Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor Historical Figure Religion: Catholicism Date of Birth: July 13 1608 Date of Death: April 2 1657 Occupation: Holy Roman Emperor Parents: Ferdinand II of Austria (father) Maria Anna of Bavaria (mother) Spouse: Maria Anna of Spain Maria Leopoldine of Austria (b. 6 April 1632) Eleanor of Mantua Children: Ferdinand IV (b. September 8, 1633) Mariana of Austria (b. December 24, 1634) Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor (b. June 9, 1640) Archduke Charles Joseph of Austria (b. August 7, 1649) Eleanor of Austria (b. May 31, 1653) Archduchess Maria Anna Josepha of Austria (b. December 30, 1654) Relatives: Maria Anna of Austria (sister) Cecilia Renata (sister) Leopold Wilhelm (brother) Affiliations: House of Habsburg Appearances: 1632 series POD: May, 1631 Appearance(s): 1634: The Bavarian Crisis Ring of Fire II 1635: The Eastern Front 1636: The Saxon Uprising Type of Appearance: Direct Children: "Ferdinand the Most Recent"

Ferdinand III (July 13, 1608 – April 2, 1657) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1637 – 1657. He was also King of Hungary (1625), King of Bohemia (1627), Archduke of Austria (1621), and King of the Romans (Germany) (1636). He served as titular head of the Imperial Army during the Thirty Years' War from 1634 until its final phases.

Ferdinand III in 1632Edit

After the arrival of Grantville caused a realignment of alliances, Ferdinand III lost the throne of Bohemia to Albrecht von Wallenstein. Shortly after his father's death, he publicly renounced the title of "Holy Roman Emperor" and assumed the title Emperor of Austria-Hungary, effectively marking the end of the Holy Roman Empire. As he was already styled Ferdinand III in his capacity as King of Hungary, he kept that style as Emperor of Austria-Hungary, so as to avoid confusion.

In 1635, Ferdinand had initially wanted to intervene on behalf of Brandenburg and Saxony, but allowed himself to be dissuaded by Janos Drugeth.^[1] Trying to go through Bavaria would have restarted the war with Wallenstein, who was allied to the USE; and going through Poland to get around Bohemian territory would have been time-consuming. Also, Ferdinand could not assume that Wallenstein would not attack if he saw an opportunity.

In March of 1636, Ferdinand agreed to attempt private communications with the USE, using Francisco Nasi's office in Prague as an intermediary.

Notes on childrenEdit

Internal references in 1634: The Bavarian Crisis suggest that "Ferdinand the Most Recent" was likely born in September or October of 1633. Since he is an infant, it is not clear how similar he is to the OTL's Ferdinand IV.

There is no mention of Ferdinand III's wife being pregnant in 1634, and his other children were conceived much too long after the Ring of Fire to exist in the NTL.

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ 1635: The Eastern Front, ch. 6