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List of rulers of Austria

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Margraves, Dukes, Archdukes and Emperors of Austria
Details
StyleArchduchy period:
First monarchLeopold I (as margrave)
Last monarchCharles I (as emperor)
Formation21 July 976
Abolition12 November 1918
ResidenceHofburg, Vienna
(from the ducal period onwards)

From 976 until 1246, the Margraviate of Austria and its successor, the Duchy of Austria, was ruled by the House of Babenberg. At that time, those states were part of the Holy Roman Empire. From 1246 until 1918, the duchy and its successor, the Archduchy of Austria, was ruled by the House of Habsburg. Following the defeat of Austria-Hungary in World War I, the titles were abolished or fell into abeyance with the erection of the modern Republic of Austria.

Margraves and Dukes of Austria under the House of Babenberg

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The March of Austria, also known as Marcha Orientalis, was first formed in 976 out of the lands that had once been the March of Pannonia in Carolingian times. The oldest attestation dates back to 996, where the written name "ostarrichi" occurs in a document transferring land in present-day Austria to a Bavarian monastery. In 1156, the Privilegium Minus elevated the march to a duchy, independent of the Duchy of Bavaria.

Name Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Leopold I the Illustrious c. 940
Son of Berthold of Nordgau or Arnulf, Duke of Bavaria
21 July 976 – 10 July 994 March of Austria Richardis of Sualafeldgau
nine children
10 July 994
Würzburg
aged 53-54
Founder of the Babenbergs.
Henry I the Strong c. 965 (?)
First son of Leopold I and Richardis of Sualafeldgau
10 July 994 – 23 June 1018 March of Austria Unmarried 23 June 1018
aged 53-54
In his reign (996), the name Ostarrichi (later Osterreich, Austria) appeared for the first time to designate the land he ruled.
Adalbert I the Victorious c. 985
Third son of Leopold I and Richardis of Sualafeldgau
23 June 1018 – 26 May 1055 March of Austria Glismod of West-Saxony
no children

Frozza Orseolo
c.1025?
two children
26 May 1055
Melk
aged 69-70
Expanded his Bavarian margraviate to the Morava and Leitha rivers.
Ernest the Brave 1027
Son of Adalbert I and Frozza Orseolo
26 May 1055 – 10 June 1075 March of Austria Adelaide of Eilenburg
1060
three children

Swanhilde of Ungarnmark
1072
no children
10 June 1075
aged 47-48
Expanded his Bavarian margraviate to the Morava and Leitha rivers.
Leopold II the Fair 1050
Son of Ernest and Adelaide of Eilenburg
10 June 1075 – 12 October 1095 March of Austria Ida of Formbach-Ratelnberg
1065
eight children
12 October 1095
Gars am Kamp
aged 44-45
Supported the Gregorian Reforms, and was an active opponent to Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor during the Investiture Controversy.
Leopold III the Saint 1073
Gars am Kamp
Son of Leopold II and Ida of Formbach-Ratelnberg
12 October 1095 – 15 November 1136 March of Austria Maria of Perg
no children

Agnes of Germany
1106
nineteen children
15 November 1136
Klosterneuburg
aged 62-63
His second marriage brought the margraviate of Austria closer to the Imperial family, which raised the importance of the Babenbergs. Consequently, more royal rights were granted to Austria.
Adalbert II the Pious 1106
First son of Leopold III and Agnes of Germany
15 November 1136 – 9 November 1137 March of Austria Adelaide of Poland
1128/29
no children

Hedwig of Hungary
1132
no children
9 November 1137
aged 30-31
Usually not counted as margrave,[1] despite being cited as so as early as 1119. Nevertheless, it's possible that he ruled for a year, or at least as claimant to his younger brother Leopold. If he ruled, he left no children. Knighted in 1125[2]
Leopold IV the Generous 1108
Third son of Leopold III and Agnes of Germany
9 November 1137 – 18 October 1141 March of Austria Maria of Bohemia
28 September 1138
no children
18 October 1141
Niederalteich
aged 32-33
Also Duke of Bavaria, title given to him after his struggles with the House of Welf.
Henry II Jasomirgott[3] 1107
Second son of Leopold III and Agnes of Germany
18 October 1141 – 13 January 1177 March of Austria
(until 1156)

Duchy of Austria
(from 1156)
Gertrude of Süpplingenburg
1 May 1142
one child

Theodora Komnene
1148
three children
13 January 1177
Vienna
aged 69-70
Succeeded his younger brother in Austria and also as Duke of Bavaria. Moved his capital to Vienna. In 1156, Austria was raised to a Duchy.
Leopold V the Virtuous 1157
First son of Henry II and Theodora Komnene
13 January 1177 – 31 December 1194 Duchy of Austria Helena of Hungary
1174
four children
31 December 1194
Graz
aged 36-37
Children of Henry II, divided Austria: Leopold V kept the main duchy and annexed the Duchy of Styria to his domain in 1192. He also gave his brother Henry the so-called Duchy of Mödling (title Henry used from 1205[4]), which spanned from Liesing to Piesting and Bruck an der Leitha. Henry I and his descendants became mostly interested in the arts.
Henry I the Elder 1158
Second son of Henry II and Theodora Komnene
13 January 1177 – 31 August 1223 Duchy of Mödling Richeza of Bohemia
1177
one child
31 August 1223
aged 64-65
Frederick I the Catholic 1175
First son of Leopold V and Helena of Hungary
31 December 1194 – 16 April 1198 Duchy of Austria Unmarried 16 April 1198
The Holy Land
aged 22-23
Left no children.
Leopold I the Glorious 15 October 1176
Second son of Leopold V and Helena of Hungary
16 April 1198 – 28 July 1230 Duchy of Austria Theodora Angelina
1203
seven children
28 July 1230
San Germano
aged 53
Henry II the Profane 1208
First son of Leopold I and Theodora Angelina
31 August 1223 – 29 November 1228 Duchy of Mödling Agnes of Thuringia
29 November 1225
Nuremberg
one child
29 November 1228
aged 19-20
Nephew of Henry I, apparently succeeded him as ruler, preceding his cousin (Henry I's son). He is referenced as Heinricus iuvenis dux who died in 1227,[5] and Henrici de Medlico (Henry of Mödling).[6]
Henry III the Younger 1182
Son of Henry I and Richeza of Bohemia
29 November 1228 – 1236 Duchy of Mödling Unmarried 1236
aged 53-54
After his death the duchy reverted to his cousin Gertrude, daughter of Henry II.
Frederick II the Quarrelsome 25 April 1211
Wiener Neustadt
Second son of Leopold I and Theodora Angelina
28 July 1230 – 15 June 1246 Duchy of Austria Eudokia Sophia Laskarina Angelina[7]
no children

Agnes of Merania
1229
no children
15 June 1246
Leitha
aged 35
His troublesome marriages with no children opened a succession crisis in Austria.
Gertrude 1226
Daughter of Henry II, Duke of Mödling and Agnes of Thuringia
1236 – 4 October 1250 Duchy of Mödling Vladislaus of Bohemia
1246
no children

Herman VI, Margrave of Baden
1248
two children

Roman Danylovych
1252
one child
24 April 1288
aged 61-62
Heiress of Mödling. After her cousin's death in 1246, she was the first to claim the duchy. She was associated with her first two husbands. However, as Herman of Baden failed to defeat the opposition of Austrian nobility, her rule weakened substantially, giving them minimal control over the duchies. Her first refusal of a third marriage with the brother of William II of Holland, combined with the occupation of Austria by her cousin Margaret and Ottokar of Bohemia in 1252, halted her claims. Although she was even given a part of Styria in 1254, she did not forswear her claim; her territorial portion was taken away from her in 1267.
15 June 1246 – 4 October 1250

1254-1267
Duchy of Austria
(in only part of Styria in 1254-67)
Vladislaus of Bohemia 1227
Son of Wenceslaus I of Bohemia and Kunigunde of Hohenstaufen
15 June 1246 – 3 January 1247 Duchy of Austria
(claimant as consort)
Gertrude
1246
no children
3 January 1247
Leitha
aged 19-20
Herman VI, Margrave of Baden c.1226
Son of Herman V, Margrave of Baden and Irmengard of the Palatinate
1248 – 4 October 1250 Duchy of Austria
(claimant as consort)
Gertrude
1248
two children
4 October 1250
aged 23-24
Frederick I, Margrave of Baden 1249
Alland
Son of Herman VI, Margrave of Baden and Gertrude
1254 – 1267 Duchy of Austria
(claimant as heir; in only part of Styria)
Unmarried 29 October 1268
Naples
aged 18-19
Margaret 1204
Daughter of Leopold I and Theodora Angelina
6 May 1252 – 29 October 1266 Duchy of Austria
(from 1261 only in Krumau am Kamp)
Henry (VII) of Germany
29 November 1225
Nuremberg
two children

Ottokar II of Bohemia
11 February 1252
Hainburg an der Donau
(annulled 1261)
no children
29 October 1266
Krumau am Kamp
aged 61-62
Margaret and her husband, future King of Bohemia, invaded Austria in 1252 and were successfully proclaimed Dukes of Austria. After the annulment of their marriage, Margaret retired and Ottokar continued his rule until 1276, when he signed away his claims in Austria in favor of Rudolph of Habsburg. The matter would be settled with his defeat and death at the Battle on the Marchfeld (1278).
Premislaus Ottokar II of Bohemia The Iron and Golden King 1233
Městec Králové
Son of Wenceslaus I of Bohemia and Kunigunde of Hohenstaufen
6 May 1252 – 1261 Duchy of Austria
(claimant as consort)
Margaret
11 February 1252
Hainburg an der Donau
(annulled 1261)
no children

Kunigunda Rostislavna of Halych
25 October 1261
Pressburg
three children
26 August 1278
Dürnkrut
aged 44-45
1261 – November 1276 Duchy of Austria

Dukes and Archdukes of Austria under the House of Habsburg

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Count Rudolf of Habsburg, elected as king of Germany (1273), was able during the years 1276–78 to decisively defeat his main rival, the Bohemian king Ottokar II, and to regain his Austrian domains back for the Empire. By his imperial authority, Rudolf later (1282) invested his sons Albrecht and Rudolf with the duchies of Austria and Styria, thereby securing them for the House of Habsburg. Austria remained under Habsburg rule for more than 600 years, forming the core of the Habsburg monarchy and the present-day country of Austria.

The most important Austrian rulers until the Victory at Vienna in 1683 are described in the book Symmetria iuridico Austriaca.

Possessions (and partitions) of Austria under Habsburg domain

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Duchy of Austria
(1291–1365)
Includes the Duchies of Styria and Carinthia, and the March of Carniola from 1358
Includes the County of Tyrol from 1363
Carniola was raised to Duchy of Carniola in 1364

Duchy of
Lower Austria

(1379-1457)
Duchies of Inner and Further Austria
(with Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and Tyrol)
(1379-1406)
Duchy of
Inner Austria

(with Styria, Carinthia
and Carniola)

(1406-1453)
Duchy of
Further Austria

(1406-1411)
County of
Tyrol

(1406-1411)
Duchy of Further Austria
(with Tyrol)
(1439-1453)
Raised to:
Archduchy of
Inner Austria

(1453-1490)
Raised to:
Archduchy of
Further Austria

(1453-1490)
Archduchy of Austria
(Inner Austrian line)
(1490-1564)
Archduchy of Lower
and Upper Austria

(1564-1619)
Archduchy of
Inner Austria

(1564-1619)
Archduchy of
Further Austria

(with Tyrol)
(1564-1619)
Archduchy of Austria
(1619-1623)
Archduchy of Lower
and Inner Austria

(1623-1665)
Archduchy of
Further Austria

(1623-1665)
Archduchy of Austria
(Lower/Inner Austrian line)
(1665-1804)

Table of rulers

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Emperors of Austria (1804–1918)

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House of Habsburg-Lorraine

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Ruler Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes

Francis I
12 February 1768
Florence
Eldest son of Leopold VII, Archduke of Austria and Maria Luisa of Spain
11 August 1804 – 2 March 1835 Empire of Austria Elisabeth of Württemberg
6 January 1788
Vienna
one child

Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily
15 September 1790
Vienna
12 children

Maria Ludovika of Austria-Este
6 January 1808
Vienna
no children
(4) Caroline Augusta of Bavaria
29 October 1816
Vienna
no children
2 March 1835
Vienna
aged 67
Following the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Francis created his own Empire of Austria.

Ferdinand I the Benevolent
19 April 1793
Vienna
Son of Francis I and Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily
2 March 1835 – 2 December 1848 Empire of Austria Maria Anna of Savoy
12 February 1831
Turin
(by procuration)
no children
29 June 1875
Prague
aged 82
Abdicated due to the Revolutions of 1848.

Francis Joseph
18 August 1830
Florence
Son of Archduke Franz Karl of Austria and Princess Sophie of Bavaria
2 December 1848 – 21 November 1916 Empire of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria
24 April 1854
Vienna
four children
21 November 1916
Vienna
aged 86
Nephew of Ferdinand I, and grandson of Francis I. The Empire became a dual monarchy following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, forming Austria-Hungary.

Charles
17 August 1887
Persenbeug-Gottsdorf
Son of Archduke Otto Franz of Austria and Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony
21 November 1916 – 12 November 1918 Empire of Austria Zita of Bourbon-Parma
21 October 1911
Schwarzau am Steinfeld
eight children
1 April 1922
Funchal
aged 34
Grand-nephew of Francis Joseph I, and great-great-grandson of Francis I. Following the defeat in World War I, the Empire was dissolved in 1918.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Some sources state that he was disinherited, while giving no reason for that. It's possible that it this argument was an attempt to justifiy the unusual choice of young Leopold IV as successor to his father.
  2. ^ Continuatio Prædictorum Vindobonensium 1125, MGH SS, p. 725.
  3. ^ His epithet as no certain origin; it's possible that it derived from the oath joch sam mir got helfe ("Yes, so help me God")
  4. ^ Lyon 2013, p. 124.
  5. ^ Continuatio Scotorum 1227, MGH SS IX, p. 624
  6. ^ Continuatio Zwetlenses III 1252, MGH SS IX, p. 655.
  7. ^ Angold 2011, p. 54.
  8. ^ His numbering, if counted as I, reflects, not the ducal succession of the Babenbergs (being in fact the third ruler of Austria bearing this name), but of the comital Habsburgs, being the first member of the family with this name. However, he may have adopted his German numeral III in Austria, as the next de facto rulers of Austria who bore the same name styled themselves as Frederick IV and Frederick V. So, inadvertently, the numbering of de facto ruling Fredericks actually follow the Babenberg counting.
  9. ^ His numbering reflects, not the ducal succession of the Babenbergs (being in fact the seventh ruler of Austria bearing this name), but of the comital Habsburgs, being the first member of the family with this name.
  10. ^ Numbered III by including the titular duke Leopold II (1339–1344)
  11. ^ Numbered IV by including either only the de facto duke Frederick the Fair, sometimes numbered III, or by including the titular dukes Frederick (II) (1339–1344) and Frederick (III) (1347–1362).
  12. ^ Pavlac, Brian A.; Lott, Elizabeth S. (1 June 2019). The Holy Roman Empire: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. pp. 255, 278. ISBN 978-1-4408-4856-8. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  13. ^ Fichtner, Paula Sutter (7 March 2017). The Habsburg Monarchy, 1490-1848: Attributes of Empire. Macmillan International Higher Education. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-137-10642-1. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  14. ^ In German Articles and Books these Archdukes' names and titles are normally completed with the territorial names of their Duchy as: "Charles II of Inner Austria" = "Karl der II. von Inner Österreich"

Works cited

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