Unit 3: Abdication of Charles V

Authors Bio- Charles the V was the Holy roman emperor and king of Spain. He was also a catholic Christian. He died after two years of his abdication in 1558. Although most of his time was spent at war, Charles was a lover of peace.  The Habsburg Monarchy passed to Charles's younger brother Ferdinand, whereas the Spanish Empire was inherited by his son Philip II. The two empires would remain allies until the 18th century. Charles was only 56 when he abdicated, but after 34 years of rule he became exhausted and sought the peace of a monastery where he died at age 58.

Speaker- See above

Date and Context- The speech was given in 1556 when Charles was 56 years old and tired from the protest an reformation.

Summary- This speech was essentially Charles V's "retirement speech" from being Holy Roman Emperor. Being as tired as he was for holding the empire for so long, Charles decided to announce his voluntary abdication announcing his brother as the new holy roman emperor and his son Phillip the king of the Spain. He presents himself to people as the follower of God and a Catholic believing the Ideas of church and stating the importance of the follower of the church. He also describes his struggles and the political consequences that he had suffered in his time, and finally goes on to thank the people.

Key Quotation-" I am determined to retire to spain, to yield my son Phillip the possession of all my states and to my brother the king of all the romans and empire".