Page 44 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

42  INTRODUCING A USTRIA

Bohemian Austria The Habsburg Rise to Power
In 1246, the Babenberg line died out and Rudolf I and his successors pursued a very
Austria fell into the hands of the Bohemian successful policy of acquiring new territories.
kings Vaclav I and Ottokar II. The latter, During the 14th century, in addition to
having annexed Carinthia and Carniola Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Carniola, the
(1269), became the most powerful Habsburgs gained control of Tyrol
duke in the empire. He had his (1363) and Trieste (1382). An
eyes on the German crown, important contribution to the
but in the 1273 election a strength ening of the dynasty
more modest feudal lord rose was made by Rudolf IV, called
to the German throne, the “the Founder” (1358–65), who
landgrave (count) of Upper founded Vienna University and
Alsace, Rudolf von Habsburg laid the foundation stone for
(1273–91). He defeated St Stephen’s Cathedral, the church
Ottokar II in 1278, took the Death of Frederick II that to this day remains one of
Austrian territories and handed Babenberg the symbols of the Austrian
them to his sons as hereditary capital. Rudolf signed a treaty
fiefs. From then on, for the next 640 years, with the Emperor Charles IV – Bohemian
the fate of Austria became tied to that of king of the Luxemburg dynasty – stating
the Habsburg dynasty. that in the event of one of the dynasties
(Habsburgs or Luxemburgs) dying out, the
other would reign over both territories. This
situation arose in 1438 when, following the
death of Emperor Sigismund of Luxemburg,
both the imperial crown of Germany and
the throne of Hungary and Bohemia passed
to the Austrian Duke Albrecht II of Habsburg,
and on his death to his cousin Frederick III
(1440–93), who was regarded as the last
emperor of the Middle Ages. His motto was
written as the five vowels – AEIOU – which
were variously interpreted, for example as
“Austriae Est Imperare Orbi Universo” (The
Entire World is Austria’s Empire).

The Empire of Charles V
This maxim appeared close to becoming
true during the reign of Maximilian I (1486–
The double-seated Carinthian ducal throne, joined by pieces
of Roman stone, Maria Saal 1519), who by his marriage to Maria of
1156 Thanks to privileges granted 1358 Rudolph IV, the Founder,
by Frederick Barbarossa, Austria is ascends to the throne
elevated to the status of a Duchy
of the Reich. Margrave Henry II 1251 Austria ruled
Jasomirgott becomes its first duke by Ottokar II
1100 1150 1200 1250 1300 1350 1400
1246 End of the Babenberg line.
Vienna occupied by the Bohemian 1278 Rudolf von Habsburg defeats
King Vaclav I Ottokar II in the Battle of Dürnkrut.
Austria becomes a hereditary fief
Detail of the medieval altarpiece at the Abbey Church of the Habsburgs
of Klosterneuburg by Nicolas of Verdun, 1185

040-043_EW_Austria.indd 42 12/09/17 3:02 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
History Portrait template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.3)
Date 9th May 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm