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Charles IV of Luxembourg

An emperor of the House of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, he made Prague one of Europe’s leading political and cultural centres. The Golden Bull of 1356 established a lasting framework for imperial elections.

1316 – 1378EmperorLuxembourg · ES
Explore this family · Spanish AtlasBack to people
Portrait of Charles IV of Luxembourg
Historical portraitCharles IV in a medieval wall painting (photograph by Elke Wetzig)Unknown medieval painter · Fourteenth centuryHansasaal, Cologne City HallPublic domain · PD-Art / PDM 1.0 · Source
Biography

Life of Charles IV of Luxembourg

Education in Paris

The son of John the Blind of Luxembourg and Elizabeth of Bohemia, he was born in Prague in 1316 as Wenceslaus. He was educated at the French court, where he took the name Charles after his godfather, Charles IV, and was taught by the future Pope Clement VI. From 1333 he governed Bohemia on his father’s behalf.

References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

King and emperor

Elected King of the Romans in 1346 against Louis of Bavaria, he became King of Bohemia that year after his father’s death at Crécy. He prevailed after Louis died in 1347 and was crowned emperor in Rome in 1355. The Golden Bull of 1356 established election by seven prince-electors, a rule that lasted until 1806.

References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

Prague as a capital

In Prague he founded Central Europe’s first university in 1348, the New Town and the bridge bearing his name, as well as Karlštejn Castle; he also secured the elevation of the bishopric to an archbishopric. Through purchases, inheritances and agreements, he added Lusatia, Silesia and, temporarily, Brandenburg to the Bohemian Crown.

References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

Preparing the succession

He married four times and secured his son Wenceslaus’s election as King of the Romans during his lifetime in 1376. He died in Prague in 1378, at the beginning of the Western Schism. His sons Wenceslaus and Sigismund inherited Bohemia and imperial authority; Sigismund also became King of Hungary and emperor.

References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 14 May 1316 Documented

Death: 29 November 1378 Documented

Role: Emperor

Dynasty: Luxembourg · ES

Territories: Bohemia (ES) · Holy Roman Empire (ES) · Germany (ES) · Silesia (ES) · Moravia (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
King · Bohemia · Reign Pending review1346–1378Effective rule
King of the Romans · Germany · Reign Pending review1346–1347RivalRival election against Louis IV.
King of the Romans · Germany · Reign Pending review1348–1378Effective rule
Emperor · Holy Roman Empire · Empire Pending review1355–1378Effective rule
Sovereign · Silesia · Government Inferred1346–1378Effective ruleThe enfeoffed princes and the bishop of Nysa retain their own governments. The area represents superior sovereignty; Schweidnitz-Jauer was incorporated in 1392. Greater Poland, Lusatia and Glatz are excluded. This does not derive from the imperial office.
Margrave · Moravia · Margraviate Documented1334–1348Effective ruleMoravian title from early 1334; John Henry received the margraviate in 1349.
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Children
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Charles IV of Luxembourg. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1348

  • Crown of Saint Wenceslaus3 titles and offices
    View titles and jurisdictions
    • Bohemia · ESKing · Effective rule1346–1378
    • Silesia · ESSovereign · Effective rule · Overlordship of the Bohemian crown over the Silesian duchies; not direct ducal possession1346–1378 · The enfeoffed princes and the bishop of Nysa retain their own governments. The area represents superior sovereignty; Schweidnitz-Jauer was incorporated in 1392. Greater Poland, Lusatia and Glatz are excluded. This does not derive from the imperial office.
    • Moravia · ESMargrave · Effective rule1334–1348 · Moravian title from early 1334; John Henry received the margraviate in 1349.

    The Lands of the Bohemian Crown (Corona regni Bohemiae), constituted by Charles IV in 1348 and placed under Saint Wenceslaus’s patronage: the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Margraviate of Moravia and the Silesian duchies effectively governed by this person. Provincial titles are retained; Prussian Silesia is not assigned to a Habsburg monarch. Source for this grouping

  • Holy Roman Empire (Germany)King of the Romans
    View titles and jurisdictions

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

14 recorded claims · 5 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (5/6 with a precise source)
Governments (2/6 with a precise source)
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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