Maximilian

Maximilian, name of 2 Habsburg Holy Roman emperors. Maximilian I (1459–1519) reigned from 1493. He married, first, Mary of Burgundy (1477) and then Bianca, daughter of the Duke of Milan (1494). He arranged other family marriages that brought the Habsburgs much of Burgundy, the Netherlands, Hungary, Bohemia, and Spain. Maximilian I reorganized imperial administration and set up a supreme court of justice. However, he had to recognize Switzerland's independence (1499), and failed to hold Milan. His finances were severely strained by continual warfare in support of his ambitions. Maximilian II (1527–76), emperor from 1564, was also king of Bohemia from 1549 and of Hungary from 1563. He was the son and successor of Ferdinand I. A humanist, he adopted a policy of religious toleration. Maximilian II arranged a truce with Turkey, according to which he would pay tribute to the sultan for his part of Hungary.

See also: Holy Roman Empire.