Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire at the time when the Reformation broke out in Europe. He was generally tolerant of religious freedom for his subjects provided they fought with him against the French, for whom he had little good to say. Faced with constant warfare on two fronts—France in the west and the rapaciously ambitious Ottomans in the east—he bankrupted his Empire despite the new-found riches coming home from the Americas. He abdicated in favour of his son in 1556.
©ALBERITH