Ernst, Erzherzog von Österreich#
b. Vienna, July 15, 1553, d. Brussels (Belgium), Feb. 12, 1595, raised with his brother Rudolf II at the Spanish Court, 1573 and 1587 candidate for the Polish throne. From 1576, governor of Austria above and below the River Enns, where he spurred on the Counter-Reformation; from 1590 governor of Inner Austria, 1594 King Philip II of Spain called upon him to become governor of the Netherlands. He was constantly sent to critical areas in the struggle between the denominations.