Taught by Bradley Fish
Lesson 65 Essay: The Hapsburg Dynasty
Written by KryssaLee
(These are old essays from over a year ago that I forgot to publish)
During the years 1254-1273 A.D. there was a time in the Holy Roman Empire that was known as the "interregnum", or "the time between kings". As the name suggests, there was no official king or emperor elected. That last emperor, Emperor Conrad IV, had died, and their was no clear heir to the throne.
This resulted in each of the princes that were in the empire becoming more independent. Finally, after much debate, Rudolph I of the Hapsburgs was chosen, and elected into the office of Holy Roman Emperor. Besides ruling several times as Holy Roman Emperor, the Hapsburg line also became the kings of Austria and Germany.
The name "Hapsburg" originated from the Hapsburg Castle, which was built by Otto II in 1020. The dynasty itself flourished, and lasted for centuries, from the 11-13th centuries. They went on to rule Austria until 1918.
By using the form of marriage to expand their empire, the Hapsburgs ruled and controlled several countries. They attempted to add Switzerland into their domain, however the Swiss revolted, and won independence in 1499 A.D.
The Hapsburgs were able to accomplish something that proved to be important, with the issuing of the Golden Bull. The Golden Bull was a document that was issued by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1356. It attempted to limit the power and authority that the pope had over politics in Germany. The Bull formed an electoral college that had the authority and was responsible for selecting emperors. This hoped to prevent the pope from having too much influence on these decisions.
Eventually the Hapsburg Dynasty split into two separate branches: the Spanish Hapsburgs and the Austrian Hapsburgs. The Spanish line ended with the death of Charles II. The Austrians ended with the death of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. Both lines completely died off in the 18th century.
Unfortunately for the Hapsburgs, genetic problems were intrinsic with the intermarriage in single family. This led to their eventual downfall.
The House of Hapsburg went completely extinct in 1918, and the family left behind almost no legacy, besides their lengthy time in power. The House of Hapsburg is proof that no single dynasty can last forever.
This resulted in each of the princes that were in the empire becoming more independent. Finally, after much debate, Rudolph I of the Hapsburgs was chosen, and elected into the office of Holy Roman Emperor. Besides ruling several times as Holy Roman Emperor, the Hapsburg line also became the kings of Austria and Germany.
The name "Hapsburg" originated from the Hapsburg Castle, which was built by Otto II in 1020. The dynasty itself flourished, and lasted for centuries, from the 11-13th centuries. They went on to rule Austria until 1918.
By using the form of marriage to expand their empire, the Hapsburgs ruled and controlled several countries. They attempted to add Switzerland into their domain, however the Swiss revolted, and won independence in 1499 A.D.
The Hapsburgs were able to accomplish something that proved to be important, with the issuing of the Golden Bull. The Golden Bull was a document that was issued by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1356. It attempted to limit the power and authority that the pope had over politics in Germany. The Bull formed an electoral college that had the authority and was responsible for selecting emperors. This hoped to prevent the pope from having too much influence on these decisions.
Eventually the Hapsburg Dynasty split into two separate branches: the Spanish Hapsburgs and the Austrian Hapsburgs. The Spanish line ended with the death of Charles II. The Austrians ended with the death of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. Both lines completely died off in the 18th century.
Unfortunately for the Hapsburgs, genetic problems were intrinsic with the intermarriage in single family. This led to their eventual downfall.
The House of Hapsburg went completely extinct in 1918, and the family left behind almost no legacy, besides their lengthy time in power. The House of Hapsburg is proof that no single dynasty can last forever.
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