Charles V became the Holy Roman Emperor when he was just 19 years old, just a few years after he had received a specially commissioned prayer book. The text is brief; easy-to-read prayers written for a young person. The small book is embellished with 76 miniatures painted in the Ghent-Bruges style, including illuminations of Jesus appearing to the disciples in a boat and sacramental bread and wine pouring from his body. Currently on display at Museum of the Bible, the prayer book is a fascinating witness of Flemish culture of the early 16th century. Charles V fought for decades to keep his reign intact, even condemning Martin Luther as an outlaw. He retired to a monastery 37 years later.

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