Abstract
‘The imperial vision: 11th to 16th century’ describes the efforts of key Habsburgs—such as Rudolf, Rudolf IV, Frederick III, and Maximilian—to expand their empire, sometimes under false pretences. By forging important documents, Rudolf IV gave his predecessors a pedigree that went back to classical Rome. Amplified by Frederick III and Maximilian I, an intertwined imperial and dynastic mystique made it hard to conceive of any other dynasty except the Habsburgs holding the office of emperor. The fight between Catholicism and Lutheranism under the rule of Charles V and the defence of Europe against the Turks are also described.
