingdoms.
Louis I (778-840), also known as Louis the Pious, Louis the Fair and Louis the Debonaire, was the sole surviving adult son of Emperor Charlemagne and Hildegard. Louis ruled from Aquitaine, charged by his father with defending the empire's southwestern frontier from the Muslims of Spain. He conquered Barcelona in 801 and asserted Frankish dominance over Pamplona and the Basques south of the Pyrenees in 812. He was named as co-emperor and King of the Franks by his father in 813, before becoming sole ruler in 814.<br/><br/> When he became sole emperor, he appointed his adult sons Lothair, Pepin and Louis to roles in his government, seeking to establish a suitable division of the realm among them. Several embarrassments and tragedies marred his first decade of rule however, including his brutal tratment of his newphew Bernard of Italy, for which he atoned in a public act of self-debasement. In the 830s, the Holy Roman Empire was beset by various civil wars between Louis' sons, made worse when he tried to include his son Charles by his second wife into his succession plans.<br/><br/> Louis was deposed from 833-834, but soon regained his throne and largely restored order to the empire. He died in 840, and three years of civil war followed his death. Ultimately, Louis is generally compared unfavourably to his legendary father, though his reign faced distinctly different problems.
Charlemagne (742/747/748-814), also known as Charles the Great or Charles I was the eldest child of King of the Franks, Pepin the Short. He took the Frankish throne after his father's death in 768, initially co-ruling with his brother Carloman I, who died in 771, leaving Charlemagne as undisputed ruler of the Franks.<br/><br/> Charlemagne considered himself a protector of the papacy, and invaded northern Italy to remove the Lombards from power, becoming King of Italy in 774. He also led incursions into Muslim Spain and campaigned against the Saxons of the east, Christianising them upon penalty of death, resulting in events such as the Massacre of Verden. Uniting large swathes of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages, Charlemagne reached the height of his power when he was crowned 'Emperor of the Romans' in 800, recognised as the true successor of the Roman emperors of old.<br/><br/> Now ruling as Holy Roman emperor, Charlemagne's conquests instigated the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of enlightenment and cultural activity for the Western Church. The Byzantine Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church viewed him more controversially however, with Empress Irene actively supporting Charlemagne's rivals. Charlemagne eventually died in 814, ruling as emperor for just over thirteen years, and was laid to rest in his imperial capital of Aachen, in modern-day Germany. He is often called the 'Father of Europe' (<i>Pater Europae</i>).
Charlemagne (742/747/748-814), also known as Charles the Great or Charles I was the eldest child of King of the Franks, Pepin the Short. He took the Frankish throne after his father's death in 768, initially co-ruling with his brother Carloman I, who died in 771, leaving Charlemagne as undisputed ruler of the Franks.<br/><br/> Charlemagne considered himself a protector of the papacy, and invaded northern Italy to remove the Lombards from power, becoming King of Italy in 774. He also led incursions into Muslim Spain and campaigned against the Saxons of the east, Christianising them upon penalty of death, resulting in events such as the Massacre of Verden. Uniting large swathes of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages, Charlemagne reached the height of his power when he was crowned 'Emperor of the Romans' in 800, recognised as the true successor of the Roman emperors of old.<br/><br/> Now ruling as Holy Roman emperor, Charlemagne's conquests instigated the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of enlightenment and cultural activity for the Western Church. The Byzantine Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church viewed him more controversially however, with Empress Irene actively supporting Charlemagne's rivals. Charlemagne eventually died in 814, ruling as emperor for just over thirteen years, and was laid to rest in his imperial capital of Aachen, in modern-day Germany. He is often called the 'Father of Europe' (<i>Pater Europae</i>).
Charlemagne (742/747/748-814), also known as Charles the Great or Charles I was the eldest child of King of the Franks, Pepin the Short. He took the Frankish throne after his father's death in 768, initially co-ruling with his brother Carloman I, who died in 771, leaving Charlemagne as undisputed ruler of the Franks.<br/><br/> Charlemagne considered himself a protector of the papacy, and invaded northern Italy to remove the Lombards from power, becoming King of Italy in 774. He also led incursions into Muslim Spain and campaigned against the Saxons of the east, Christianising them upon penalty of death, resulting in events such as the Massacre of Verden. Uniting large swathes of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages, Charlemagne reached the height of his power when he was crowned 'Emperor of the Romans' in 800, recognised as the true successor of the Roman emperors of old.<br/><br/> Now ruling as Holy Roman emperor, Charlemagne's conquests instigated the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of enlightenment and cultural activity for the Western Church. The Byzantine Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church viewed him more controversially however, with Empress Irene actively supporting Charlemagne's rivals. Charlemagne eventually died in 814, ruling as emperor for just over thirteen years, and was laid to rest in his imperial capital of Aachen, in modern-day Germany. He is often called the 'Father of Europe' (<i>Pater Europae</i>).
Louis I (778-840), also known as Lous the Pious, Loius the Fair and Louis the Debonaire, was the sole surviving adult son of Emperor Charlemagne and Hildegard. Louis ruled from Aquitaine, charged by his father with defending the empire's southwestern frontier from the Muslims of Spain. He conquered Barcelona in 801 and asserted Frankish dominance over Pamplona and the Basques south of the Pyrenees in 812. He was named as co-emperor and King of the Franks by his father in 813, before becoming sole ruler in 814.<br/><br/> When he became sole emperor, he appointed his adult sons Lothair, Pepin and Louis to roles in his government, seeking to establish a suitable division of the realm among them. Several embarrassments and tragedies marred his first decade of rule however, including his brutal tratment of his newphew Bernard of Italy, for which he atoned in a public act of self-debasement. In the 830s, the Holy Roman Empire was beset by various civil wars between Louis' sons, made worse when he tried to include his son Charles by his second wife into his succession plans.<br/><br/> Louis was deposed from 833-834, but soon regained his throne and largely restored order to the empire. He died in 840, and three years of civil war followed his death. Ultimately, Louis is generally compared unfavourably to his legendary father, though his reign faced distinctly different problems.
Charlemagne (742/747/748-814), also known as Charles the Great or Charles I was the eldest child of King of the Franks, Pepin the Short. He took the Frankish throne after his father's death in 768, initially co-ruling with his brother Carloman I, who died in 771, leaving Charlemagne as undisputed ruler of the Franks.<br/><br/> Charlemagne considered himself a protector of the papacy, and invaded northern Italy to remove the Lombards from power, becoming King of Italy in 774. He also led incursions into Muslim Spain and campaigned against the Saxons of the east, Christianising them upon penalty of death, resulting in events such as the Massacre of Verden. Uniting large swathes of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages, Charlemagne reached the height of his power when he was crowned 'Emperor of the Romans' in 800, recognised as the true successor of the Roman emperors of old.<br/><br/> Now ruling as Holy Roman emperor, Charlemagne's conquests instigated the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of enlightenment and cultural activity for the Western Church. The Byzantine Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church viewed him more controversially however, with Empress Irene actively supporting Charlemagne's rivals. Charlemagne eventually died in 814, ruling as emperor for just over thirteen years, and was laid to rest in his imperial capital of Aachen, in modern-day Germany. He is often called the 'Father of Europe' (Pater Europae).
Charlemagne (742/747/748-814), also known as Charles the Great or Charles I was the eldest child of King of the Franks, Pepin the Short. He took the Frankish throne after his father's death in 768, initially co-ruling with his brother Carloman I, who died in 771, leaving Charlemagne as undisputed ruler of the Franks.<br/><br/> Charlemagne considered himself a protector of the papacy, and invaded northern Italy to remove the Lombards from power, becoming King of Italy in 774. He also led incursions into Muslim Spain and campaigned against the Saxons of the east, Christianising them upon penalty of death, resulting in events such as the Massacre of Verden. Uniting large swathes of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages, Charlemagne reached the height of his power when he was crowned 'Emperor of the Romans' in 800, recognised as the true successor of the Roman emperors of old.<br/><br/> Now ruling as Holy Roman emperor, Charlemagne's conquests instigated the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of enlightenment and cultural activity for the Western Church. The Byzantine Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Church viewed him more controversially however, with Empress Irene actively supporting Charlemagne's rivals. Charlemagne eventually died in 814, ruling as emperor for just over thirteen years, and was laid to rest in his imperial capital of Aachen, in modern-day Germany. He is often called the 'Father of Europe' (Pater Europae).
Detail of a portrait of a young Charles V (1500-1558), 30th Holy Roman emperor, oil on wood painting by Bernhard Strigel (1461-1528), c. 1516.<br/><br/> Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was ruler of both the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and the Spanish Empire (as Charles I of Spain) from 1516, as well as of the lands of the former Duchy of Burgundy from 1506. He stepped down from these and other positions by a series of abdications between 1554 and 1556.
Henry IV (1050-1106), son of Emperor Henry III, was crowned King of Germany in 1056 after his father's death, though his young age meant his mother ruled as regent in his stead. He was kidnapped in the Coup of Kaiserswerth in 1062, a conspiracy led by the Archbishop of Cologne Anno II, who ruled the Holy Roman Empire while supervising over Henry's education and training.<br/><br/> When Anno was absent from Germany for a period, Henry managed to wrest back control of the government, and spent much of his reign consolidating his imperial power. The Investiture Controversy occurred during his rule, one of the most significant conflicts between Church and state in mediaeval Europe. Several civil wars were also waged over his throne, in both Germany and Italy, and while launching a third punitive expdition into Italy in 1093, Henry's son Conrad turned against him, crowned as King of Italy by one of Henry's fiercest foes, Matilda of Tuscany.<br/><br/> Henry finally formally deposed Conrad in 1098 and named his younger son Henry V as his successor. However, Henry V later also turned on his father in 1104, encouraged by the pope who had once again excommunicated his father. He was imprisoned and forced to resign his crown, though he escaped in 1106 and began to amass considerable support to his name. He defeated his son, but died soon afterwards from an illness. Henry was one of the most powerful and important figures of the 11th century.
Lothair I (795-855), also known as Lothar I, was the eldest son of Emperor Louis the Pious and grew up in the court of his grandfather, Emperor Charlemagne. When Louis became sole emperor in 814, he sent Lothair to govern Bavaria in 815. Lothair was crowned as co-emperor and declared as principal heir in 817, and would be overlord to his younger brothers, Pippin of Aquitaine and Louis the German, as well as his cousin Bernard of Italy.<br/><br/> When his father died in 840, Lothair ignored all previous plans for partitioning and claimed the whole of the Holy Roman Empire for himself, leading to another civil war which lasted around three years.
Manuscript painting of Henry V (1081/1086-1125), 19th Holy Roman emperor, being given an orb by Ruthard, Archbishop of Mainz, c. 1128.<br/><br/> Henry V (1081/1086-1125) was the son of Emperor Henry IV, and in 1099 was crowned as King of Germany and his true successor in place of his older brother Conrad, who had rebelled against their father.