Charles V and Philip II: Habsburg Dynasty in Spain
Charles V: Emperor of Spain and the Holy Roman Empire
Charles V was born in Ghent (Flanders) in 1500. In 1516, he became King of Spain, known as Charles I of Spain and Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire. He inherited a vast dynasty from both sides of his family.
Territories Inherited by Charles V
- Castile: From Joanna
- Aragon: From Ferdinand II
- Austria: From Maximilian I
- Burgundy: From Mary
The Revolt of the Comuneros
The Revolt of the Comuneros in 1520 was led by the nobles, bourgeoisie, and peasants of Castile. Charles I’s election was very expensive, and taxes were increased to finance it. The royal army defeated the Comuneros at the Battle of Villalar in 1521. Key leaders of the Comuneros included Juan Padilla, Juan Bravo, and Francisco Maldonado. In essence, this was a conflict between craftsmen and landowners over the control of wool production.
Foreign Policies of Charles V
The Papacy: The Church feared that Charles V’s imperial power would rival and possibly control it, especially after the Sack of Rome in 1527 when imperial troops assaulted and sacked the papal capital.
France: Surrounded by the Empire’s territories, France consistently opposed the Habsburgs’ European hegemony. King Francis I of France and Charles V fought against each other four times. The rivalry with France continued throughout Charles’s lifetime.
The Ottoman Empire: Defending Christianity against the Muslims was crucial, particularly against the Ottoman Turks. Charles V took Tunis in 1535 but was defeated in Algiers in 1541.
Lutherans: Charles V was a staunch Catholic supporter. At Mühlberg, he defeated the German Protestant princes who supported Lutheranism.
Charles V’s Financial Troubles
The wars were expensive, requiring significant resources. The army consisted of volunteers. A complex administrative system, made up of officials, was necessary. The Royal Treasury (Hacienda Real) went into debt, and the emperor had to borrow from German and Italian bankers.
Philip II: The Prudent King of Spain
Philip II, known as “The Prudent” (1556-1598), was the son of Charles I and Isabella of Portugal.
- He inherited Portugal and joined it to the Monarchy.
- Madrid became the capital.
- He reinforced Catholicism with religiocentric policies, such as revitalizing the Spanish Inquisition and pressuring the Moriscos.
Morisco Revolt and Religious Persecution
- 1568: Morisco Revolt in Granada, led by Muley Hassan, against obligatory integration policies like religious conversion or relocation plans. John of Austria (the King’s half-brother) suppressed the revolt. This was a precedent to the Expulsion of the Moriscos in 1609.
- Persecution of Protestants, Alumbrados, and false converts. Limits were placed on cultural exchange with foreigners. There was an aristocratic emphasis on the “purity of blood” of Christians (limpieza de sangre).
Supranational Monarchy of Philip II
Main courts were in Castile, Toledo, Madrid, and Valladolid. A polysinodial system (different institutions called councils) was used. Territorial councils inherited other previous courts. Secretaries controlled the system.
Foreign Policies of Philip II
- France: Problems with Henry II led to the signing of a peace treaty in 1559.
- Ottomans: They attempted to conquer Malta and the Western Mediterranean.
- Dutch Revolt: War began in 1568.
- Flanders: Periodic instability related to economic changes.
- England: Philip II became a prince by marrying Mary Tudor. He supported Calvinist and Lutheran revolts.