Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor

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Image:Armoiries empereur Henri VII.png Henry VII, (In German: Heinrich; in Italian: Arrigo), ca. 1275-1313, of the House of Luxembourg, was Holy Roman Emperor from 1312 to 1313, and also King of the Romans from 1308.

Life

He was a son of Count Henry VI of Luxemburg and Beatrice of Avesnes. His son, John of Luxembourg, was elected as king of Bohemia in 1310. Henry VII then travelled to Rome to be crowned as emperor, the title having been vacant since the death of Frederick II. His coronation was on June 29, 1312.

As Emperor he planned to restore the glory of the Holy Roman Empire, and indeed he restored imperial power in parts of northern Italy, fighting against the anti-imperial commune of Florence. However, he quarrelled with the Guelphs and Ghibellines, especially in the free cities in Tuscany, and King Robert of Naples and Pope Clement V were both worried about his firm imperial policies. Henry wanted to punish Robert of Naples for his disloyal actions (Robert was technically Henry's vassal), but he died on August 24, 1313, near Siena.

Henry is the famous alto Arrigo in Dante's Paradise. Dante also alludes to him numerous times in "Purgatorio" as the savior who will bring imperial rule back to Italy, and end the inappropriate temporal control of the Church. Henry VII's success in Italy was not lasting, however, and after his death the anti-imperialist forces regained control.

The title of Emperor, disputed by rival claimants, remained vacant for most of the next decade.

Family and children

He was married in Tervuren 9 July 1292 with Margaret of Brabant, daughter of John I, Duke of Brabant and had the following children:

1. John I, Count of Luxemburg (10 August, 1296 – 26 August, 1346),
2. Marie (1304–26 March 1324, Issoudun-en-Berry), married in Paris 21 September 1322 to King Charles IV of France.
3. Beatrix (1305–11 November 1319), married 1318 to King Charles I of Hungary.

Reference

• William M. Bowsky, Henry VII in Italy, 1960.

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