Babenberg

Originally from Bamberg in Franconia, now northern Bavaria, the Babenbergs or Babenberger ruled Austria as counts of the march and dukes from 976 - 1248, before the rise of the house of Habsburg.

...and its fall

His son Frederick II followed as duke, and earned the name of "Quarrelsome" because of his ongoing disputes with the kings of Hungary and Bohemia and with the emperor. He deprived his mother and sisters of their possessions, was hated by his subjects on account of his oppressive rule, and in 1236 was placed under the imperial ban and driven from Austria. Restored to his duchy when the emperor was excommunicated, he treated with Frederick in vain to make Austria a kingdom. The male line of the Babenbergs became extinct when he was killed in battle in 1246.

Related Topics:
Frederick II - Hungary - Bohemia - 1236 - 1246

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After some years of struggle known as the Interregnum, the Duchies of Austria and Styria fell to Otakar II of Bohemia, and subsequently to Rudolph I of Habsburg, whose descendants were to rule Austria until 1918.

Related Topics:
Otakar II of Bohemia - Rudolph I - Habsburg - 1918

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