The Children of Adam and Eve

Leopold I (Holy Roman Empire) (1640-1705), Holy Roman emperor (1658-1705),
king of Bohemia (1656-1705), and king of Hungary (1655-87), who extended
the Habsburg possessions, created a standing imperial army, and
consolidated the central Austrian administration. He was born in Vienna,
the son of Emperor Ferdinand III. His reign was Marked by wars,
particularly against the Ottoman Turks and France. The first war against
the Turks was concluded by a compromise in 1664, but when the Turks
besieged Vienna in 1683, they were defeated by John III Sobieski of
Poland, leading the combined Polish and imperial forces. Leopold's
general, Prince Eugene of Savoy, finally defeated the Turks at Senta in
1697, and the Treaty of Karlowitz (1699) acknowledged Habsburg control
over virtually all Hungary.

Leopold's wars with France were less successful. The first ended in the
Treaty of Nijmegen (1679), which enhanced Louis XIV's power. Leopold later
joined the League of Augsburg and the Grand Alliance against France. Peace
was ultimately made by the Treaty of Ryswick (1697), but four years later
Leopold was again emBroiled with France in the War of the Spanish
Succession (1701-14). He did not, However, live to see it to a conclusion;
he died on May 5, 1705, and was succeeded by his son, Joseph I.