Leopold I
Ruler of the Habsburg Monarchy from 1657, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1658 until his death in 1705
Born in Vienna on 9 June 1640
Died in Vienna on 5 May 1705
Motto: ‘Consilio et industria – By counsel and industry’
Leopold I became emperor after the sudden death of his brother Ferdinand IV. Originally destined for a career in the Church, his strict religious upbringing made him a zealous proponent of the Counter-Reformation. During his long reign the Habsburg Monarchy waged numerous wars, against France, the Ottoman Empire and internal enemies in Hungary. As a Baroque ruler, Leopold promoted the arts and had an especially keen interest in music.
