Emperor: A New Life of Charles V
Geoffrey Parker
Parker's definitive biography of the ruler who held Spain, the Low Countries, and the Empire.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Suleiman the Magnificent
Ottoman Empire
1520–1556
Henry VIII of England
England
1516–1547
Charles V
Holy Roman Empire
1519–1556
Jiajing Emperor of Ming
China
1521–1556
Humayun
Mughal Empire
1531–1540
Francis I of France
France
1516–1547
John III of Portugal
Portugal
1521–1556
Selim I
Ottoman Empire
1516–1520
Babur
Mughal Empire
1526–1531
Mary I
England
1553–1556
Emperor Go-Nara
Japan
1526–1556
Gustav I of Sweden
Sweden
1523–1556
James V of Scotland
Scotland
1516–1542
Ashikaga Yoshiharu
Japan (Shogunate)
1522–1547
Henry II of France
France
1547–1556
Pope Paul III
Papacy
1534–1549
Mary, Queen of Scots
Scotland
1542–1556
Edward VI of England
England
1547–1553
Emperor Go-Kashiwabara
Japan
1516–1526
Pope Clement VII
Papacy
1523–1534
Zhengde Emperor
China
1516–1521
Ashikaga Yoshiteru
Japan (Shogunate)
1547–1556
Manuel I of Portugal
Portugal
1516–1521
Pope Leo X
Papacy
1516–1521
Ashikaga Yoshitane
Japan (Shogunate)
1516–1522
Maximilian I
Holy Roman Empire
1516–1519
Pope Julius III
Papacy
1550–1555
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Charles V's life and times.
Imperial Spain, 1469–1716
J. H. Elliott
Elliott's classic survey, essential background for Charles V's Spanish inheritance.
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