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King of Kings - by Lewis Lavoie
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| Wikipedia: Charles IV is considered one of the most important Czech rulers. He strengthened the position of the Bohemian kingdom, contributed to the development of Prague as his seat and helped found the Prague Archbishopric and Charles University. In 1355, he was the first Bohemian king to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, the second Czech king of the House of Luxemburg family , was an exceptionally educated and skillful ruler. By 1333, he had already taken over from his absent father in administering the Bohemian kingdom. Soon after, he became the Margrave of Moravia. When his father John of Luxemburg died in 1346, Charles IV, as his son and heir, took over the Czech throne. To mark his coronation, Charles IV had a new set of Czech Crown Jewels made for himself and his wife, Blanche of Valois. Even at that time, Charles’ chances of becoming Holy Roman Emperor seemed quite natural; by 1346, he had been chosen for five prince electorships and was crowned Bohemian king a year later. His only potential rival, Ludvík of Bavaria, died in 1347, and no other worthy candidate emerged. Charles IV, the first Bohemian king to become Holy Roman Emperor, died in 1378. At his funeral, he was named Pater patriae (or Father of the Country), a distinction he still carries today |
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