Charles's imperial policy was focused on the dynastic sphere and abandoned the lofty ideal of the Empire as a universal monarchy of Christendom.

It was during this time that he wrote De Monarchia, proposing a universal monarchy under Henry VII.

The mountain illuminated by the sun is universal monarchy.

He preferred to do his own bilateral deals with princes with the object of restoring the papacy as a universal monarchy.

In practice this resulted in the disappearance of the European empire of the Habsburgs and the idea of a universal Catholic monarchy.

Spain was seeking papal approval for a universal monarchy.

Gattinara held Dante's dream of universal monarchy as the ultimate goal of Charles V's rule, united both Christendom, and eventually the world.

Key to English strategy was the fear that a universal monarchy of Europe would be able to overwhelm the British Isles.

English foreign policy was now directed towards preventing France gaining supremacy on the continent and creating a universal monarchy.

Although he eventually fell short of his vision of universal monarchy, Charles I is still considered the most powerful of all the Habsburgs.