Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor

Matthias was born 24 February 1557 into the Habsburg dynasty and spent years maneuvering against his brother, Emperor Rudolf II, leading the family opposition that eventually brought him power. By 1608 he held Austria and Hungary, added Bohemia in 1611, and became Holy Roman Emperor in 1612. Once installed, he showed little initiative - Cardinal Melchior Klesl steered policy until his fall in 1618. His inability to navigate religious and administrative crises let Bohemia erupt in revolt during his final year, the opening act of a war that would consume Europe for three decades. He died 20 March 1619, months into the catastrophe his reign failed to prevent.