Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor

Charles VI (Karl; 1 October 1685 – 20 October 1740) was Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Austrian Habsburg monarchy from 1711 until his death, succeeding his elder brother, Joseph I. He unsuccessfully claimed the throne of Spain following the death of his relative, Charles II. In 1708, he married Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, by whom he had his four children: Leopold Johann (who died in infancy), Maria Theresa (the last direct Habsburg sovereign), Maria Anna (Governess of the Austrian Netherlands), and Maria Amalia (who also died in infancy). Four years before the birth of Maria Theresa, faced with his lack of male heirs, Charles provided for a male-line succession failure with the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713. The Emperor favoured his own daughters over those of his elder brother and predecessor, Joseph I, in the succession, ignoring the decree he had signed during the reign of his father, Leopold I. Charles sought the other European powers' approval. They demanded significant terms, among which were that Austria close the Ostend Company. In total, Great Britain, France, Saxony-Poland, the Dutch Republic, Spain, Venice, States of the Church, Prussia,Russia, Denmark, Kingdom of Sardinia, Bavaria, and the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire recognised the sanction. France, Spain, Saxony-Poland, Bavaria and Prussia later reneged. Charles died in 1740, sparking the War of the Austrian Succession, which plagued his successor, Maria Theresa

Issue

 * 1) Archduke Leopold Johann of Austria (13 April 1716 – 4 November 1716) died young.
 * 2) Maria Theresa of Austria (Empress Maria Theresa) (13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) married Francis III Stephen, Duke of Lorraine (later Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and had issue.
 * 3) Maria Anna of Austria (14 September 1718 – 16 December 1744) married Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine and died in childbirth.
 * 4) Maria Amalia	of Austria (5 April 1724 – 19 April 1730) died in infancy.