House of Habsburg

Introduction

• Origin: Swiss and Austrian dynasty, one of the most powerful in Europe.
• Founding: Named after Habsburg Castle in present-day Switzerland, built in the 1020s.
• Prominent Periods: Ruled vast realms during the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period.
• Key Figures:
  • Radbot of Klettgau (founder)
  • Rudolph of Habsburg (elected King of the Romans in 1273)
  • Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor)
  • Maria Theresa (last of the agnatic line)

Historical Development

Counts of Habsburg

• Progenitor: Guntram the Rich, 10th century.
• Expansion through marriages and inheritances.

Pivot to Eastern Alpine Duchies

• Rudolph I: Elected King of the Romans in 1273.
• Battle of Marchfeld (1278): Defeated Ottokar II, acquiring Austria and Styria.

Albertinian and Leopoldian Split

• 1379 Treaty of Neuberg: Division into Albertinian and Leopoldian lines.

Archdukes

• Title Creation:
  • Introduced by Rudolf IV.
  • Officially recognized in 1453 by Emperor Frederick III.

Reunification and Expansion

• Maximilian I: Reunified Habsburg lands, expanded influence through marriage to Mary of Burgundy.

Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs

• Abdication of Charles V (1556): Split into Spanish and Austrian branches.
• Spanish Habsburgs: Ruled Spain, Portugal, and colonies.
• Austrian Habsburgs: Retained Holy Roman Empire.

Inbreeding and Extinction

• Genetic Issues: Inbreeding led to health problems and extinction of male lines.
• Charles II of Spain: Last of the Spanish Habsburgs.

House of Habsburg-Lorraine

• Formed after the War of the Austrian Succession.
• Key Figures: Maria Theresa, Joseph II.
• Ruled Austria-Hungary until 1918.

Multilingualism

• Tradition of multilingualism due to diverse territories.
• Charles V: Fluent in multiple languages.

Burials

• Imperial Crypt: Key Habsburg burial site in Vienna.

Notable Titles

• Holy Roman Emperor
• King of Spain, Hungary, Bohemia
• Archduke of Austria

Decline and Legacy

• End of Monarchy: Ended with World War I and dissolution of Austria-Hungary in 1918.
• Post-Monarchical Influence: Involved in European politics against Nazism and Communism.

Conclusion

• The Habsburg legacy continues to be influential in European history through their extensive rule and complex network of marriages.