Charles V was born in 1500 in Ghent and inherited vast Hapsburg lands throughout Europe upon the deaths of his father, grandfather Ferdinand, and grandfather Maximilian. This made him the Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of a large empire spanning Germany, the Low Countries, Spain, and colonies in the Americas. He learned to prioritize decisions to maintain stability and economic prosperity. He opposed the Protestant Reformation and declared Martin Luther an outlaw for threatening the political stability of his empire. Charles waged successful wars against France to recapture territory. He established systems of governance and tributaries in new colonies to extract wealth to fund further wars and expansion. While permitting some religious freedom, he aimed to prevent doctrines that could lead