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lapse of church unity marked the
end of theology as the decisive
force in Western civilization," a
West German political figure,
Franz Josef Strauss, will observe
centuries later.
Four Monarchs
In the meantime, a rather compli–
cated situation has developed in the
political arena.
Geopolitical events in the early
16th century revolve around four
powerful monarch s: Emperor
Charles V, Francis 1 of France,
Henry VIII of England, and Sulei–
man of Turkey.
In the same year Charles is
crowned at Aachen ( 1520), a new
Turkish sultan had ascended the
throne in Constantinople-Sulei–
man, known to Turkish history as
"the Magnificent." The Ottoman
Turks control the eastern Mediter–
ranean and are viewed as a menace
to Christian Europe.
But the main foe of the Habs–
burgs is France. France has
emerged as a majar continental
power and an aggressive antagonist
of the German empire. Habsburg
power a11 but surrounds France. In
response, Francis 1 allies himself
with the Islamic Turks and Ger–
man Protestants, despite the fact
that he is a French Catholic king.
In England, Henry VIII seeks to
maintain the balance of power to
prevent the domination of Europe
by either the Habsburgs or France.
He shifts his support from side to
side as circumstances require,
equalizing the power of the conti–
nental rivals.
Holy Roman Emperor
Jn 1525, a defensive alliance is
created to check growing Habsburg
power. lt is the Holy League of
Cognac, made up of France, the
Papal States, Rome and Venice.
England supports the new league.
Early in 1527, mutinous troops
of Charles V march against the
Pope. They enter the defenseless
city of Rome and plunder it. This is
the infamous
sacco di Roma-the
Sack of Rome. The Pope, Clement
VII, surrenders.
The Pope is ready for a compro–
mise. He makes peace with
Charles, and meets with him in
Bologn~
in February 1530. There,
36
Pope Clement crowns Charles Holy
Roman Emperor. This is the last
time that a Holy Roman Emperor
will be crowned by a Pope.
Charles believes the Emperor
must be supreme if there is to be
real peace. But the imperial title is
not what it used to be. The Empire
has more shadow than substance.
Charles' globe-girdling Empire
is united only in the sense that it
has a common personal ruler. The
nation-state is on the rise, and the
Empire is torn religiously. Charles
is opposed by princes whose own
power is stronger when the Emper–
or is weak.
The very extent of Charles' vast
realm is in itself a drawback. There
are too many problems in too many
places. The pólitical situation is
di re.
In 1546, open civil war erupts
between the Schmalkaldic League
and Catholic forces led by Charles.
The imperial armies score a victory
over the League at Mühlberg in
April 1547.
But a new war breaks out in
1551.
It
wears on for four years.
In September 1555, the Peace of
Augsburg ·ends the hostilities. This
compromise officially sanctions the
Lutheran faith in tbe Empire.
Now, the two opposing Christian
religious communities can lawfully
live together within the Holy
Roman Empire side by side. The
princes of the territories of the
Empire .. can choose between Lu–
theranism or Catholicism, each
prince's choice being made obliga–
tory for his subjects.
Charles' dream of restoring reli–
gious unity throughout his domin–
ions has been thwarted. And by
further entrenching the power of
the princes, the Augsburg settle–
ment reinforces the decentraliza–
tion of the Germanies.
Historical lnspiration for Today
Disappointed in his ambitions and
ill of health, Charles V abdicates
and reti res to a monastery in
August 1556. He turns over the
rule of Spain, the Netherlands and
ltalian holdings to his son Philip Il.
To his brother Ferdinand goes the
imperial office and Habsburg lands
in central Europe.
After 35 years' rule, Charles–
the last universal Emperor of the
West-steps aside. Historians will
consider him to have been the
greatest monarch to bear the
imperial crown since Charlemagne.
He dies September 21, 1558.
Charles V was the last Emperor
to actively attempt to realize the
medieval ideal of a unified Empire
embracing the entire Christian
world. Inspired by the concept of a
spiritually and politically united
Christian realm, he had fought vig–
orously for a united Church.
More than four centuries after
the death of Charles, a 20th-cen–
tury descendant- Otto von Habs–
burg- wi11 write a biography of his
illustrious ancestor. Dr. Habsburg
will observe that "he [Charles V]
was attempting not to conquer orto
domínate, but to establish the
nations in a free community of
equal partners. His ultimate aim
was to create an a11iance of peoples
who, while retaining their own
individual characteristics and laws,
would be línked together by a
united Church and a common
desire to defend the west."
Dr. Habsburg will also note:
"The ideas coming to the surface in
this, the second half of the twen–
tieth century, are surprisingly
allied to those problems and con–
cepts
which
preoccupied
Charles.... Together with ecume–
nicity [tbe movement promoting
Christian unity], European unity
has become the major issue of our
time.... The notion of a united
Europe is taking hold again. People
are once again beginning to appre–
ciate that religion and politics are
indeed interdependent.... "
In assessing the role of Charles
V, Dr. Habsburg will observe:
"Thus Charles V, once regarded
as tbe last fighter in a rearguard
action,
is
suddenly seen to have
been a forerunner.... Our genera–
tion will find its historical inspira–
tion in the concepts last embodied
in the person, mind and política!
views of Charles V....
"Inasmuch as he represents an
eterna! ideal, the Emperor [Charles
V], after more than five centuries,
is sti11 living among us- not <;>nly as
our European ancestor, but as a
guide towards the centuries to
come."
(Continued in March issue:"France
Struggles for Supremacy. " )
o
The PLAIN TRUTH