| Archduke of Austria | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Biographical Information | |
| In History: | Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria |
| Family Name: | Ferdinand II |
| Title: | Archduke of Further Austria |
| Predecessor: | Ferdinand I |
| Next in Line: | Matthias |
| Born: | 1529 |
| Age: | Late 30s |
| Gender: | Male
|
| Status: | Alive |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
| Originally From: | Linz, Austria |
| Current Location: | London, England |
| Affiliations: | House of Habsburg |
| Relationship Information | |
| Interests: | Queen Elizabeth |
| Character Information | |
| First Appearance: | Dead of Night |
| Portrayed By: | Steve Byers |
| GALLERY | |
Archduke Ferdinand is a new suitor to Queen Elizabeth who would like to have a real and honest relationship with her.
Personality[]
Ferdinand is a kind man who genuinely wants real love with his future wife. However, he can be a little manipulative as well.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Ferdinand previously tried to court Mary Stuart.
Season 4[]
A Better Man
Ferdinand was first introduced to Her Majesty at Queen Elizabeth's Birthday. She took him to the gardens to get better aquatinted during the party.
Dead of Night
Ferdinand met with Queen Elizabeth for a private sit down. He expressed his desire for a real relationship if they both agreed to wed. Elizabeth agreed and reminded him not to go public with their possible engagement until all the details were worked out between their two countries.
The next day they met in the gardens where he invited her for a scenic carriage ride that night.
The Shakedown - (Mentioned)
Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth's engagement would be officially announced in a few weeks.
Elizabeth and Gideon were discovered kissing by Jane. Queen Elizabeth yelled she cannot risk her reputation. She was the "Virgin Queen" and her marriage to Ferdinand would be her best protection against her enemies, all would be undone if Jane lived to speak.
Coup de Grace
Queen Elizabeth and Ferdinand consummated their relationship and are officially engaged. He also reveals he is the nephew to King Philip of Spain.
A Bride. A Box. A Body.
Elizabeth and the Archduke are talking about Gideon Blackburn. Elizabeth says he is a long-term confidante, a skilled advisor and diplomat, whose journeys for the Crown have met with spectacular success. The Archduke insist he is in-love him her. Elizabeth agreed he might be as many are. She is the queen of England and represent something glorious, for everyone. And if he want to banish every person who is dazzled by her, they'd be a nation of mainly women.
Later Elizabeth and Gideon are talking. She told the archduke she loved him, and she would never give him up. His family's already taken advantage of his rise in station. He needs their marriage, and she needs to marry him. But she will always be his.
Blood in the Water - (Mentioned)
Queen Elizabeth thinks it was the Archduke who poisoned Gideon Blackburn, as he was the only one who had motive. He knew how much she loved Gideon and that she would never end the affair. After he left Elizabeth in England, to grieve on her own while he tends to business. She then tells Jane The archduke has a Portuguese ship sailing to Austria, his family's business depends on the gold it carries. And she is going to steal it.
Jane informs Lord Narcisse Elizabeth is planning a naval attack to cripple the Archduke's finances. But Narcisse wants him dead. For them to walk away from this cleanly, Elizabeth needs to believe that justice has been served. Narcisse want Jane to convince Elizabeth to order an assassination, as killing the archduke would risk retribution from Austria and Spain. Elizabeth ensures her own downfall, and Jane would retire comfortably to France.
Days later, Jane informs Queen Elizabeth, Naval Commander Francis Drake had arrived, their meeting set up by John Hawkins. Elizabeth told him she had a special mission that requires his naval expertise and ships. There was a Portuguese freighter filled with jewels, gold, silver setting sail for Austria, and she wanted that cargo for England. Adding the operation cannot be traced back to her, and he will be well compensated. Francis Drake confirm they will utilize blank sails, and hide any semblance of British emblems during your attack. In return, Elizabeth will gibe them 10% of the haul.
All It Cost Her
Ferdinand presents Elizabeth a new marriage contract - one that is far more advantageous for him than it is for England - and Elizabeth isn't inclined to sign it. That is, until Ferdinand vows to use his connection to the Spanish ambassador to spare her a war with Spain.
However, upon learning that her cousin is no longer a threat, Elizabeth calls off the marriage with the Archduke, as it is no longer of strategic importance to England.
Notes[]
- Nephew to King Philip of Spain. [1]
- Queen Elizabeth and the Archduke consummated their relationship despite not being married. [1]
Historical Notes[]
- There were four Archduke Ferdinands in the 1500's, but in the series one is already dead, and the other two aren't born.
- Ferdinand II, Archduke of Further Austria was born in 1529, and as it is 1565, it would make him 36 years old to Queen Elizabeth's 32.
- Archduke of Further Austria was actually still married to his first wife, who doesn't die for another 15 years in 1580.
Appearances[]
| Season Four | ||||||||||
| With Friends Like These | A Grain of Deception | Leaps of Faith | Playing With Fire | Highland Games | Love & Death | Hanging Swords | Uncharted Waters | |||
| Pulling Strings | A Better Man | Dead of Night | The Shakedown | Coup de Grace | A Bride. A Box. A Body. | Blood in the Water | All It Cost Her | |||
References[]
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