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        | Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II Biography |  
        | Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (July 9, 1578 - February 15, 1637), ruled 1620-1637. Originally Archduke of Styria, his appointment as King of Bohemia was one of the causes of the Thirty Years War. 
 He was the son of Karl II of Austria (1540-1590) and his wife Maria Anna of Bavaria (1551-1608).
 
 He was the leading champion of the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation and of absolutist rule during the Thirty Years' War.
 
 His first wife was Maria Anna of Bavaria (1574 - 1616), by whom he was father of four children, including Ferdinand III (1608-1657). His second wife was Eleonore of Gonzaga (1598 - 1655).
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        | Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II Resources |  
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