The house of Habsburg reportedly began ruling Bohemia in 1562, developing close ties with Spain. María Mendoza brought an image of hat was said to be the child Jesus, though he was dressed in aristocratic robes, on the occasion of her marriage to Vratislav. Maria’s mother, Doña Isabelle had reportedly been given the statue by Teresa of Avilla. It was placed in the monastery of our lady of Victory, Prague.
During the thirty years war beginning 1618, the statue was thrown in a pile behind the altar where it was found in 1637. Since 1788 the statue’s two raised fingers have worn two rings said to be as a thanksgiving for the healing of a girl. The 30 years war was reportedly a revolt against the Habsburgs by Saxons and Bohemian Germans thought to be of the Lutheran faith who were followers of Jon Hus. Jon Hus was a priest and teacher who was said to have taught his own ideas. 2stimated deaths were 4.5 to 8 million. The peace of Prague supposedly ended Saxon involvment in the war, but was followed by a Swedish invasion.
A family feud between Rudolf II, 1552-1612 and his brothers is believed to have weakened the Habsburg dynasty. Emperor Ferdinand II who was sent to study at a Jesuit college in Bavaria in order to seperate from saxon influence was replaced by Frederick V, a Calvinist, though Calvinists differed in opinion, left and right.
The peace of Westphalia 1646-48 was reportedly a series of lengthy talks resulting in two treaties. France though supposedly catholic opposed Spain and the Habsburgs.