Ferdinand I (Holy Roman Emperor)
Inherited the thrones of Bohemia and Hungary, creating a multinational monarchy centered on Vienna.
Life
Brother of Charles V
Ferdinand was the younger brother of Charles V and grew up in Spain. From 1521 Charles V entrusted him with governing the Austrian lands, and the House of Habsburg thereafter split into Spanish and Austrian branches.
Inherited two crowns
In 1526 King Louis II of Hungary (his brother-in-law) was killed at Mohács, and under marriage agreements Ferdinand inherited the thrones of Bohemia and Hungary, but most of Hungary was held by the Ottoman Empire and its client Zápolya. In 1529 Suleiman the Magnificent besieged Vienna, which held out and was saved.
Religious peace
He sought compromise in the religious conflicts, and in 1555 concluded the Peace of Augsburg on behalf of Charles V. When Charles V abdicated in 1556, Ferdinand succeeded him as emperor; he died in 1564.
Legacy
Ferdinand I was the true founder of the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy, a multinational state that lasted until 1918.
Did you know? He grew up in Spain and could not speak a word of German when he arrived in Austria.
Key dates
- 1521Takes over the Austrian lands
- 1526Inherits Bohemia and Hungary
- 1529Vienna withstands the Ottoman siege
- 1555Concludes the Peace of Augsburg (religious peace)
- 1558Formally becomes emperor
- 1564Died