Emperor Maximilian I on horseback
As we discussed in class, the Habsburg family ruled in the Austrian lands in various capacities for more than six centuries. Maximilian I was the ruler who made the family a global power through his own strategic marriages and by marrying his children ands grandchildren into the most powerful dynasties of Europe. He was also a self-styled " knight" and loved pomp, military regalia and splendid feasts. He was also great patron of the arts, commissioning works from the likes of Rubens and Durer.
A HUGE repository of information on the Habsburg Dynasty from all centuries can be found
Below are a few video clips relating to these topics and to the topics of medieval and Renaissance Vienna! Take special note of the Smart History Videos. You can peruse the complete list of these excellent short art history videos
HERE at the Kahn Academy website.
TEXTS ON VIENNA TO DOWNLOAD at PDFS
Brief Section from Leonard B. Glick's book on the Medieval European Jews in the German Lands "Abraham's Heirs" (purchase book
HERE)
Selections from Paul Hofmann's "The Viennese: Splendor, Twilight, Exile" (purchase the book
HERE)
Selections from Nicholas Parson's "Vienna: A Cultural History" (purchase the book
HERE)
Please take note that the Cruikshank and Hofmann books are available for as little as a penny on Amazon! Glick's book is an excellent introduction to the topic of Medieval Jewry, and (in my opinion) the Parson's book is the very best compact history on the city of Vienna yet written.
