Charles V (Charles Léopold Nicolas Sixte; 3 April 1643 – 18 April 1690), son of Nicholas Francis, Duke of Lorraine, and Claude Françoise of Lorraine. Charles was born in Vienna, became the brother in law of Emperor Leopold, and son in law of Emperor Ferdinand III. He was a second cousin once removed of his contemporary Louis XIV through the king's grandmother Marie de' Medici. He was from a long established family of Lorraine, who had to take refuge from the forces of France. However, he managed to become the titular Duke of Lorraine in 1675 at a time when Lorraine was occupied by France. Since 1663 he had been in imperial Habsburg service and had a very notable military career. In 1683 he became an imperial generalissimo.

Charles V was the nephew of Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine, who was forced to briefly abdicate his title to his younger brother, Nicholas Francis, when the French invaded Lorraine in 1634. The French withdrew from the Duchy in 1661, but then invaded it once again in 1670.

Charles V Duke of Lorraine was born on April 3, 1643 to Nicolas Francis in Vienna. Charles V's claim to the duchy was not recognized by his uncle, Charles IV. Since his prospects were not good he officially joined the court of Vienna in 1662. He became a distinguished soldier in service to the Habsburgs and competed twice unsuccessfully for election as King of Poland.

The Duke was able to first distinguish himself at the Battle of Saint Gotthard in 1664. He was under the service of Montecuccoli, the Imperial Generalissimo at the time. When they were flanked by the enemy, Charles was able to repel them and help win the battle. He continued to be involved in the wars the Habsburgs fought with the French. He received a head wound at the Battle of Seneffe in 1674. Charles was present at the Siege of Philippsburg in 1676. He attained the rank of Field-Marshal in 1676. During this time he also survived a bout of smallpox, and in 1678 he survived falling off a bridge at Philippsburg. He was appointed the Emperor's vicerory in the Tirol. At the Treaty of Nijmegen in 1679 it was confirmed that he was Duke of Lorraine but he was still not allowed to be ruler of the province.

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