Luxembourg dynasty
Origins
The Luxembourg dynasty, also known as the House of Luxembourg, originated from the County of Luxembourg, a state of the Holy Roman Empire. The dynasty was founded by Count Sigfried in the late 10th century. The House of Luxembourg became a powerful force in European politics, producing several Holy Roman Emperors, Kings of Bohemia, and Archbishops of Trier and Mainz.
Rise to Power
The Luxembourg dynasty's rise to power began with Henry VII, who was elected King of the Romans in 1308 and later crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1312. His reign marked the beginning of the Luxembourg dynasty's influence in the Holy Roman Empire. Henry's son, John, further expanded the family's power by securing the Bohemian crown.
Reign of Charles IV
The apex of the Luxembourg dynasty's power came with the reign of Charles IV. Charles was crowned King of Bohemia in 1346 and Holy Roman Emperor in 1355. He issued the Golden Bull of 1356, a constitutional document that defined the structure of the Holy Roman Empire and established the rules for the election of the Emperor.
Decline and Legacy
The Luxembourg dynasty's power began to decline after the death of Charles IV. His sons, Wenceslaus IV and Sigismund, struggled to maintain the family's influence. The male line of the House of Luxembourg ended with the death of Sigismund in 1437. The dynasty's legacy, however, continues to be felt in European history, particularly in the history of the Holy Roman Empire and Bohemia.