Charles VII vs Ferdinand III

After his election, Austrian forces under Maria Theresa invaded and occupied Bavaria, Charles VII's hereditary lands. He was forced to flee to Frankfurt, and his rule as emperor was largely nominal, as he lacked effective control over the empire.

Charles VII, a Wittelsbach prince, was elected Holy Roman Emperor during the War of the Austrian Succession, becoming the first non-Habsburg emperor in over 300 years. His election was supported by France and Prussia, challenging Habsburg dominance.

Charles VII died in Munich shortly after returning from exile, ending his brief and troubled reign. His death allowed the Habsburgs to regain the imperial title, as his son Maximilian III Joseph made peace with Maria Theresa.

As Ferdinand III was not yet emperor, this event is misattributed. Actually, Ferdinand III succeeded his father Ferdinand II in 1637. He did not issue the Edict of Restitution; that was his father's act. Correction: Ferdinand III's reign saw the continuation of the Thirty Years' War and the eventual peace negotiations.

Ferdinand III, then King of Hungary and Bohemia, commanded imperial and Spanish forces to a decisive victory over the Swedish army at N

Ferdinand III, as Holy Roman Emperor, concluded the Peace of Westphalia with France and Sweden, ending the Thirty Years' War. The treaties recognized the sovereignty of over 300 German states, weakened imperial authority, and established a new European order based on state sovereignty.