Karel IV. (May 14, 1316 - November 29, 1378) - Czech and German king, emperor of Rome from the Luxembourg dynasty. The most important Czech medieval monarch. And the king of Lombardy, Burgundy and Roman. For his enormous contribution to Czech culture, the arts and the economy used to be called the Father of the Homeland.

Karel IV., Baptized with the name V�clav, was born in Prague as the eldest son of King John of Luxembourg. His mother was Elisabeth of Bohemia.

As a seven-year V�clav was sent for education to the French royal court, where he earned all-round education. Extraordinary was his language skills: speaking German, French, Italian, Latin, and after returning home again i learned Czech. Even in his arrival in Paris was confirmed in the first and took the name Karel. At the same time, he married the same old Blanche of Valois (baptized Margaret). Nevertheless, given that the marriage was politically spouses to each other later formed a rapport and she was Blanka after his arrival in Bohemia very popular among residents. Karel experience in the years 1331-1333 gathered in a politically turbulent Northern Italian Signoria, where the governor general as represented by his father. There he first met his younger brother John Henry, whom he was very fond. In northern Italy fought a successful battle at the fortress of San Felice, for which he was knighted. Neither Charles courage, however, did not prevent the debacle Luxembourg mission. His troops were after the betrayal of allies in the battle of Ferrara defeated. Yet for future Czech king remained in Italy monument: Castle Monte Carlo, who left to found his tenure.

Do �ech Karel arrived in the fall of 1333, to represent the absent father John of Luxembourg. The following year he was put into office Margrave of Moravia. In the same year was promoted by Pope Clement VI. Prague bishopric to an archbishopric and 21 November, construction began metropolitan St. Vitus Cathedral. As a former teacher Charles, namely Klement supported the candidacy of a young Luxembourg on the title of Roman Emperor.

On his recommendation was Karel July 11, 1346 in Rhens on the Rhine actually elected King of the Romans and 26 November of the same year, the coronation took place in Bonn. General recognition has not yet Karel forthcoming.

Meanwhile, in the battle of Crecy (August 26, 1346) died Jan Luxembourg. King of Bohemia Charles was crowned Sept. 2, 1347 in St. Vitus Cathedral. For this act, Charles IV. make a new St. Wenceslas crown. Archbishop Ernest of Pardubice was to royal status while also promoted the king's wife Blanche of Valois.

The day before the monarch went on a memorable Vy�ehrad, where he put on his bast shoes and volunteered as a P�emyslite old tradition.

Charles IV. Prague created a cultural and social center and raising it to the level of the most developed European cities.

The foundation charter of Charles IV. dated April 7, 1348 contributed to the launch of the famous University, later named after him. (The founding charter of Prague University released a year before Pope Clement VI.)

March 8 Karel IV. founded the New Town of Prague castle was built by the Hunger Wall at Petrin and many other buildings, many of which were completed after his death. Major projects include the Charles Bridge (thus began to be called until 1870) or Karlstejn castle, where they were stored imperial crown jewels. In 1355 in Rome crowned Holy Roman Emperor and became the most powerful man in Europe at that time. For the Empress was anointed by his third wife Anna Sv�dnick�. She had then in 1361 gave successor, the future King Wenceslas IV.

Karel was a wise and educated monarch, for example, self-wrote his biography Vita Caroli, issued a Golden Bull, which regulated the conditions in the Holy Roman Empire.

But he certainly did not miss temperament. He suffered a weakness for jousting tournaments, which he often criticized by church leaders. Apparently in one unrevealed race, suffered a serious injury to the jaw and neck. The consequences are then faced the end of life.

Less than a month before his death he initiated edition coinage system, which was to bring order to the former excavation Prague Groschen and improve their quality. Charles IV. died 29 November 1378 at the Prague Castle due to pneumonia.