TDIH - January 12 This Day in (Medieval) History: January 12 1519 - Maximilian I (Archduke of Austria and Holy Roman Emperor) died at Wels, Austria. Maximilian held the imperial title from 1508 onwards, expanded the lands of his family (the Habsburgs), and was offered the position of Pope by the Council of Pisa but declined. By signing the Treaty of Basel in 1499 he was induced to allow the independence of the Swiss Confederation, previously under Hapsburg control. 1554 - Queen Mary I of England met with a marriage embassy for Prince Philip of Spain, whom she subsequently married later that year on July 25th.