18th Cent. Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor.

Archduke Joseph of Austria with his Siblings
Detail by Martin van Meytens
1754

Archduke Joseph Benedict August Johann Anton Michael Adam of Austria was born on 13 March 1741, at Schloss Scönbrunn, in Wien, Austria. He was the first son of Maria Theresia, Holy Roman Empress (13 May 1717 - 29 November 1780) and Franz I, Holy Roman Emperor (8 December 1708 - 18 August 1765). His maternal grandparents were Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Holy Roman Empress (28 August 1691 - 21 December 1750) and Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor (1 October 1685 - 20 October 1740). His paternal grandparents were Princess Elisabeth Charlotte of Orléans, Duchess Consort of Lorraine and Bar (13 September 1676 - 23 December 1744) and Léopold Joseph Charles, Duc de Lorraine. Joseph's parents were married on 12 February 1736. His siblings included: Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria (5 February 1737 - 6 June 1740), Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria (6 October 1738 - 19 November 1789) Archduchess Maria Karolina of Austria (12 January 1740 - 25 January 1741), Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria (13 May 1742 - 24 June 1798), Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria (13 August 1743 - 22 September 1808), Archduke Charles Joseph of Austria (1 February 1745 - 18 January 1761), Archduchess Maria Amalia of Austria (26 February 1746 - 9 June 1804), Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor (5 May 1747 - 1 March 1792), Archduchess Maria Johanna Gabriela of Austria (4 February 1750 - 23 December 1762), Archduchess Maria Josepha of Austria (19 March 1751 -15 October 1767), Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria (13 August 1752 - 8 September 1814), Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (1 June 1754 -24 December 1806), Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria (2 November 1755 - 16 October 1793) and Archduke Maximilian Franz of Austria (8 December 1756 - 27 July 1801). Joseph married Isabella Maria of Parma (31 December 1741 - 27 November 1763) on 16 October 1760, in Wien. She was the daughter of Elisabeth de France (1727-1759) and Prince Felipe of Spain (1720-1765). Isabella gave birth to a daughter, Maria Theresia on 20 March 1762. Isabella gave birth to a second daughter on 22 November 1763, who died soon afterwards.

The Children of Isabella Maria of Parma and Joseph II:

Maria Theresia, Archduchess of Austria (20 March 1762 - 23 January 1770)

Christina, Archduchess of Austria (22 November 1763 - 22 November 1763)

Isabella Maria died on 27 November 1763. According to a letter Joseph wrote to her father, "I have lost everything, my adored wife, my only friend is no more! Grief-stricken and downcast, I hardly know if I am still alive." Joseph married his second wife, Princess Maria Josepha of Bavaria (1739 - 28 May 1767) on 23 January 1765, at Schönbrunn Palace. His father, Francis Stephen died on 18 August 1765, in Innsbruck. He was interred at the Imperial Crypt, in Wien. After his death, Maria Theresia recognized Joseph, as co-Regent. His wife, Maria Josepha died of smallpox on 28 May 1767. His daughter, Maria Theresia died of pleurisy on 23 January 1770. Joseph was heartbroken, "I have ceased to be a father. Oh my god, restore to me my daughter..." In 1779, the Treaty of Teschen gave Austria insignificant territorial gains. His mother, Maria Theresia died on 29 November 1780, in Wien, Austria. She was interred at the Imperial Crypt, in Wien. She was succeeded by her son, Joseph II. In December 1787, Joseph II appointed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) as his Chamber Composer. In 1787, Austria became involved in a war with the Ottoman Empire. Joseph II died on 20 February 1790, in Wien, Austria. He was interred at the Imperial Crypt. He was succeeded by his brother, as Leopold II.

"I am a Royalist by trade" Joseph II