Charles IV | |
---|---|
King of Bohemia | |
Reign | 26 August 1346 – 29 November 1378 |
Coronation | 2 September 1347, Prague |
Predecessor | John |
Successor | Wenceslaus IV |
King of the Romans | |
Reign | 11 July 1346 – 29 November 1378 |
Coronation | 26 November 1346, Bonn |
Predecessor | Louis IV |
Successor | Wenceslaus IV |
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 | St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague |
Spouse | |
Issue | |
House | Luxembourg |
Father | John of Bohemia |
Mother | Elisabeth of Bohemia |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Charles IV (Czech: Karel IV., German: Karl IV., Latin: Carolus IV; 14 May 1316 – 29 November 1378), born Wenceslaus, was a King of Bohemia and the first King of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor. He was a member of the House of Luxembourg from his father's side and the House of Přemyslid from his mother's side, which he emphasised, because it gave him two saints as direct ancestors.
He was the eldest son and heir of King John of Bohemia, who died at the Battle of Crécy on 26 August 1346. 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 Emperor Louis IV. 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.
Charles IV was born to King John of the Luxembourg dynasty and Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia of the Czech Premyslid Dynasty in Prague. He was originally named Wenceslaus (Václav), the name of his maternal grandfather, King Wenceslaus II. He chose the name Charles at his confirmation in honor of his uncle, King Charles IV of France, at whose court he was resident for seven years.