Christian IV (1577-1648) was King of Denmark and Norway from 1588 to 1648. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) covered the whole of his reign. Christian, a member of the House of Oldenburg, instituted several reforms in the Danish navy. A cultured man, Christian was a skilled dancer and interested in art and music as well as being able to speak several languages.
2. England
Answer: Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I (1533-1603), last of the Tudor dynasty, ruled as Queen of England from 1558 to 1603. In matters of religion, she attempted to steer a moderate course between Protestantism and Catholicism. She was the daughter of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII.
She rallied the nation in 1588 at the time of the Spanish Armada. Falling out of favor late in her reign, she was succeeded by her cousin, King James of Scotland.
3. France
Answer: Henry IV
Henry (Henri) IV or the Good (1553-1610) was the first Bourbon King of France from 1589 to 1610 as well as King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. A Hugenot, he converted from Protestantism to Catholicism in order to gain the support of the people of France.
He issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598 which granted a high degree of religious toleration to Protestants in France. After his assassination, he was succeeded by his young son as Louis XIII.
4. Holy Roman Empire
Answer: Rudolf II
Rudolf II (1552-1612) of the Habsburg Dynasty, was Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1576 to 1612. He was also King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia and Archduke of Austria at various points during his reign. A cultured man, he was more interested in art and learning than travel.
More tolerant than some other Habsburg rulers, his problems with the Ottoman Empire are seen as an indirect cause of the Thirty Years' War.
5. Poland
Answer: Sigismund III
Sigismund III Vasa (1566-1632) was King of the United Monarchy of Poland and Lithuania from 1588 to 1632. He was also King of Sweden from 1592 to 1599. Under his reign, the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania reached its peak. Attempts to regain the throne of Sweden would cause him to involve Poland-Lithuania in a series of conflicts.
6. Prussia
Answer: Albert Frederick
Albert Frederick (1553-1618), of the House of Hohenzollern, was Duke of Prussia from 1568 to 1618. Early in his reign he began showing signs of mental instability and by the late 1570s Prussia was ruled on his behalf by a series of regents. He married Marie Eleonore of Cleves and had eight children.
His son-in-law, the Elector of Brandenberg, would succeed him as Duke of Prussia, uniting the two regions.
7. Russia
Answer: Boris
Boris Gudunov (1553-1605) ruled as Tsar of Russia from 1598 to 1605. Previously he hard served as regent (1588-1598) for his brother-in-law, the mentally troubled Feodor I, last of the Rurikid Tsars of Russia. Boris was generally a successful Tsar, but his successor and son, Feodor II, only ruled for a few months before Russia descended into the Time of Troubles which would lead to the rise of the Romanov Dynasty.
8. Scotland
Answer: James VI
James VI (1566-1625) was King of Scotland from 1567 to 1625 as well as the first King James of England from 1603 to 1625. A member of the Stuart Dynasty, he was described as "the wisest fool in Christendom". Guy Fawkes (with others) attempted to blow up Parliament while was king in 1605 and the colony of Jamestown was founded in Virginia in 1607.
While not Scotland's or England' greatest king, he died--unlike his mother (Mary, Queen of Scots) or son (Charles I)--of natural causes in his own bed.
9. Spain
Answer: Philip III
Philip III (1578-1621) was the Habsburg King of Spain from 1598 to 1621. Known as Philip the Pious, he is largely seen as an ineffectual ruler. During his reign, peace was temporarily achieved with the Netherlands as that land fought for its independence from Spain. Philip ruled, in addition to the modern country Spain, Portugal, parts of Italy, and many colonies in Central and South America and the Philippines.
10. Tuscany
Answer: Ferdinand I
Ferdinand (Ferdinando) I (1549-1609) was Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1587 to 1609. A member of the Medici family, he was generally a successful ruler. Tuscany gained in wealth and he promoted the idea of religious toleration. He attempted to lessen Spanish influence over Tuscany. He would be succeeded by his son, Cosimo II.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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