11 OCTOBER 2008, Page 23

On Charles V and the Pope

Sir: As Paul Johnson should know (And another thing, 4 October), there never was an Emperor Charles V of Spain. Karl V of Austria (technically a Duchy) was also King Carlos Primero in Hispanidad, and elected Holy Roman Emperor in the German world. Charles I and V actually did retire, to a monastery.

I have sometimes thought he inspired the abdicating Duke of Vienna in Measure for Measure, while the Viennese still ascribe some of their peculiarities to the influence of his Spanish courtiers. He claimed to speak Spanish to God, French to men, Italian to women and German to his horse.

P.G. Urben

Kenilworth, Warwickshire