Status Updates From The Habsburgs: The Rise and...

Ferdinand II, driven by the fervor of his faith, ignited the flames of conflict across his entire realm. Initially willing to negotiate, he struck at the heretics with full force following the Defenestration and defeated them at the Battle of White Mountain. However, this merely pacified the situation within the empire. Upon his death, the ritual of separate burial for different parts of the body was carried out.

Protestants won in Austria because their heresy was not tamed in the "Spanish" way. As Rudolph II. was indecisive, everyone else overrode him. Numerous uprisings broke out in Hungary as soon as a noble, such as Ertsebet Bathory, was touched, and even the Turks could hardly wait for this religious chaos. The Peace of Augsburg pacified the situation, but the First Reformation would soon receive its sharpest sword.

The negative impact of Protestantism on the Austrian side of the family can best be seen in the example of Emperor Rudolf II. His court in Orag was home to many top scientists, but also to various charlatans, swindlers and losers who exploited the emperor's love of the occult and alchemy. Indecisiveness and a lack of will for a clear policy contributed to the subsequent chaos throughout the empire.