Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's tactics in…

Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's tactics in dealing with German Protestantism depend principally on the pressures he feels from his other obligations.

When otherwise at peace, he attempts to enforce the condemnation of the Lutheran doctrines on those German princes and cities that have adopted the Reformation.

When warring with France or when the Turks threaten Germany—as they do after their destruction of the Hungarian army at the Battle of Mohács and in 1529, when they besiege Vienna—Charles grants considerable concessions to the Protestants.

To the dismay of the popes, the emperor's theologians even strive, though without success, to attain a compromise with the Lutheran theologians.