Maximilian I, King of the Romans, later Holy Roman Emperor

1459-1519

Nominated 1489 (under Henry VII)

Archduke of Austria, was elected King of the Romans in 1486. Became Holy Roman Emperor in 1493. Expanded his Austrian territories via warfare and marriage and married his son Philip to the daughter of Ferdinand of Aragon. His grandson, Charles V, thereby inherited territories in both the Iberian Peninsula and the Low Countries, as well being elected Holy Roman Emperor on Maximilian's death.