Page 44 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - 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
Alsace, Rudolf von Habsburg and laid the foundation stone
(1273–91). He defeated his for St Stephen’s Cathedral, the
opponent, Ottokar II, in 1278, Death of Frederick II church that to this day remains
took the Austrian territories and Babenberg one of the symbols of the Austrian
handed them to his sons as capital. Rudolf signed a treaty with
hereditary fiefs. From then on, for the next the Emperor Charles IV – Bohemian king of
640 years, the fate of Austria became tied the Luxemburg dynasty – stating that in the
to that of the Habsburg dynasty. 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
Fragment of a medieval altar of the Habsburgs
from Verdun, 1185

040-043_EW_Austria.indd 42 03/09/15 5:40 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
History Portrait template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.3)
Date 9th May 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm