Rudolf II: The Life and Legend of the Mad Emperor

by Thomas DaCosta Kaufmann

A reinterpretation of the Habsburgian ruler's reign as exemplary rather than reclusive.

Rudolf II offers a fresh perspective on the Habsburg ruler, shedding new light on a reign often colored by myths of madness. Thomas DaCosta Kaufmann argues that, contrary to popular belief, Rudolf was not a passive recluse but an engaged monarch, navigating the complexities of state affairs with a moderate hand amid turbulent times. By contextualizing...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1836390610
• ISBN13: 9781836390619
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Length: 288 Pages