I
Spanish Carlos
born Nov. 11, 1748, Portici, Kingdom of Naples
died Jan. 20, 1819, Rome
King of Spain (1788–1808) during the turbulent period of the French Revolution .
Son of Charles III , he lacked leadership qualities and entrusted the government to Napoleon again occupied northern Spain in 1807, Charles was forced to abdicate (1808) and go into exile.
II
known as Charles the Fair
born 1294
died Feb. 1, 1328, Vincennes, Fr.
King of France and of Navarre (as Charles I) 1322–28.
The last of the direct line of the Capetian dynasty, he took the throne on the death of his brother Philip V. His intrigues aimed at gaining the German throne and annexing Flanders were unsuccessful. He renewed war with England by invading Aquitaine and won a generous settlement in the peace of 1327.
III
orig. Wenceslas known as Charles of Luxembourg
born May 14, 1316, Prague
died Nov. 29, 1378, Prague
King of the Germans and of Bohemia (1346–78) and Holy Roman emperor (1355–78).
Charles was elected German king in place of {{link=Louis">Louis IV in 1346. That same year his father died in a war against England, and Charles became king of Bohemia. He invaded Italy and won the crown of Lombardy as well as the imperial crown at Rome. Charles enlarged his dynastic power through skillful diplomacy and made Prague the political and cultural center of the empire. He issued the Golden Bull of 1356 and won the right of succession to the German throne for his son Wenceslas .