Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor Facts for Kids

Francis II (born February 12, 1768 – died March 2, 1835) was a very important ruler in European history. He was the last Holy Roman Emperor, a title he held from 1792 until 1806. This ancient empire was dissolved after a big defeat by Napoleon's French army at the Battle of Austerlitz.

Before that, in 1804, Francis created the Austrian Empire. He became its first ruler, known as Francis I, and reigned until 1835. This made him the only "double emperor" in history, holding two different emperor titles at the same time for a few years! He was also the King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. After Napoleon's defeat, Francis became the first president of the German Confederation in 1815.

Francis II was a strong opponent of Napoleon and France during the Napoleonic Wars. He faced many challenges and defeats. One of his toughest moments was when his daughter, Marie Louise, had to marry Napoleon in 1810.

After Napoleon was finally defeated, Austria, led by Francis and his clever chancellor Klemens von Metternich, played a key role in reshaping Europe. This happened at the Congress of Vienna. They helped bring back many of Francis's old lands, though the Holy Roman Empire was not restarted. Francis was seen as a traditional ruler who wanted to keep things stable and resist new ideas like nationalism.

His Marriages
His Children
Images for kids
See also

His Marriages

Francis II was married four times during his life:

His First Marriage

On January 6, 1788, he married Elisabeth of Württemberg. Sadly, she passed away in 1790.

His Second Marriage

On September 15, 1790, he married his cousin, Maria Teresa of the Two Sicilies. They had twelve children together, but only seven lived to be adults. Maria Teresa died in 1807.

His Third Marriage

On January 6, 1808, he married another cousin, Maria Ludovika of Austria-Este. They did not have any children. She died in 1816.

His Fourth Marriage

On October 29, 1816, he married Karoline Charlotte Auguste of Bavaria. They also did not have any children.

His Children

Francis II had children with his first two wives. Here are some of his notable children:

Archduchess Ludovika Elisabeth (1790–1791): She was his only child with Elisabeth of Württemberg, but she died as a baby.

Archduchess Maria Ludovika (1791–1847): She became the Empress of the French when she married Napoleon Bonaparte. She later married two more times.

Marie Louise, Empress of the French

Emperor Ferdinand I (1793–1875): He became the next Emperor of Austria after his father.

Emperor Ferdinand I

Archduchess Caroline Josepha Leopoldine (1797–1826): She was renamed Maria Leopoldina and became the Empress of Brazil and Queen of Portugal by marrying Pedro I of Brazil.

Maria Leopoldina, Empress of Brazil

Archduchess Maria Klementina (1798–1881): She married her uncle, Leopold, Prince of Salerno.

Maria Klementina, Princess of Salerno

Archduchess Maria Karolina (1801–1832): She married the Crown Prince of Saxony.

Maria Karolina, Crown Princess of Saxony

Archduke Franz Karl (1802–1878): His son, Franz Joseph I, later became a very famous Emperor of Austria.

Archduke Franz Karl

Archduchess Marie Anne (1804–1858): She had some health challenges and never married.

Images for kids

1770 painting by Anton Raphael Mengs depicting Archduke Francis at the age of 2.
Painting of Francis II at the age of 25, wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece, with the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire and Hungary's Crown of Saint Stephen in the background (1792)
Francis I as Austrian Emperor wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece, undated
Medallion of Francis I, designed by Philipp Jakob Treu in Basel, Switzerland on 13 January 1814. This was the date in the War of the Sixth Coalition when the allied monarchs of Austria, Prussia, and Russia crossed the Rhine at Basel into France.
1 Thaler silver coin with portrait of Emperor Franz I, 1820
Sarcophagus of Francis II in the Imperial Crypt
Monument in the inner courtyard of the Hofburg in Vienna

Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor facts for kids

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