Analyze the difficulties faced by Charles V in ruling his combined territories. What were the major ...

As the heir to both the territory of Spain and the Habsburg lands in the Holy Roman Empire, Charles received most of continental Europe, with the exception of France, an exception that proved to be extremely problematic in his efforts to solidify his rule. He was constantly under threat of invasion from the east by the Ottoman Empire, which during his rule reached to just outside Vienna. His efforts to retain strict control over the entirety of continental Europe led to perpetual conflict with Spain, the Netherlands, and the Holy Roman Empire encircling (and therefore challenging the political integrity of) France. The personal and political conflict between Spain and England after Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon contributed to a European alliance against Charles V that ultimately led to his being defeated and forced from power.