Ferdinand II

Ferdinand II, born in 1578, was a Holy Roman Emperor and a key figure during the Thirty Years' War, a devastating conflict in Europe that lasted from 1618 to 1648. He was a staunch Catholic and sought to reassert Catholic dominance in the empire, leading to tensions with Protestant states. His rule saw significant political and religious turmoil, reflecting the larger struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism during the Reformation. Ferdinand II’s reign ended in 1637, but his policies and the war he was involved in significantly shaped European politics and religion for years to come.