Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry VII became the first House of Luxembourg member to serve as king of Germany in 1308. In 1312, he became the House of Luxembourg’s first Holy Roman Emperor.
Synopsis
Born circa 1275 in Valenciennes, Hainaut, Belgium, Henry VII became count of Luxembourg in 1288, a title previously held by his father, Henry III. In 1308, Henry VII was named king of Germany, becoming the country's first king from royal the House of Luxembourg bloodline. Four years later, he became the first member of the House of Luxembourg to serve as Holy Roman Emperor. Though he served only briefly, during his reign, Henry VII reinvigorated Germany's interest and power in Italy. He is also credited with inspiring the acclaim of writer Dino Compagni and poet Dante Alighieri. Due to poor health, Henry VII died on August 24, 1313, less than a year after beginning his rule of the Holy Roman Empire, in Buonconvento, near Siena, Italy.
