Hapsburg

The House of Habsburg, also spelled Hapsburg in English, was a European royal dynasty of German origin that played a dominant role in Central European politics from the late Middle Ages into the early 20th century. Originating from Habsburg Castle near present-day Aargau, Switzerland, the family rose to prominence in the Holy Roman Empire by the 13th and 14th centuries and became one of its most influential dynasties.

Through strategic marriages and territorial acquisitions, the Habsburgs expanded from core Austrian lands to include Bohemia, Hungary, and other crown territories. Rudolf I, elected King of the Romans in 1273, established the family’s imperial influence, a position that culminated in the dynasty’s long-standing prominence within the Holy Roman Empire. The Habsburgs produced many rulers who held the title of Holy Roman Emperor, as well as rulers of the Austrian lands and, later, the Spanish monarchy through the Spanish branch.

In 1519 Charles V united much of the family’s possessions under a single rule, governing a vast European and overseas realm. After his abdication in 1556, the dynasty split into Austrian and Spanish branches. The Spanish line ended in 1700 with the death of Charles II; the Austrian line continued to rule the Austrian Empire and, after 1867, the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The dynasty effectively ended with the collapse of the empire following World War I and the abdication of Charles I in 1918.

The Habsburgs left a lasting impact on European history, politics, and culture. They are noted for dynastic marriages, centralized administration, and patronage of the arts, as well as their prominence in European statecraft for centuries.