A heavy enough burden, one would think, for young shoulders.
But it was to become still heavier.

In 1519 his other grandfather, Maximilian I., died, leaving the throne of the empire vacant.
This office by ancient custom, established by Charlemagne, was elective, and theoretically was open to any prince in Europe.

But with the seven princes known as electors, with whom rested choice of the successor, hereditary claim had great weight.

Europe saw with dismay the imminent creation of an empire greater than that of Charlemagne--an empire which would cover a large part of the map of Europe and of America.

For none was this so alarming as for France, which would in fact be enveloped upon almost every side by this giant among the nations.