# Archduke Ernest of Austria

Archduke Ernest of Austria (German: Ernst von Österreich; 15 June 1553 – 20 February 1595) was an Austrian prince, the son of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, and Maria of Spain.

## Biography

Born in Vienna, he was educated with his brother Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, in the court of Spain. He was a candidate in the 1573 Polish–Lithuanian royal election for the throne of Poland. He lost his election as the Polish nobility feared that he might attempt to become an autocrat and revoke the privileges that Polish nobles enjoyed. From 1576 onwards, he was governor in the Archduchy of Austria, where he promoted the Counter-Reformation. In 1590, he became governor of Inner Austria as regent for his young cousin Ferdinand, and from 1594 to 1595 he served as Governor of the Spanish Netherlands.
He died in Brussels on 20 February 1595 and was eventually succeeded in the Netherlands by his brother Albert. Ernest owned the Months of the Year cycle series of works painted by Pieter Bruegel the Elder; one painting, High Spring (showing April or May) is lost):
* The Gloomy Day (February/March)
* A 1565 Brugel sketch "Spring" although not part of the Months cycle series it could very well be similar to what Bruegel had in mind when he painted "High Spring" {April/May)
* The Hay Harvest (June/July)
* The Harvesters (August/September)
* The Return of the Herd (October/November)
* The Hunters in the Snow (December/January)

## Ancestry

Ancestors of Archduke Ernest of Austria :

## Male-line family tree

vteHouse of Habsburg :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | | | | | | | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | | | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | | | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | | | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | | | | | | | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line |
| | | | | | | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | | | | | | | | | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 |
| | | | | | | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | | | | | | | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 |
| Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | | | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | | | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | | | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 |
| | | | | | | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | | | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | | | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | | | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 |
| Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | | | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | | | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 |
Notes:
↑ "Habsburg family tree". Habsburg family website. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023. :