The rise of the Habsburgs begins with the “last knight”
Maximilian I of Habsburg had already been crowned co-regent before the death of his father on 19 August 1493; now he stood alone at the head of the Holy Roman Empire. Whilst his father, Frederick III, was widely known as “the imperial sleepyhead” due to his passivity, Maximilian was constantly on the move and waged countless wars. His reign also saw a number of important internal reforms, such as the introduction of the “Eternal Peace” and the establishment of the Reichskammergericht, a supreme court for the Holy Roman Empire. His dynastic marriage policy resulted in the acquisition of vast territories, including Bohemia, Burgundy, Spain and Hungary, thereby establishing the Habsburgs as the most powerful dynasty in Europe. Maximilian also suffered his fair share of defeats and misfortunes, losing several wars. He was unable to strengthen the position of Emperor against the imperial estates, and also incurred enormous debts.
Whilst living on the threshold of modernity, Maximilian also loved pomp and splendour, presenting himself as both a Renaissance prince and the “last knight”. In 1508, he adopted the title “Elected Roman Emperor”, thereby indicating that his power derived from election by secular rulers rather than investiture by the Pope. This innovation was continued by Maximilian’s successors after his death in 1519. With just one exception, all the subsequent Holy Roman Emperors were Habsburgs based in Vienna until the empire’s dissolution in 1806.
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