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Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor

Vienna, 1741 – Vienna, 20 Feb 1790

15 facts3 sources

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About Joseph

Joseph II: Imperial Rule and Habsburg Family

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records Joseph II’s birth in Vienna in 1741 and his death in Vienna in 1790; both entries are marked probable and disputed. He served as Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790. 123

He was also Apostolic King of Hungary from 1780 to 1790. The collection records his union with Maria Josepha of Bavaria, and this union is marked confirmed. 45

The collection’s summary identifies Joseph as the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I, and names Leopold II among his brothers. The parent records separately link him to Maria Theresa and Francis. 678

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

  • Born1741, ViennaRecords disagree1 source
  • MarriedMaria Josepha of Bavarianot verified1 source
  • TitlePrince-Electoror Holy Roman Emperor, 1765–1790 · Apostolic King of Hungary, 1780–1790 · King of Bohemia, 1780–1790not verified1 source
  • TitleHoly Roman Emperor, 1765–1790or Apostolic King of Hungary, 1780–1790 · King of Bohemia, 1780–1790 · Prince-Electornot verified1 source
  • TitleApostolic King of Hungary, 1780–1790or Holy Roman Emperor, 1765–1790 · King of Bohemia, 1780–1790 · Prince-Electornot verified1 source
  • TitleKing of Bohemia, 1780–1790or Holy Roman Emperor, 1765–1790 · Apostolic King of Hungary, 1780–1790 · Prince-Electornot verified1 source
  • Died20 Feb 1790, ViennaRecords disagree1 source
  • MotherMaria Theresa of Austrianot verified1 source
  • FatherFrancis I, Holy Roman Emperornot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 1741

    Born in Vienna

  2. 1762–1763

    2 children are born

  3. 1765–1790

    Holy Roman Emperor

  4. 1780–1790

    Apostolic King of Hungary

  5. 1780–1790

    King of Bohemia

  6. 20 Feb 1790

    Dies in Vienna

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partners

Children · 2

During his lifetime

He lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Vienna.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1740s · Joseph is born in Vienna

What people wore

Feast day versus daily wear

For feast days, people wore finer clothing, such as a blouse made of fine linen, whereas daily work clothes were made of coarse linen.

Getting around

Travel times by carriage in the 1700s

In the 18th century, a 30-kilometer trip between St. Pölten and Melk took 5 to 7 hours, while a 115-kilometer journey to St. Florian took 20 to 28 hours.

At the table

Meager diet of the common people

The vast majority of the population ate very meagerly, relying on dishes made from legumes like peas, beans, and lentils, as well as porridges made from millet, oats, or barley. Meat was only rarely served to the common person.

War of the Austrian Succession. When Maria Theresa inherited the Habsburg lands, Prussia seized Silesia and much of Europe joined the fight.In Europe · 1740–1748

War of the Austrian Succession. When Maria Theresa inherited the Habsburg lands, Prussia seized Silesia and much of Europe joined the fight.

DavidDijkgraaf · CC0

Music

Trumpets and timpani dominated Viennese ceremonies

During the 1740s, trumpets and timpani were the most frequently documented instruments in Vienna, performing at royal festivals, university ceremonies, and significant church events.

Daily life

Feeding children with bread-based pap

It was fashionable to feed young children a semisolid pap made of flour or bread cooked in water or milk to keep them quiet. Wealthy households often employed wet nurses and nannies to assist with the demands of child care.

What it cost

Vienna wages and meat prices 1749

By 1749, the daily wage for a worker in Vienna remained 15 Kreuzer, but the price of beef had risen to 8.93 Kreuzer per kilogram.