WILLIAM COXE

HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA, FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE MONARCHY BY RHODOLPII OF HAPSBURGH, TO THE DEATH OF LEOPOLD THE SECOND: 1218 to 1792.

VOL. I.

HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA, FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE MONARCHY BY RHODOLPII OF HAPSBURGH, TO THE DEATH OF LEOPOLD THE SECOND: 1218 to 1792.

VOL. II.

HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA, FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE MONARCHY BY RHODOLPII OF HAPSBURGH, TO THE DEATH OF LEOPOLD THE SECOND: 1218 to 1792.

VOL. III.

HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF AUSTRIA, FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE MONARCHY BY RHODOLPII OF HAPSBURGH, TO THE DEATH OF LEOPOLD THE SECOND: 1218 to 1792.EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF AUSTRIA, From Francis I. to the Close of the Revolution of 1848-9. VOL. IV.

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HOUSE OF AUSTRIA.CHAPTERS .

I. 1218-1273. — Origin and Succession of the Family of Hapsburgh. II. 1273-1275. — Rhodolph elected king of the Romans. III. 1275-1286. — War between Rhodolph and Ottocar, King of Bohemia. IV. 1276-1291. — Affairs of Italy. Transactions of Rhodolph with the Popes and the King of Naples. V. 1291-1308. — Embarrassed situation of Albert on the Death of Rhodolph. VI. 1298-1308. — Hostile Conduct and Arrogance of Boniface VIII. VII. 1303-1330. — Punishment of the Conspirators. VIII. 1330-1358. — Joint Succession of Albert II. and Otho. IX. 1359-1394. — Sons of Albert the Wise; Rhodolph IV., Frederic II., Albert III., Leopold II. X. 1365-1411. — Transactions of Albert III. and IV. Sons of Leopold ; William Leopold III., Ernest, and Frederic IV. XI. 1411-1435. — History of the Albertine Line. XII. 1437-1439. — Endeavours of Sigismond to procure for Albert the Crowns of Hungary and Bohemia. XIII. 1439-1458. — Birth of Ladislaus Posthumus. XIV. 1384-1496. — Line of Tyrol. XV. 1383-1449 History of the Styrian Line. XVI. 1441-1452. Frederic succeeds in healing the Schism of the Church, and procures the Acknowledgment of Eugenius, and the Abdication of Felix. XVII. 1452-1475. — Death of Ladislaus Posthumus. XVIII. 1458-1489. — Contests of Frederic with the Kings of Bohemia and Hungary. XIX. 1489-1493. — Death of Matthias of Hungary. XX. 1493. — State of Europe at the Accession of Maximilian. XXI. 1493-1499. — Maximilian espouses Bianca Maria Sforza. XXII. 1499-1505. — Invasion and Conquest of Milan by Louis XII. XXIII. 1503-1508. — Disputes between the French and Spaniards for the Possession of Naples. XXIV. 1509-1516. — Origin and Conclusion of the League of Cambray against the Venetians. XXV. 1500-1519 Affairs of Germany. XXVI. 1518-1521. — Birth and Education of Charles. XXVII. 1519-1522. — Extensive Dominions and vast In- fluence of Charles. XXVIII. 1521-1529. — Return of Luther to Wittemberg. XXIX. 1529-1534. — Charles concludes Peace with the Pope and the King of France, for the Purpose of crushing the Protestants. XXX. 1534-1550. — Review of the Conduct of Charles towards the Protestants. XXXI. 1550-1555 Surrender of Magdeburgh. XXXII. 1555-1558. — Abdication of Charles. Retreat to the Convent of St. Justus. XXXIII. 1503-1563. — Birth and Education of Ferdinand, Founder of the German Branch of the House of Austria. XXXIV. 1525-1562 Civil and religious State of Bohemia at the Election of Ferdinand.

VOL. II.

XXXV. 1522-1564 Ferdinand baffles the Views of Charles to procure the Reversion of the Imperial Crown for his Son Philip. XXXVI. 1527-1566. — Situation of the House of Austria in consequence of the Separation of the two Branches, and the Introduction of the Lutheran Doctrines into Germany and the Hereditary Dominions. XXXVII. 1564-1574. — Troubles derived from the Intro- duction of the Reformation into the different Countries of Europe. XXXVIII. 1567-1576. — Affairs of Religion in the hereditary Countries. XXXIX. 1572-1576. — Rhodolph, son of Maximilian, crowned King of Hungary and Bohemia. XL. 1576-1603. —Accession of Rhodolph II. XLI. 1576-1609. — Persecution of the Protestants in the Austrian Dominions, and in the Empire. XLII. 1576-1606. — Rhodolph cedes the Frontier Garrisons of Hungary to his Uncle Charles, Duke of Styria. XLIII. 1606-1609. — Education, Character, and early Life . XLIV. 1609-1612. — Recommencement of the Troubles in Bohemia. XLV. 1612-1618. — Disturbed Situation of Germany during the Interregnum. XLVI. 1619. — Rise of the religious Troubles in Bohemia. XLVII. 1619. — Accession of Ferdinand II. XLVIII. 1619, 1620. — The Siege of Vienna raised. XLIX. 1621-1623. — Re-establishment of the Austrian Government in Bohemia. L. 1624-1629. — Hostile Views of England against the House of Austria. LI. 1628-1630. — Ascendency and ambitious Designs of Ferdinand. LII. 1630,1631. — Situation of Sweden. LIII. 1631, 1632 Gustavus compels the Elector of Brandenburgh to enter into an Alliance, and deliver up his Fortresses. LIV. 1632. — Dangerous situation of Ferdinand. LV. 1632-1634. — Transactions after the Death of Gustavus. LVI. 1634-1637. — Arrangements after the Assassination of Wallenstein. LVII. 1637-1641 Accession of Ferdinand III. LVIII. 164O-1648 Continuation of the War. LIX. 1637-1648. — Account of the Negotiations which terminated in the Peace of Westphalia. LX. 1648-1657. — Delays and Difficulties in executing the Peace of Westphalia. LXI. 1657-1660. — Accession of Leopold I. LXII. 1660-1664 Affairs of Hungary and Transylvania. LXIII. 1664. — State of the European Powers. LXIV. 1664-1679. — Death of Philip IV of Spain, and Accession of Charles II. LXV. 1679-1697. — Usurpations and Incroachments of Louis XIV. on the Empire and Spain. LXVI. 1667-1699. — Revival of the Discontents in Hungary. LXVII. 1697-1700. — Views of Leopold on the Spanish Succession. LXVIII. 1702,1703. — Indignation excited at Vienna by the Transfer of the Spanish Monarchy to the House of Bourbon. LXIX. 1703, 1704 Campaign of 1703, in the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. LXX. 1704. — Critical Situation of the Emperor. LXXI. 1705 Death, Character, and Family of Leopold

VOL. III.

LXXII. 1705, 1706. — Accession of Joseph I. LXXIII. 1706. — Campaign in the Netherlands. LXXIV. 1707. — Attempts of Louis to divide the Allies. LXXV. 1708. — Campaign of 1708. LXXVI. 1709. — Negotiations for Peace. XXVII. 1710, 1711. — Congress of Gertruydenherg. XXVIII. 1709,1711. — War in Spain. XXIX. 1705-1711. — Affairs of Hungary. XXX. 1685-1712.— Charles proclaimed King of Spain. XXXI. 1711-1714. — Military Preparations of Charles. XXXII. 1706-1719.— Formation of a Barrier in the Netherlands against France. XXXIII. 1715-1718. — Hostilities with the Turks. XXXIV. 1715-1720. — Negotiations with- England. LXXXV. 1718. —Power of Charles VI. LXXXVI. 1718-1722. — Situation of the European Powers after the Quadruple Alliance. LXXXVII. 1718-1727.— Unexpected Union of Austria and Spain. LXXXVIII. 1727-1731. — Death of George I. LXXXIX. 1731-1733. — Religious Disputes. XC. 1733, 1734. — Competitors for the Throne of Poland. XCI. 1733-1739. — Conduct of The Emperor in regard to the Polish Election. XCII. 1736, 1737. — Marriage of the Archduchess Maria Theresa with Francis of Loraine. XCIII. 1738. — Second Campaign against the Turks. XCIV. 1739. — Belgrade besieged by the Turks. XCV. 1739, 1740.— Degradation of the Imperial Court. XCVI. 1740. — Death of the King of Prussia. XCVII. 1740. — Accession of Maria Theresa. XCVI1I. 1740, 1741 —Irruption of the King of Prussia into Silesia. XCIX. 1741. — Effect of the Defeat of Molwitz. C. 1741. — Hostilities by the Elector of Bavaria. CI. 1741. — Progress of the King of Prussia. CII. 1741, 1742. — Capture of Prague. CIII. 1742. — Distressed Situation of France. CIV. 1743 Death of Cardinal Fleury. CV. 1744. — France declares War against England and Austria. CVI. 1745. — Death of Charles VII. CVII. 1746, 1747. — Rebellion in Scotland. CVIII. 1748 Dissensions between the Courts of Vienna and London. CIX. 1749-1756. — State of the Cabinet. CX. 1756. — Separation of Austria from the Maritime Powers. CXI. 1756. — The King of Prussia invades Saxony. CXII. 1 757. — Grand Confederacy against Prussia. CXIII. 1758. — Success of the Russians. CXIV. 1759 Maria Theresa warmly supported by her Allies. CXV. 1760. — Distressed Situation of the King of Prussia. CXVI. 1761. — Plans of the Campaign. CXVII. 1762. — Favourable Aspect of Austrian Affairs. CXVIII. 1762-1769. — Joseph elected King of the Romans. CXIX. 1769-1777. — Partition of Poland. CXX. 1777. — Marriage of the Archduchess Maria Antoinetta with the Dauphin. CXXI. 1777-1779. — Death of the Elector of Bavaria. CXXII. 1779, 1780. — Dissatisfaction of the Court of Vienna at the Conduct of France. CXXIII. 1780. — Death of Maria Theresa. CXX1V. 1780-1784. — Character of Joseph II. on his Accession. CXXV. 1781-1785. — Second Visit of Joseph to France. CXXVI. 1784-1786. — Joseph assists Catherine in her Acquisition of the Crimea. CXXVII. 1786-1788.— Death of the King of Prussia. CXXVI1I. 1787-1790. —Views of Joseph and Catherine for the Dismemberment of the Turkish Empire. CXXIX. 1787-1790. —State of the Austrian Netherlands. CXXX. 1789,1790. — Commotions in Hungary. CXXXl. 1790. — Accession of Leopold II. CXXXII. 1790,1791 Affairs of Hungary. CXXXIII. 1790, 1791 State of the Netherlands. CXXXIV. 1790-1792.— Progress of the French Revolution. Distresses of the King.

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William Coxe was born on 17 March  1748 in Dover Street, Piccadilly, London, the eldest son of William Coxe (c. 1710 – 1760), a physician to the king's household, and his wife, Martha, daughter of Paul D'Aranda. He was the older brother of the writer and poet Peter Coxe (c. 1753–1844), who wrote the poem "Social Day". Following his father's death in 1760, his mother married John Christopher Smith, who was Handel's amanuensis.

Educated at Marylebone Grammar School (1753–54) and then at Eton College (1754–64), Coxe matriculated to King's College, Cambridge at Easter 1765. He received his BA in 1769, and his MA in 1772. From 1768 to 1771, he was a fellow of King's College. Coxe was ordained a deacon in London on 21 December 1771 and a priest on 15 March 1772.

Coxe travelled throughout Europe as a tutor and travelling companion to various noblemen and gentlemen, including Lord Herbert, son of the Earl of Pembroke; and Samuel Whitbread of the brewing family. He wrote prodigious and detailed accounts of his travels with Lord Herbert around the Swiss and French Alps, which were subsequently published. 

In 1786 he was appointed vicar of Kingston upon Thames, and in 1788 rector of Fugglestone St Peter-with-Bemerton, Wiltshire. He also held the rectory of Stourton, Wiltshire from 1801 to 1811 and that of Fovant from 1811 until his death. In 1791 he was made prebendary of Salisbury, and in 1804 Archdeacon of Wilts until his death twenty-four years later at age 80. He died on 8 June 1828 in Bemerton, and was buried in the chancel of St Peter's Church at Fugglestone St Peter. His library was sold from the rectory at Bemerton by London bookseller R. H. Evans, on 11 August 1828 (and four following days). A priced copy of the catalogue, containing many of Coxe's works, is at Cambridge University Library .

In 1803, Coxe married Eleanora, daughter of William Shairp, consul-general for Russia, and widow of Thomas Yeldham of St Petersburg.

Coxe's literary style featured a detached, unemotional, objective voice that, though typical of the historiography of his day, came to be seen as arch and quaint by later generations.