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OTTOMAN CORSAIRS IN THE WESTERN ... - Bilkent University

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1458-1479) would inherit the Catalan-Aragonese kingdom. French kings Charles VIII<br />

(r. 1483-1498) and Louis XII (r. 1498-1515) would invade the kingdom of Naples based<br />

on their dynastic rights on the kingdoms; yet the final victory would be of Aragon. With<br />

the treaties of Blois (1504-5), both crowns would pass to Fernando, then upon his death<br />

to Charles.<br />

Yet, the original lands of the Habsburgs were the Archduchy of Austria. When<br />

Rudolf of Habsburg was elected emperor in 1273, he used his power to gain the control<br />

of the duchy of Austria and to secure it for his son. From that day on, this duchy became<br />

the nucleus of Habsburg powers since the original Habsburg dominions in Northern<br />

Switzerland was not worth mentioning. Charles gained the Duchy in 1519, when his<br />

grandfather died. Yet, this had never played an important role in his plans. After his<br />

election to the imperial crown, he decided to cede this Duchy to his brother and<br />

lieutenant in the Empire Ferdinand. 1<br />

The young Habsburg prince who united a combination of crowns under the same<br />

head would also be elected Emperor. Maximilian was eager to secure the imperial crown<br />

for his grandson; he already started negotiations with the electors in order to do so by<br />

bribing them. However, his sudden death prevented him from completing his mission.<br />

The sovereignty in the empire had a medieval character; it consisted of disorganized and<br />

personal possessions formally vassal to the imperial crown, but in reality independent.<br />

Yet, the immense prestige of the seat was undeniable. So as the leader of the Habsburg<br />

dynasty Charles should bid for his grandfather’s legacy.<br />

1 This was also due to a mutual agreement in which Ferdinand renounced his rights over the remaining<br />

Habsburg dominions. Ferdinand was always the favoured one in Spain and he was removed from the<br />

Peninsula when Charles arrived to assume the royal title. Furthermore, there were talks of French efforts<br />

to induce Ferdinand for an imperial candidacy against his brother. Charles had to write a letter to him<br />

indicating his amicable feelings towards his brother.<br />

6

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