Under Charles V (r. 1519–1556), the empire reached its greatest territorial extent, functioning as the primary defender of Catholicism against the Ottoman Empire and the burgeoning Protestant Reformation. The Long Pivot: Division and Absolutism
This brought the wealthy Low Countries (modern Belgium and the Netherlands) into the fold.
The famous motto Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria nube defined their ascent. Key unions included:
Tu carrito está vacío.