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'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.
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.
Charles IV (1316-1378), born Wenceslaus, was the eldest son of King John of Bohemia and grandson of Emperor Henry VII, making him part of the Luxembourg dynasty. He spent several years in the court of his uncle, King Charles IV of France, after whom he would rename himself during his coronation.<br/><br/> In 1346, Charles was chosen as King of Germany by Pope Clement VI and some of the prince-electors in opposition to Emperor Louis IV. He was seen by many as a papal puppet and the 'Priests' King' due to the extensive concessions he had to make to the pope. His initial position was weak, but the sudden death of Louis in 1347 prevented a longer civil war, allowing Charles to claim the throne of Germany and Bohemia, after his father's death during the Battle of Crecy the year previous.<br/><br/> Charles was crowned King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, and later became King of Burgundy in 1365, making him the personal ruler of all the kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire. In the latter years of his reign, Charles took little part in the actual running of German affairs apart from securing the election of his son Wenceslaus as King of Germany in 1376. He died in 1378, having long suffered from gout.
Charles IV (1316-1378), born Wenceslaus, was the eldest son of King John of Bohemia and grandson of Emperor Henry VII, making him part of the Luxembourg dynasty. He spent several years in the court of his uncle, King Charles IV of France, after whom he would rename himself during his coronation.<br/><br/> In 1346, Charles was chosen as King of Germany by Pope Clement VI and some of the prince-electors in opposition to Emperor Louis IV. He was seen by many as a papal puppet and the 'Priests' King' due to the extensive concessions he had to make to the pope. His initial position was weak, but the sudden death of Louis in 1347 prevented a longer civil war, allowing Charles to claim the throne of Germany and Bohemia, after his father's death during the Battle of Crecy the year previous.<br/><br/> Charles was crowned King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, and later became King of Burgundy in 1365, making him the personal ruler of all the kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire. In the latter years of his reign, Charles took little part in the actual running of German affairs apart from securing the election of his son Wenceslaus as King of Germany in 1376. He died in 1378, having long suffered from gout.
Charles IV (1316-1378), born Wenceslaus, was the eldest son of King John of Bohemia and grandson of Emperor Henry VII, making him part of the Luxembourg dynasty. He spent several years in the court of his uncle, King Charles IV of France, after whom he would rename himself during his coronation.<br/><br/> In 1346, Charles was chosen as King of Germany by Pope Clement VI and some of the prince-electors in opposition to Emperor Louis IV. He was seen by many as a papal puppet and the 'Priests' King' due to the extensive concessions he had to make to the pope. His initial position was weak, but the sudden death of Louis in 1347 prevented a longer civil war, allowing Charles to claim the throne of Germany and Bohemia, after his father's death during the Battle of Crecy the year previous.<br/><br/> Charles was crowned King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, and later became King of Burgundy in 1365, making him the personal ruler of all the kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire. In the latter years of his reign, Charles took little part in the actual running of German affairs apart from securing the election of his son Wenceslaus as King of Germany in 1376. He died in 1378, having long suffered from gout.
Charles IV (1316-1378), born Wenceslaus, was the eldest son of King John of Bohemia and grandson of Emperor Henry VII, making him part of the Luxembourg dynasty. He spent several years in the court of his uncle, King Charles IV of France, after whom he would rename himself during his coronation.<br/><br/> In 1346, Charles was chosen as King of Germany by Pope Clement VI and some of the prince-electors in opposition to Emperor Louis IV. He was seen by many as a papal puppet and the 'Priests' King' due to the extensive concessions he had to make to the pope. His initial position was weak, but the sudden death of Louis in 1347 prevented a longer civil war, allowing Charles to claim the throne of Germany and Bohemia, after his father's death during the Battle of Crecy the year previous.<br/><br/> Charles was crowned King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, and later became King of Burgundy in 1365, making him the personal ruler of all the kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire. In the latter years of his reign, Charles took little part in the actual running of German affairs apart from securing the election of his son Wenceslaus as King of Germany in 1376. He died in 1378, having long suffered from gout.
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.
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.
Wenceslaus IV (1361-1419), also known as Wenceslaus of Bohemia and Wenceslaus the Idle, was the son of Emperor Charles IV and became King of Bohemia in 1363, aged only two. He was elected as King of Germany in 1376 by the actions of his father, who passed away in 1378, making Wenceslaus sole ruler of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire.
Wenceslaus IV (1361-1419), also known as Wenceslaus of Bohemia and Wenceslaus the Idle, was the son of Emperor Charles IV and became King of Bohemia in 1363, aged only two. He was elected as King of Germany in 1376 by the actions of his father, who passed away in 1378, making Wenceslaus sole ruler of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire.
Charles IV (1316-1378), born Wenceslaus, was the eldest son of King John of Bohemia and grandson of Emperor Henry VII, making him part of the Luxembourg dynasty. He spent several years in the court of his uncle, King Charles IV of France, after whom he would rename himself during his coronation.<br/><br/> In 1346, Charles was chosen as King of Germany by Pope Clement VI and some of the prince-electors in opposition to Emperor Louis IV. He was seen by many as a papal puppet and the 'Priests' King' due to the extensive concessions he had to make to the pope. His initial position was weak, but the sudden death of Louis in 1347 prevented a longer civil war, allowing Charles to claim the throne of Germany and Bohemia, after his father's death during the Battle of Crecy the year previous.<br/><br/> Charles was crowned King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, and later became King of Burgundy in 1365, making him the personal ruler of all the kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire. In the latter years of his reign, Charles took little part in the actual running of German affairs apart from securing the election of his son Wenceslaus as King of Germany in 1376. He died in 1378, having long suffered from gout.
Charles IV (1316-1378), born Wenceslaus, was the eldest son of King John of Bohemia and grandson of Emperor Henry VII, making him part of the Luxembourg dynasty. He spent several years in the court of his uncle, King Charles IV of France, after whom he would rename himself during his coronation.<br/><br/> In 1346, Charles was chosen as King of Germany by Pope Clement VI and some of the prince-electors in opposition to Emperor Louis IV. He was seen by many as a papal puppet and the 'Priests' King' due to the extensive concessions he had to make to the pope. His initial position was weak, but the sudden death of Louis in 1347 prevented a longer civil war, allowing Charles to claim the throne of Germany and Bohemia, after his father's death during the Battle of Crecy the year previous.<br/><br/> Charles was crowned King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, and later became King of Burgundy in 1365, making him the personal ruler of all the kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire. In the latter years of his reign, Charles took little part in the actual running of German affairs apart from securing the election of his son Wenceslaus as King of Germany in 1376. He died in 1378, having long suffered from gout.
Henry VII (1275-1313) was the son of Count Henry VI of Luxembourg, and he was raised in the French court. When he became Count of Luxembourg and Arion in 1288, he sought the protection of King Philip the Fair of France, becoming a French vassal rather than remain under the weak rule of the Holy Roman Empire.<br/><br/> Henry became involved in the political machinations after King Albert I's death in 1308, chosen as a compromise condidate by the electors who feared King Philip's, and consequently France's, attempts to get his brother elected as the next German King. He was crowned in 1309 after some skillful negotiation, and was crowned as Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Clement V in 1312, the title having been vacant since Emperor Frederick II's death in 1250. He renewed imperial interest in Italy, launching an Italian expedition in 1310 and being crowned King of Italy in 1311.<br/><br/> It was while waging his campaign to unite Italy under the Holy Roman Empire and fighting against King Robert of Naples in 1313 that Henry died, suddenly succumbing to malaria while besieging the Guelph (anti-Imperial Italians) city of Siena. The hopes for an effective Imperial presence in Italy died with him, ensuring that central power in Italian policy remained in Robert's hands.
Henry VII (1275-1313) was the son of Count Henry VI of Luxembourg, and he was raised in the French court. When he became Count of Luxembourg and Arion in 1288, he sought the protection of King Philip the Fair of France, becoming a French vassal rather than remain under the weak rule of the Holy Roman Empire.<br/><br/> Henry became involved in the political machinations after King Albert I's death in 1308, chosen as a compromise condidate by the electors who feared King Philip's, and consequently France's, attempts to get his brother elected as the next German King. He was crowned in 1309 after some skillful negotiation, and was crowned as Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Clement V in 1312, the title having been vacant since Emperor Frederick II's death in 1250. He renewed imperial interest in Italy, launching an Italian expedition in 1310 and being crowned King of Italy in 1311.<br/><br/> It was while waging his campaign to unite Italy under the Holy Roman Empire and fighting against King Robert of Naples in 1313 that Henry died, suddenly succumbing to malaria while besieging the Guelph (anti-Imperial Italians) city of Siena. The hopes for an effective Imperial presence in Italy died with him, ensuring that central power in Italian policy remained in Robert's hands.
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.