One of the most powerful European dynastic families which ruled much of central Europe—esp. Germany and Austria—and by marriage and conquest, Spain and the Low Countries, from the 11th Cent until the end of WWI. During that time, it dominated and influence European affairs through their hold on the throne of the Holy Roman Empire.
The origin of the Habsburgs could be traced back to the early 11th Cent. in the Upper Rhine Valley, and taking their name from the family castle, Habichtsburg (Hawk's Castle). Over the centuries they grew, acquiring power and prestige through conquest and marriage to become one of the most powerful European dynasties ever. In 1273 Rudolf I, putative 'founder' of the dynasty, gained the German crown, followed by Austria five years later, and the dynasty thus became, except for several short interruptions, emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. The dynasty expanded again in the 15th Cent when they acquired, by marriage, Burgundy and the Low Countries and Spain, and by conquest, Bohemia and Hungary. From then on almost no aspect of continental European affairs was untouched by their influence or involvement. After Charles V abdicated, due to old age, in 1556 their dominions were divided between the Spanish line (which died out in 1700) and the German line which survived until World War I.
Bibliography:
R. J. W. Evans, The Making of the Habsburg Monarchy 1550-1700. Oxford, 1979.
M. J. Rodriguez-Salgado, The Changing Face of Empire: Charles V, Philip II and Habsburg Authority, 1551-1559 . Cambridge: 1988.
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