Austrian Monarchs

A history of Austrian monarchs.

Duchy of Austria

The earliest incarnation of an Austrian state was the Avar March, established by Charlemagne. It was disestablished as the Magyars advanced in the 10th century, but then re-established as the Bavarian March by Otto I.

In 976, Otto II enfeoffed Leopold I as margrave of Austria.

Leopold IV supported Conrad III against his Welf rivals and was rewarded with the confiscated duchy of Bavaria. His son, Henry II, was forced to renounce the duchy by Frederick Barbarossa, so that it could be returned to Henry XI as part of peace terms. As compensation, his margraviate was raised to the duchy of Austria.

For a significant era, the (arch)duchy of Austria, house of Habsburg, and Holy Roman Empire are practically indistinguishable. The significant alternative is the margraviate of Brandenburg.

The empire was ended through the Napoleonic Wars.

Austrian Empire

Despite the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Habsburg and Austrian regional hegemony was not interrupted. This imperial complex now took the name of Austrian Empire.

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Austro-Hungarian Empire

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Dynasties

Habsburg

Rudolf I was elected king of Germany but was never crowned emperor. Nonetheless, Rudolf II enumerated himself as such in reference to his ancestor.

Rudolf I invested Albert I as duke of Austria, and it remained a Habsburg crownland thereafter. The house also dominated the Holy Roman Empire from Frederick V until its dissolution.

For some periods, Austria was was divided into duchies of Austria Proper, Inner Austria, and Further Austria. Styria, Carinthia, and Carniola formed the basis of Inner Austria. Swabia and Tyrol formed the basis of Further Austria.

The 15th century in particular saw disintegration of authority in Austria. Frederick V and Albert VII were effectively co-rulers, but Albert had nominally rebelled and seized Further Austria for himself. At the same time, Matthias Corvinus had seized Austria proper and claimed to be archduke of Austria himself.

The Spanish line splits from Philip II, son of Charles V.

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