Charles of Austria, Bishop of Wroclaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Archduke Charles of Austria |
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| Prince-Bishop of Wrocław (Breslau) | |
Portrait by Justus Sustermans
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| Native name | Karl von Österreich |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of Wrocław |
| Appointed | 1608 |
| Reign ended | 1624 |
| Predecessor | Johann VI of Sitsch |
| Successor | Karol Ferdynand Vasa |
| Other posts | Prince-Bishop of Brixen Grand Master of the Teutonic Order |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 7, 1590 Graz, Styria |
| Died | December 28, 1624 (aged 34) Madrid, Spain |
| Buried | El Escorial |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Residence | Neisse (Nysa) |
| Parents | Charles II, Archduke of Austria Maria Anna of Bavaria |
Charles of Austria (German: Karl von Österreich; born August 7, 1590 – died December 28, 1624) was an important leader from the House of Habsburg. He was known as the Posthumous because he was born after his father died. Charles served as the Prince-Bishop of Wrocław (Breslau) starting in 1608. He also became the Prince-Bishop of Brixen in 1613. From 1618 until his death, he was the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, a powerful religious and military group. In 1621, his brother, Emperor Ferdinand II, gave him control of the County of Kladsko in Bohemia.
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Life of Charles of Austria
Charles was born in Graz, a city in Styria. He was the youngest son of Archduke Charles II of Austria. His father ruled the Inner Austrian lands of the Habsburg monarchy. His mother was Maria Anna. She was the daughter of Duke Albert V of Bavaria.
Charles was born less than a month after his father passed away. This is why he was called "Charles the Posthumous." He was the last of 15 children. Like his brother Leopold V, Charles was expected to have a career in the Church.
Early Church Roles
In 1602, Charles was made a canon at Salzburg Cathedral. A canon is a special priest who is part of a cathedral's governing group. In 1605, he also became a canon at Passau. More canon positions followed in Trent and Brixen in 1606. He also became a canon in Cologne Cathedral in 1618. These roles mostly gave him an income from Church funds. He did not have to be present for most of these jobs.
On July 7, 1608, when he was 17, Charles was chosen as the Prince-bishop of Breslau (Wrocław). He arrived in the city on December 14. In 1613, Charles also became the Bishop of Brixen. However, he let another person manage the Brixen diocese. He chose Neisse (Nysa) as his main home. He did not become a priest until 1615 because he was still young. In 1619, he took over from his cousin, Archduke Maximilian III of Austria. Charles became the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights.
Religious Leadership and Conflicts
Charles was a very strong Catholic. When he became the Breslau prince-bishop, he disagreed with the 1609 Letter of Majesty. This was a document from his cousin, Emperor Rudolf II. It said that all religions should be treated equally in Silesia, a land belonging to Bohemia. Charles tried to become the governor of Silesia but did not succeed.
The Thirty Years' War began in 1618. The Protestant leaders in Silesia rebelled. They supported Frederick V of the Palatinate as their king. Because of this, Prince-Bishop Charles had to flee. He went to the court of King Sigismund III Vasa in Poland. Later, he moved to Brixen.
After the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, Charles returned. He worked hard to bring Catholicism back to his Duchy of Nysa. In 1622, he started a Jesuit college there called Carolinum(Nysa). In 1621, Emperor Ferdinand II gave him the Bohemian County of Kladsko. Charles sent Imperial troops there. He also made sure Catholicism was strongly brought back to that area.
Later Life and Death
In 1624, Charles traveled to Madrid, Spain. His nephew, King Philip IV of Spain, wanted him to become the Viceroy of Portugal. A viceroy is like a governor who rules a country or province as the king's representative. However, Charles became very ill. He died in late December before he could start his new job.
His body was buried in the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial in Spain. His heart was sent to the new St Mary's Jesuit Church in Nysa.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos de Habsburgo (1590-1624) para niños
