Family, Faith and Empire: The Habsburg Dynasty’s “Family Business” from 150

This set of 4 lectures will examine the apex era of one of Europe’s most storied dynasties: the Habsburgs in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Ruling from both Madrid and Vienna (among other places), the Habsburgs embraced a nearly sure-fire formula for accumulating crowns, titles and power. But it came at a COST in terms both financial, social and genetic. Centuries of inbreeding and an overdrawn commitment to the Counter Reformation created unique challenges and spelled profound trouble for historic figures such as Spain’s King Philip II and Philip III, and Holy Roman Emperors Charles V, Ferdinand I, and Rudolf II among others.

Host or Publisher Jared N. Day, PhD