Early modern period
In the early modern period, the Holy Roman Empire was a union of territories in Central Europe under a Holy Roman Emperor the first of which was Otto I. The last was Francis II, who abdicated and dissolved the Empire in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. Despite its name, for much of its history the Empire did not include Rome within its borders.
Charles V European Award
The Award bears the name of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, in the Aachen palatine chapel, the same place where previously Charlemagne had been crowned. 
Charles, of Spanish and German ancestors, in the sixteenth century ruled Spain, the Netherlands, Germany and other nations of Central Europe. This emperor, although born in Ghent, he developed a deep appreciation for Spain and its habits, as well as for the Spanish language. 
He spent his last days suffering gout in the Monastery of Yuste, in Estremadura, 
where he had meetings with his son John of Austria.