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Maximilian I is proclaimed Holy Roman Emperor, the first emperor in centuries not crowned by the Pope

Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519) was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until his death in 1519.

Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519) was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until his death in 1519. He was never crowned by the Pope, as the journey to Rome was blocked by the Venetians. He proclaimed himself elected emperor in 1508 at Trent, with Pope Julius II later recognizing it. This broke the tradition of requiring a papal coronation for the adoption of the Imperial title. Maximilian was the only surviving son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor, and Eleanor of Portugal. From his coronation as King of the Romans in 1486, he ran a double government, or Doppelregierung with his father until Frederick's death in 1493.

Maximilian expanded the influence of the House of Habsburg through war and his marriage in 1477 to Mary, Duchess of Burgundy.

Historical Significance

Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519) was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until his death in 1519.

Key People

Emperor Maximilian I

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Events Before

  1. The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II

    The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II

  2. William I, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg weds Countess Walburga of Egmont

    William I, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg weds Countess Walburga of Egmont

  3. The first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrives at the Vatican

    The first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrives at the Vatican

  4. German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller is the first to use the name America on his world map "Universalis Cosmographia

    German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller is the first to use the name America on his world map "Universalis Cosmographia"

  5. England and Netherlands sign trade agreement

    England and Netherlands sign trade agreement

Events After

  1. Battle of Diu: Portuguese Armada defeats a Mamluk Egyptian fleet in a naval battle at the port of Diu, India, establish

    Battle of Diu: Portuguese Armada defeats a Mamluk Egyptian fleet in a naval battle at the port of Diu, India, establishing Portuguese trading control in the Indian Ocean

  2. King Henry VIII (17) of England marries first wife Catherine of Aragon (23), widow of his brother Arthur

    Catherine of Aragon (Spanish: Catalina de Aragón, also spelled Katherine; 16 December 1485 – 7 January 1536) was Queen of England as the first wife of Henry VIII from their marriage on 11 June 1509...

  3. Henry VIII is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey, London

    King Henry VIII of England had six wives between 1509 and his death in 1547. In legal terms (de jure), Henry had only three wives and no divorces during his life, instead three of his marriages were...

  4. Emperor Krishnadeva Raya is crowned, beginning the rejuvenation of the Vijayanagara Empire in southern India

    Emperor Krishnadeva Raya is crowned, beginning the rejuvenation of the Vijayanagara Empire in southern India

  5. France declares war on Venice

    The Republic of Venice, officially the Most Serene Republic of Venice and traditionally known as La Serenissima, was a sovereign state and maritime republic with its capital in Venice.

More from the 1500s

Battle of Diu: Portuguese Armada defeats a Mamluk Egyptian fleet in a naval battle at the port of Diu, India, establish

Battle of Diu: Portuguese Armada defeats a Mamluk Egyptian fleet in a naval battle at the port of Diu, India, establishing Portuguese trading control in the Indian Ocean

Founder of the Safavid dynasty, Ismail I, is crowned Shah of Persia (rules till 1524)

Founder of the Safavid dynasty, Ismail I, is crowned Shah of Persia (rules till 1524)

The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II

The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II

Pedro Álvares Cabral is the first European to discover Brazil, landing near Monte Pascoal and claiming it for Portugal

Pedro Álvares Cabral was a Portuguese nobleman, military commander, navigator and explorer regarded as the European discoverer of Brazil.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 6, 1508?
Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519) was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until his death in 1519. He was never crowned by the Pope, as the journey to Rome was blocked by the Venetians. He proclaimed himself elected emperor in 1508 at Trent, with Pope Julius II later recognizing it.
Why is Maximilian I is proclaimed Holy Roman Emperor, the first emperor in centuries... significant?
Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519) was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until his death in 1519.
Who was involved in Maximilian I is proclaimed Holy Roman Emperor, the first emperor in centuries...?
Key figures include Emperor Maximilian I.

Explore More

February 6 in HistoryYear 1508