= Charles IV = '''Charles IV''' (''Karel'') was king of [[Czechia/Monarchs#Kingdom_of_Bohemia|Bohemia]] and [[WorldHistory/HolyRomanEmpire|Holy Roman Emperor]]. <> ---- == History == Charles IV was raised and educated in the court of '''Charles IV''', king of France. In 1333, Charles IV began to administer the crown lands on behalf of his father, '''John'''. He was granted the margraviate of [[Czechia/Monarchs#Margraviate_of_Moravia|Moravia]] the year after. In 1336, Charles IV became regent for his brother [[Czechia/JohnHenry|John]]. ---- == Reign == === Bohemia === '''John''' died on August 26, 1346. Charles IV sought to connect the Bohemian crown lands. John had obtained lands in Upper Lusatia and vassalized Silesia. Charles IV invaded and purchased the margraviate of [[Germany/Monarchs#Margraviate_of_Brandenburg|Brandenburg]] and obtained lands across Lower Lusatia, the Upper Palatinate, and Franconia. Charles IV gifted [[Czechia/Monarchs#Margraviate_of_Moravia|Moravia]] to his brother [[Czechia/JohnHenry|John]]. He also raised [[Luxembourg/Monarchs#Duchy_of_Luxembourg|Luxembourg]] to a duchy and gifted it to his other brother '''Wenceslaus I'''. === Holy Roman Empire === In July 1346, Pope '''Clement VI''' deposed '''Louis IV''' as [[WorldHistory/HolyRomanEmpire|Holy Roman Emperor]]. In November, Charles IV was elected to replace him. Charles IV initially had little authority in Germany, and owed the title purely to the pope's favor; he was referred to as ''Pfaffenkonig'' ("priest's king"). The [[WorldHistory/HolyRomanEmpire/FreeImperialCities|free cities]] of Cologne and Aachen did not recognize the election. Louis IV died on October 11, 1347. Opponents of Charles IV now backed '''Gunther XXI''' as emperor, but he was forced to renounce the claim on May 26, 1349 after defeat in the '''Battle of Eltville'''. Charles IV was re-elected in June 1349 and finally crowned in [[Germany/Aachen|Aachen]] on July 25, 1349. Charles IV established [[Czechia/Prague|Prague]] as the imperial capital. ---- == Legacy == The reign of Charles IV is considered the height of Bohemian (and Czech) power. ---- CategoryRicottone