The Brothers' Quarrel () was a conflict between

Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II (18 July 1552 – 20 January 1612) was Holy Roman Emperor (1576–1612), King of Hungary and Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg), Croatia (as Rudolf I, 1572–1608), King of Bohemia (1575–1608/1611) and Archduke of Austria (1576–16 ...

and his brother,

Matthias Matthias is a name derived from the Greek Ματθαίος, in origin similar to Matthew. Notable people Notable people named Matthias include the following: Religion * Saint Matthias, chosen as an apostle in Acts 1:21–26 to replace Judas Isca ...

in the early 17th century. Their other brothers ( Maximilian III and Albert VII) and their cousins, especially Ferdinand II and Leopold V, were also deeply involved in the dispute. The family

feud A feud , also known in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, clan war, gang war, private war, or mob war, is a long-running argument or fight, often between social groups of people, especially family, families or clans. Feuds begin ...

weakened the

Habsburgs The House of Habsburg (; ), also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of Europe and Western civilization. They were best known for their inbreeding and for ruling vast realms throughout Europe d ...

' position and enabled the estates of their realms to win widespread political and religious concessions. The 19th-century Austrian writer

Franz Grillparzer Franz Seraphicus Grillparzer (15 January 1791 – 21 January 1872) was an Austrian writer who was considered to be the leading Austrian dramatist of the 19th century. His plays were and are frequently performed at the Burgtheater in Vienna. He ...

dedicated a play to the events.

References

Sources

* * 1600s in the Habsburg monarchy 1610s in the Habsburg monarchy Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor Feuds Sibling rivalry {{Mil-hist-stub