Live auction - fme_997866 - PAYS-BAS AUTRICHIENS - FRANÇOIS II D'AUTRICHE Médaille, Visite de l’empereur au Pays-Bas

AUSTRIAN NETHERLANDS - FRANCIS II OF AUSTRIA

(1792-1794)

François II (02/12/1768-03/2/1835) is the son of Leopold II, grandson of François I and Marie-Thérèse, nephew of Joseph II. He succeeded his father in 1792 in the midst of the French Revolution, was the last emperor of the Holy Empire (1792-1806) and the first emperor of Austria. He lost Lombardy and the Netherlands by the Treaty of Campo-Formio in 1797 and the Treaty of Lunéville took away his possessions on the left bank of the Rhine. Enemy of Napoleon, he was beaten at Austerlitz and was forced to recognize the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806. He was beaten again at Wagram in 1809, Vienna was occupied. He is obliged to sign the Treaty of Schönbrunn. He sacrificed his daughter Marie-Louise, whom he gave in marriage to Napoleon in 1810. From 1813, he joined the coalition which united against his son-in-law. The Congress of Vienna of 1814-1815, masterfully led by Prince Metternich, confirmed Austria's return to the international arena. He is President of the German Confederation and the champion of conservatism in Europe.