 |
| Emperor Ferdinand II |
| Kaiser Ferdinand II is proof that even when it seems like all the world has turned away from truth, God will always provide someone, even if only one man, who is up to the task of fighting against wicked trends. Ferdinand was the son of Archduke Karl and Princess Maria of Bavaria. His cousin was the aged Kaiser Matthias and when his father died in 1590, Ferdinand inherited the countries of Styria, Carinthia and Carniola, though since he was only 12, a regent had to rule on his behalf. Ferdinand was educated by the Jesuits who commented on his intelligence, particularly at mathematics, but even more so on his religious devotion and heartfelt love of the Church. He was also known for being open and friendly with everyone he met. It was said of Ferdinand that he had the noble appearance of a Spaniard, but the casual bearing of a German. Before his seventeenth birthday he assumed control of his government and during a trip to Italy made a solemn vow to eradicate heresy in all of the dominions he would ever rule. In 1618 Kaiser Matthias abdicated as King of Bohemia and passed the throne to his cousin Ferdinand. It was hoped that this would put him in a good position versus the electors to succeed Matthias to the imperial throne, unfortunately it sparked the opening of what became known as the 30 Years War. The Protestants in Bohemia revolted on May 23, deposed Ferdinand and replaced him with Frederick of the Palatinate, however, they proved to be too late as the electors in Vienna, with Ferdinand voting for Bohemia, chose and swore in the Hapsburg prince as Holy Roman Emperor. Under Frederick's leadership, the Protestants of Europe united in war against Emperor Ferdinand II and the Catholic House of Hapsburg. It would prove to be the worst war in German history before World War II. The new Emperor was quick to implement the improvements of the counter-reformation as well as revoking the benefits previously granted to the Protestants. He proved to be a man of great integrity, high morals and extreme courage. His goal was nothing less than the defeat of heresy and the reunification of Christendom under the Catholic Church. At first, things seemed to go in his favor. On November 8, 1620 Count Johan of Tilly soundly defeated the Lutheran army of Bohemia at the Battle of White Mountain, putting a stop to their policy of plundering the land and destroying anything they could not carry off. However, at this point, King Christian IV of Denmark decided to intervene for no other reason than to break the power of the Hapsburg emperor and the Roman Catholic Church. In response, Ferdinand called in the help of his cousins in Spain. At this time, the Spanish infantry were considered the best in the world. Once again, the Protestants were soundly defeated, and in 1629 Emperor Ferdinand II issued the Edict of Restitution. It ordered the Protestants to give back all of the property they had stolen from the Church, but also granted them freedom of worship as an act of reconciliation. It seemed that peace was at hand, and so it would have been were it not for the actions of the ambitious French Cardinal Armand Richelieu. Both Church and Christendom came in second to personal glory for the French cardinal, and he loaned large sums of money to the Lutheran King of Sweden, Gustavus Adolphus, a military genius and innovator, to make war on the Hapsburgs. Conditions were worsened when a Spanish fleet loaded down in treasure from America was captured by Dutch pirates. Money was so scarce that courtiers were forced to sell the curtains out of the palace windows to help raise money to repulse the Swedish invasion. On the battlefield the new tactics of Gustavus Adolphus seemed unstoppable. Tilly was killed and Ferdinand II was forced to recall his best, but untrustworthy, general, Albrecht von Wallenstein. At Lutzen, the Swedish king was on the verge of defeat by the Catholic army, when he was struck down in battle. His death so enraged his soldiers that they turned the tide and defeated Wallenstein. However, without their brilliant commander, victories ceased to come. Emperor Ferdinand II appointed his son, Prince Ferdinand, to lead the army and at the Battle of Nordlingen the Catholic imperial troops were victorious and destroyed the power of Sweden. Again, Ferdinand II seemed on the verge of total victory and peace for Europe. However, the French now intervened directly, having had time to build up their forces. In 1643 the Spanish army was defeated at the Battle of Rocroi and French troops laid waste to Germany. Perhaps fortunately, the Emperor did not live to see it. He died in 1637, after witnessing his son succeed to the Holy Roman throne. |
 |