King Charles V became king of the greatest Spanish dynasty in Europe in 1516.  He was the grandson of the famous Catholic rulers, Ferdinand and Isabella.  He became the king of Spain at the age of sixteen after his father had died.  King Charles V grew up in a royal family with all the royal privileges.  At the age of six he inherited the Netherlands and later ruled Germany, Italy, parts of Africa, and the Americas.  In his day, he ruled the greatest dynasty in Europe and became know as the Holy Roman Emperor in 1519.  King Charles V had a goal of uniting his Spanish Empire with Christianity and becoming its political ruler, just like the pope was the religious ruler.

King Charles desire for more power and wealth encouraged explorers, such as Hernán Cortés, to seek out and conquer new lands- at whatever price.  King Charles V re-structured the Aztec government in his favor, taxing the Aztecs and taking what ever he wanted, which was primarily gold and slaves.  King Charles V never went into battle himself, but struggled with running his vast empire.  After many years he retreated to a Spanish monastery and spent the rest of his days there until his death in 1558.  King Charles V left his empire to his son Philip II.
 
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