House of Habsburg
| House of Habsburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Country | Holy Roman Empire, Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of Hungary, Kingdom of Portugal, Kingdom of Sicily, Duchy of Burgundy, Netherlands, Kingdom of Naples, Kingdom of Sardinia | ||
| Titles | |||
| Founder | Radbot, Count of Habsburg | ||
| Final ruler | Charles 1st | ||
| Founding year | 1010 | ||
| Dissolution | Nov 1918 | ||
| Ethnicity | Germanic, Spanish (see details) | ||
The House of Habsburg, also the House of Austria, was a royal house founded in the 10th century by Radbot, Count of Habsburg. Their paternal ancestors were Germanic, and first provided a monarch to reign in the Holy Roman Empire during the 13th century, where they gained Austria. Between 1452 and 1780, the Habsburgs provided many Holy Roman Emperors. The dynasty accumulated several other holdings, building the transcontinental Spanish Empire which at its peak was one of the largest in history.
Contents
History
In total, sixteen Habsburg monarchs, including twelve emperors, sporadically reigned over the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, as Kings of the Romans and Roman-German Emperors. After inheriting the Kingdom of Spain, where they provided five monarchs, a branch of the family, with Philip I of Castile at its head was established. The branches remained close allies, until the death of the Spanish line with Charles II of Spain. The Austrian line died out not long after in 1780, with Maria Theresa of Austria as the last paternal Habsburg monarch. The rights of the dynasty then passed to the House of Lorraine becoming the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
The eventful religious and political climate of the 17th century, saw the Habsburgs championing the Catholic side in the Thirty Years' War, contrary to the partisans of Protestantism. They also built up a rivarly with the Bourbons of France, on the basis of a prestige struggle to become Europe's most powerful dynasty. Forces allied to the Habsburg Empire also defended Christendom in the Ottoman–Habsburg Wars, stopping the advancement of Asiatic races into Europe. The Catholic Holy League famously turned the Asiatic horde back at the Battle of Vienna in 1683.
Titles
List of Habsburg monarchs
Kings of the Romans
| Portrait | Name | From | Until | Relationship with predecessor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Rudolph I of Germany | 29 September 1273 | 15 July 1291 | Elective post. Gained influence as archetypal feudal warrior-statesman. Succeeded Alfonso X of Castile from House of Burgundy-Spain. |
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Albert I of Germany | 24 June 1298 | 1 May 1308 | Son of Rudolph I of Germany. Had a rivalry with Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg who some princes elected to curb Habsburg power. |
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Frederick III of Germany (The Fair) |
19 October 1314 | 13 January 1330 | Son of Albert I of Germany. In conflict with Louis the Bavarian, then reigned jointing with him. |
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Albert II of Germany | 18 March 1438 | 27 October 1439 | Son-in-law of Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor of the House of Luxembourg. Son of Albert IV, Duke of Austria. |
Holy Roman Emperors
Queen of Hungary and Archduchess of Austria
| Portrait | Name | From | Until | Relationship with predecessor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Maria Theresa of Austria | 20 October 1740 | 29 November 1780 | daughter of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, Empress consort of the Holy Roman Empire. |
Kings of Spain
| Portrait | Name | From | Until | Relationship with predecessor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Charles I of Spain | 14 March 1516 | 16 January 1556 | Son of Joanna of Castile from the House of Trastámara. Grandson of the Catholic Monarchs. |
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Philip II of Spain | 16 January 1556 | 13 September 1598 | Son of Charles I of Spain. |
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Philip III of Spain | 13 September 1598 | 31 March 1621 | Son of Philip II of Spain. |
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Philip IV of Spain | 31 March 1621 | 17 September 1665 | Son of Philip III of Spain. |
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Charles II of Spain | 17 September 1665 | 1 November 1700 | Son of Philip IV of Spain. |
