History of Austria
EARLY HISTORY •
THE BABENBERGS •
BEGINNING OF THE HABSBURGS •
THE HABSBURGS •
All information gathered from the following source unless otherwise noted:
Beller, Steven. A Concise History of Austria
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006) EARLY HISTORY 996
The first mention of 'ostarrichi', establishing a territorial area that will become the lands of Austria. While the history of the territory that became Austria began far before the tenth century, Austria as a person and nation did not exist.The history of this region is long and complex; it had been populated largely by the Bavarians and the Alemannii, but typically under Roman influence and control. Notwithstanding a brief period of competition from Byzantine Orthodoxy, it was a Christianized territory from around the fourth century.
THE BABENBERGS AND THE MARCH OF AUSTRIA 1000
A 'power bloc', the 'March of Austria'1 began to develop in the region, lead by the Babenberg margraves.2 It was one of many marches in the region, and not the strongest or largest. Much of the land was controlled by nobility. Imperial-papal conflict was a common feature of the period
1108
The Babenbergs establish their land in Klosterneuburg after travelling along the Danube.
1150
The Babenbergs establish their territory in Vienna, and their power increases from here onwards.
1230
Death of Babenberg ruler Leopold VI, replaced by Frederick II - 'Frederick the Quarrelsome'3
1238
Austrian territory is divided into administrative areas: 'Austria above the Enns' and 'Austria below the Enns'.4
1246
Frederick II is killed in battle. Lacking in a male heir and with no precedent or ruling that explored the possibility of succession through the female line, his death saw the end of the Babenberg line. A new dynasty would not begin until the Habsburgs. (BEGINNING OF) THE HABSBURGS:
'In the late fourteenth and fifteenth century the Habsburgs acted like characters in a soap opera.' 1278
Rudolf of HabsburgFrom 'Habichtsburg (hawk's fortress), land in northern Switzerland defeats the forces of Bohemia, north-east of Vienna. Invited by Austrian nobles, Rudolf becomes ruler of Austria, beginning the influence of the House of Habsburg in Austria - which will continue for some seven hundred years. 1325
The 'Treaty of Munich' states that Frederick II (of Habsburg) and Ludwig IV (of Bavaria) shall rule Austria jointly, after more than a decade of contest over the right. The Habsburgs begin to think of themselves as the 'dominium Austriae', or 'rulers of Austria'. 1348-9
The Black Death in Austria. 1379
The Habsburgs are commonly referred to as 'domus Austriae' - the 'House of Austria'. 1379-1400
Austria is split again (due to quarrels and separations within the Habsburg family) this time into three territories: 'Lower Austria', 'Inner Austria' and 'Upper Austria'. These divisions weakened the power of the Habsburgs somewhat. 1421
Jews are persecuted in Vienna, due to a belief that they were allied with the HussitesFootnote. 212 Jews were burned to death. THE HABSBURGS
Alles eredreich ist Österreich unterthan : It is for Austria to rule the whole word
- Motto of Frederick of Habsburg, Duke of Austria 1461
Albrecht, Frederick III's brother, invades Lower Austria. The invasion is more or less welcomed by the people due to Frederick's inability ro rule as a strong monarch. 1461
Albrecht dies, returning control of both Upper and Lower Austria to Frederick. 1477
After a long period of negotiation, an alliance is made between Burgundy and Austria. Frederick negotiaties a marriage between his son, Maximillian, and Maria of Burgundy. The two were married on the 19th of August, days after Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and Croatia invades Austria. 1485
Vienna falls to Matthias Corvinus. However, Austria can now rely on protection from Burgundy, one of the leading powers in Europe. 1490
Maximillian takes back occupied Austria from Matthia Corvinus. 1493 - onwards
Frederick III dies, leaving Maximillian as the ruler of both Austria and Burgundy. Maximillian continues to spread the idea that Habsburgs are rules by divine right. He places heavy emphasis on the importance of increasing Habsburg power through marriage, quoted as saying: 'Let the other wafe war, you, happy Austria, marry! What Mars gives to others, will be Venus's gift to you.' A marriage alliance brought Austria together with Spain (the house of Castile). Footnotes
Footnotes quoted directly from wikipedia unless otherwise noted
1 - A march or mark refers to a border region similar to a frontier, such as the Welsh Marches.
2 - A margrave (male) or margravine (female) was a medieval hereditary nobleman with military responsibilities in a border province of a kingdom.
3 - Frederick was known as the Quarrelsome because of his harsh rule and frequent wars against his neighbors, primarily with Hungary, Bavaria and Bohemia.
4 - The Enns is a southern tributary of the Danube River, joining northward at Enns, Austria.
All information gathered from the following source unless otherwise noted:
Beller, Steven. A Concise History of Austria
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006) EARLY HISTORY 996
The first mention of 'ostarrichi', establishing a territorial area that will become the lands of Austria. While the history of the territory that became Austria began far before the tenth century, Austria as a person and nation did not exist.The history of this region is long and complex; it had been populated largely by the Bavarians and the Alemannii, but typically under Roman influence and control. Notwithstanding a brief period of competition from Byzantine Orthodoxy, it was a Christianized territory from around the fourth century.
THE BABENBERGS AND THE MARCH OF AUSTRIA 1000
A 'power bloc', the 'March of Austria'1 began to develop in the region, lead by the Babenberg margraves.2 It was one of many marches in the region, and not the strongest or largest. Much of the land was controlled by nobility. Imperial-papal conflict was a common feature of the period
1108
The Babenbergs establish their land in Klosterneuburg after travelling along the Danube.
1150
The Babenbergs establish their territory in Vienna, and their power increases from here onwards.
1230
Death of Babenberg ruler Leopold VI, replaced by Frederick II - 'Frederick the Quarrelsome'3
1238
Austrian territory is divided into administrative areas: 'Austria above the Enns' and 'Austria below the Enns'.4
1246
Frederick II is killed in battle. Lacking in a male heir and with no precedent or ruling that explored the possibility of succession through the female line, his death saw the end of the Babenberg line. A new dynasty would not begin until the Habsburgs. (BEGINNING OF) THE HABSBURGS:
'In the late fourteenth and fifteenth century the Habsburgs acted like characters in a soap opera.' 1278
Rudolf of HabsburgFrom 'Habichtsburg (hawk's fortress), land in northern Switzerland defeats the forces of Bohemia, north-east of Vienna. Invited by Austrian nobles, Rudolf becomes ruler of Austria, beginning the influence of the House of Habsburg in Austria - which will continue for some seven hundred years. 1325
The 'Treaty of Munich' states that Frederick II (of Habsburg) and Ludwig IV (of Bavaria) shall rule Austria jointly, after more than a decade of contest over the right. The Habsburgs begin to think of themselves as the 'dominium Austriae', or 'rulers of Austria'. 1348-9
The Black Death in Austria. 1379
The Habsburgs are commonly referred to as 'domus Austriae' - the 'House of Austria'. 1379-1400
Austria is split again (due to quarrels and separations within the Habsburg family) this time into three territories: 'Lower Austria', 'Inner Austria' and 'Upper Austria'. These divisions weakened the power of the Habsburgs somewhat. 1421
Jews are persecuted in Vienna, due to a belief that they were allied with the HussitesFootnote. 212 Jews were burned to death. THE HABSBURGS
Alles eredreich ist Österreich unterthan : It is for Austria to rule the whole word
- Motto of Frederick of Habsburg, Duke of Austria 1461
Albrecht, Frederick III's brother, invades Lower Austria. The invasion is more or less welcomed by the people due to Frederick's inability ro rule as a strong monarch. 1461
Albrecht dies, returning control of both Upper and Lower Austria to Frederick. 1477
After a long period of negotiation, an alliance is made between Burgundy and Austria. Frederick negotiaties a marriage between his son, Maximillian, and Maria of Burgundy. The two were married on the 19th of August, days after Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and Croatia invades Austria. 1485
Vienna falls to Matthias Corvinus. However, Austria can now rely on protection from Burgundy, one of the leading powers in Europe. 1490
Maximillian takes back occupied Austria from Matthia Corvinus. 1493 - onwards
Frederick III dies, leaving Maximillian as the ruler of both Austria and Burgundy. Maximillian continues to spread the idea that Habsburgs are rules by divine right. He places heavy emphasis on the importance of increasing Habsburg power through marriage, quoted as saying: 'Let the other wafe war, you, happy Austria, marry! What Mars gives to others, will be Venus's gift to you.' A marriage alliance brought Austria together with Spain (the house of Castile). Footnotes
Footnotes quoted directly from wikipedia unless otherwise noted
1 - A march or mark refers to a border region similar to a frontier, such as the Welsh Marches.
2 - A margrave (male) or margravine (female) was a medieval hereditary nobleman with military responsibilities in a border province of a kingdom.
3 - Frederick was known as the Quarrelsome because of his harsh rule and frequent wars against his neighbors, primarily with Hungary, Bavaria and Bohemia.
4 - The Enns is a southern tributary of the Danube River, joining northward at Enns, Austria.