Charles VII (1697-1745) was Holy Roman emperor from 1742 to 1745. He was the first Holy Roman emperor in more than 300 years who was not a member of the Habsburg (or Hapsburg) family.
Charles VII was born Charles Albert Wittelsbach on Aug. 6, 1697, in Schleissheim, Bavaria, near Munich in what is now Germany. In 1726, he became the ruler of Bavaria as Elector Charles Albert.
After Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI died in 1740, a dispute arose about who would succeed him. Charles Albert and several other rulers broke a pledge to let Charles VI’s daughter Maria Theresa inherit his territories. They took some of her lands in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748). Charles Albert claimed the throne, and with French help, became Holy Roman emperor as Charles VII. He died on Jan. 20, 1745.
See also Habsburg, House of; Maria Theresa; Succession wars (The War of the Austrian Succession).
