jjares reviewed The Habsburg Empire: A Captivating Guide to the House of Austria and the Impact the Habsburgs Had on the Holy Roman Empire on + 3270 more book reviews
This is one family that I've wanted to read about for years. Their inbreeding was legendary, as was their serious health conditions and even madness. The Habsburgs lasted for an incredible 650 years and ruled all over Europe and beyond.
It was interesting to learn that the Habsburgs began in Switzerland but soon spread throughout Europe and beyond. The Habsburgs ruled the Holy Roman Empire, Hungary, Bohemia, Austria, and more. Habsburg women were married off to be queens of Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
This book shows the shattering effect Protestantism had on the rulers of various countries. Religious unity was considered to be important for a unified state. The Habsburgs were willing to wage war within the family but were shocked by the problem religion created within and without their family. By the early 1600s, there were pro-Habsburg Catholics and anti-Habsburg Protestants. These divisions would eventually lead to the Thirty Years' War.
Frankly, this book is information-rich, but the similar names made keeping the kings separate a real challenge. It was a genuine delight when Maria Theresa arrived on the scene. She seemed to turn her interest more to taking care of her people instead of the constant in-fighting the Habsburg boys seemed to be enjoying, instead of ruling. It was impressive to see that, by 1777, Maria Theresa had instituted the 'most exemplary education system in Europe.' Maria Therese was the mother of 16 children, including Marie Antoinette.
Thanks for bringing the story of the Habsburg dynasty all the way to the youngest heir, born in 1997. I'd wondered what and where the family went after their dynasty ended.
It was interesting to learn that the Habsburgs began in Switzerland but soon spread throughout Europe and beyond. The Habsburgs ruled the Holy Roman Empire, Hungary, Bohemia, Austria, and more. Habsburg women were married off to be queens of Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
This book shows the shattering effect Protestantism had on the rulers of various countries. Religious unity was considered to be important for a unified state. The Habsburgs were willing to wage war within the family but were shocked by the problem religion created within and without their family. By the early 1600s, there were pro-Habsburg Catholics and anti-Habsburg Protestants. These divisions would eventually lead to the Thirty Years' War.
Frankly, this book is information-rich, but the similar names made keeping the kings separate a real challenge. It was a genuine delight when Maria Theresa arrived on the scene. She seemed to turn her interest more to taking care of her people instead of the constant in-fighting the Habsburg boys seemed to be enjoying, instead of ruling. It was impressive to see that, by 1777, Maria Theresa had instituted the 'most exemplary education system in Europe.' Maria Therese was the mother of 16 children, including Marie Antoinette.
Thanks for bringing the story of the Habsburg dynasty all the way to the youngest heir, born in 1997. I'd wondered what and where the family went after their dynasty ended.
