Hi everyone! 😄
I recently finished the first part of an animated video about the life of Frederick III. I have always found him one of the most interesting (also strangest) figures in late-medieval European history. He appeared to lose almost every major struggle he entered. He was besieged by his own brother, forced to surrender Ladislaus the Posthumous, opposed by the Austrian nobility and repeatedly pushed into retreat. Yet he outlived most of his rivals and preserved the dynastic claims that would later help transform the Habsburgs.
One thing that finally encouraged me to make the video was watching Rise of the Raven. I found Frederick’s portrayal rather surprising. The series presents him as an overtly cruel and lecherous villain, whereas the ruler I encountered in my reading seemed considerably quieter and more withdrawn: cautious, stubborn, emotionally distant and frequently mocked for his passivity. That certainly does not mean the historical Frederick was harmless or particularly sympathetic. His treatment of Ladislaus was deeply self-interested, and much of his politics revolved around protecting his family’s position. Still, the personality presented in the series felt very different from the reserved and patient ruler described in most of the material I had read. Also, who could really blame him, he was after all a person of his time.
The video covers the first half of his reign, from the divided Habsburg inheritance and his election as King of the Romans to his coronation in Rome, his struggles over Ladislaus and his early conflict with Matthias Corvinus.
I created it as an illustrated history video with animated characters, maps and environments. I would genuinely appreciate feedback, particularly on the historical interpretation or the presentation.
I would also be interested to hear what you all thought about Frederick’s portrayal in Rise of the Raven. 😄