Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor

Epic card · No. 12168

Francis II and I (German: Franz II; 12 February 1768 – 2 March 1835) was the last Holy Roman Emperor (as Francis II) from 1792 to 1806, and the first Emperor of Austria (as Francis I) from 1804 to 1835. He was also King of Germany, Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and served as the first president of the German Confederation following its establishment in 1815. The eldest son of future Emperor Leopold II and Maria Luisa of Spain, Francis was born in Florence, where his father ruled as Grand Duke of Tuscany. Leopold became Holy Roman Emperor in 1790 but died two years later, and Francis succeeded him. At the time of Francis's accession, his empire was already embroiled in the French Revolutionary Wars, the first of which ended in Austrian defeat and the loss of the left bank of the Rhine to France. After another French victory in the War of the Second Coalition, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French. In response, Francis assumed the title of Emperor of Austria. He continued his leading...

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