This English-language translation of Mark Hengerer's Kaiser Ferdinand III: 1608-1657 Eine Biographie is based on an analysis of the weekly reports sent by the papal nuncio's office to the Vatican. These reports give detailed information about the daily whereabouts of the dynasty, courtiers, and foreign visitors, and they contain the gossip of the court in addition to weekly analysis of some political problems. This material enabled the author to report on daily life of the dynasty and to analyze the circumstances under which policy was made, which has led to a balance between the personality of Ferdinand III and the problems with which he dealt. In this biography, Hengerer provides answers to the question: Why did it take the emperor more than ten years to end a devastating war, the traumatizing effects of which on central Europe lasted into the twentieth century, particularly since there was no hope of victory against his foreign adversaries from the very moment he came into power?

This English-language translation of Mark Hengerer'sKaiser Ferdinand III: 1608–1657 Eine Biographie is based on an analysis of the weekly reports sent by the papal nuncio’s office to the Vatican. These reports give detailed information about the daily whereabouts of the dynasty, courtiers, and foreign visitors, and they contain the gossip of the court in addition to weekly analysis of some political problems. This material enabled the author to report on daily life of the dynasty and to analyze the circumstances under which policy was made, which has led to a balance between the personality of Ferdinand III and the problems with which he dealt. In this biography, Hengerer provides answers to the question: Why did it take the emperor more than ten years to end a devastating war, the traumatizing effects of which on central Europe lasted into the twentieth century, particularly since there was no hope of victory against his foreign adversaries from the very moment he came into power?

Introduction
Part I: The Way to the Throne, 1608–1637
1.1 Path to the Imperial Throne, 1608–1636
1.2 Heir Apparent Overnight
1.3 Collecting Crowns: Failure in the Empire
1.4 Waiting
1.5 Illusory Achievements: The Peace of Prague, King of the Romans
Part II: Searching for Peace in War, 1637–1648
2.1 The Constellation of Imperial Government
2.2 Aspects of Lordship: Court, Governance, Travels, Rome
2.3 Negotiations
2.4 Waging War
2.5 The Turning Point, 1644–1645
2.6 The Breaking Point
Part III: The Difficulty of Maintaining Peace
3.1 First Steps in a New Era
3.2 Death and a New Beginning for the Dynasty and the Court
3.3 Counter-Reformation and Territorial Rulership
3.4 Emperor and Empire after 1648
3.5 The Death of Ferdinand IV
3.6 New Succession: Old and New Dangers of War
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author