Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I was born on July 10, 1503, in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. He became the Holy Roman Emperor in 1558 and ruled until his death in 1564. Ferdinand was a member of the Habsburg dynasty and played a significant role in European politics during the Reformation. Ferdinand I was known for his efforts to maintain peace within the Holy Roman Empire and to manage religious conflicts. He supported the Augsburg Confession and sought to balance the interests of both Catholics and Protestants. His reign contributed to the stability of the empire during a tumultuous period in European history.