Ferdinand Charles, Archduke of Austria explained

Ferdinand Charles
Succession:Archduke of Further Austria
Reign:13 September 1632 – 30 December 1662
Predecessor:Leopold V
Successor:Sigismund Francis
Regent:Claudia de' Medici (1632-1646)
Birth Date:17 May 1628
Birth Place:Archduchy of Austria, Holy Roman Empire
Death Place:Kaltern, County of Tyrol, Holy Roman Empire
Issue:Claudia Felicitas, Holy Roman Empress
House:Habsburg
Father:Leopold V, Archduke of Austria
Mother:Claudia de' Medici
Religion:Roman Catholicism

Ferdinand Charles (17 May 1628 – 30 December 1662) was the Archduke of Further Austria, including Tyrol, from 1646 to 1662.

As the son of Archduke Leopold V and Claudia de' Medici, he succeeded his father upon the latter's death in 1632, under his mother's regency. He took over his mother's governatorial duties when he came of age in 1646. To finance his extravagant living style, he sold goods and entitlements. For example, he wasted the exorbitant sum which France had to pay to the Tyrolean Habsburgs for the cession of their fiefs west of the Rhine (Alsace, Sundgau and Breisach). He also fixed the border to Graubünden in 1652.[1]

Ferdinand Charles was an absolutist ruler, did not call any diet after 1648 and had his chancellor Wilhelm Biener executed illegally in 1651 after a secret trial. On the other hand, he was a lover of music: Italian opera was performed in his court.

Marriage, children and death

Ferdinand Charles married Anna de' Medici. She was a daughter of Cosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Maria Magdalena of Austria († 1631). They had three children:

He died in Kaltern.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Tyler, James . A guide to playing the baroque guitar . 2011 . Indiana University Press . 978-0-253-00501-4 . Bloomington, Ind. . 710841731.