Matthias was born in Vienna on 24 February 1557 as the third son of the Emperor Maximilian II. Matthias lived primarily in Vienna where he formed a close relationship with its bishop Melchior Klesl who would later become one of his chief advisors. Matthias' eldest brother, the Emperor Rudolph II, was an ineffective ruler, and Matthias slowly established his power in his lands. During the Hungarian which began when Rudolph attempted to force Roman Catholicism on the kingdom, Matthias forced him 1605 to let him deal with the situation. The result was the Peace of Vienna in 1606 which granted leigious freedom in Hungary. Matthias was also recognised as the heir apparent in the Holy Roman Empire due to Rudolph's increasing insanity.