Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor from 1355 to 1378 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor?
Summarize this article for a 10 years old
Charles IV (Czech: Karel IV.; German: Karl IV.; Latin: Carolus IV; 14 May 1316 – 29 November 1378[1]), also known as Charles of Luxembourg, born Wenceslaus (Czech: Václav, German: Wenzel),[2] was the first King of Bohemia to become Holy Roman Emperor. He was a member of the House of Luxembourg from his father's side and the Bohemian House of Přemyslid from his mother's side; he emphasized the latter due to his lifelong affinity for the Bohemian side of his inheritance, and also because his direct ancestors in the Přemyslid line included two saints.[3][4]
| Charles IV | |
|---|---|
 Charles IV in the Votive Panel of Jan Očko of Vlašim | |
| King of Bohemia | |
| Reign | 26 August 1346 – 29 November 1378 |
| Coronation | 2 September 1347, Prague |
| Predecessor | John |
| Successor | Wenceslaus IV |
| King of the Romans (Roman-German King) | |
| Reign | 11 July 1346 – 29 November 1378 |
| Coronation | 26 November 1346, Bonn |
| Predecessor | Louis IV |
| Successor | Wenceslaus |
| Holy Roman Emperor King of Italy | |
| Reign | 1355 – 29 November 1378 |
| Coronation | |
| Predecessor | Louis IV |
| Successor | Sigismund |
| Born | 14 May 1316 Prague |
| Died | 29 November 1378 (aged 62) Prague |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | |
| House | Luxembourg |
| Father | John of Bohemia |
| Mother | Elisabeth of Bohemia |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
He was the eldest son and heir of John of Bohemia, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, who died at the Battle of Crécy on 26 August 1346. His mother, Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, was the sister of Wenceslaus III, King of Bohemia and Poland, the last of the male Přemyslid rulers of Bohemia. Charles inherited the County of Luxembourg from his father and was elected king of the Kingdom of Bohemia. On 2 September 1347, Charles was crowned King of Bohemia.
On 11 July 1346, the prince-electors chose him as King of the Romans (rex Romanorum) in opposition to Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles was crowned on 26 November 1346 in Bonn. After his opponent died, he was re-elected in 1349 and crowned King of the Romans. In 1355, he was crowned King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor. With his coronation as King of Burgundy in 1365, he became the personal ruler of all the kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire.
Having played a tremendous part in the political and cultural history of the Kingdom of Bohemia, he remains a very popular figure in the Czech Republic. The Golden Bull of 1356 marked a structural change in the politics of the Holy Roman Empire. Several aspects of his legacy remain a contentious matter though. The image of Charles as a wise, pious, peace-loving king (partly constructed by Charles himself) has proved influential until this day, supported by several artistic or scholarly projects produced during Charles's reign or afterwards.