Ferdinand II - Deutscher Kaiser (1578-1637) after an anonymous miniature 1535. Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (July 9, 1578 - February 15, 1637), of the House of Habsburg, reigned as Holy Roman Emperor from 1619-1637. He was also the Archduke of Styria (Inner Austria) from 1590 - 1637, King of Bohemia from 1617-1619 and again from 1620-1637, as well as King of Hungary from 1618-1625. A devout Catholic, his recognition as King of Bohemia and suppression of Protestantism precipitated the early events of the Thirty Years' War. The duration of his reign was occupied by confessional and military concerns. 固opFoto