# Francis I competes for imperial crown (1519)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1519-francis-i-competes-for-imperial-crown
Location: Europe

The French king unsuccessfully challenged Charles of Habsburg for election as Holy Roman Emperor. Within the broader Renaissance & Wars of Religion period, Renaissance monarchy brought Italian wars, humanist culture and overseas exploration. The Reformation then fractured the kingdom, producing decades of civil war between Catholic and Protestant factions. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Francis I (King of France). Francis I competes for imperial crown is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Francis I competes for imperial crown is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France.

Ruler at the time: [Francis I](https://history-france.com/rulers/francis-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Francis I competes for imperial crown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Francis+I+competes+for+imperial+crown&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Francis I competes for imperial crown](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Francis+I+competes+for+imperial+crown)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)