Frederick IV, Duke of Austria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frederick IV
Duke of Austria
Portrait by Anton Boys
Born	1382
Died	(1439-06-24)24 June 1439 Innsbruck, Tyrol
Burial	Stams Abbey
Spouse	Elisabeth of the Palatinate Anna of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Issue	Sigismund, Archduke of Austria
House	House of Habsburg
Father	Leopold III
Mother	Viridis Visconti

Frederick IV (born in 1382, died June 24, 1439) was an important ruler from the House of Habsburg. He was known as the Duke of Austria from 1402 until his death. People sometimes called him Frederick of the Empty Pockets (Friedrich mit der leeren Tasche). This nickname came from a tough time when he faced money problems.

Frederick was part of the Habsburg family's Leopoldian line. He ruled over areas like Further Austria and the County of Tyrol starting in 1406.

Frederick IV's Early Life

Frederick was the youngest son of Duke Leopold III and his wife Viridis Visconti. His father, Leopold III, ruled over many Habsburg lands. These included Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Tyrol, and other areas in Swabia.

Sadly, Duke Leopold died in battle in 1386. After his father's death, young Frederick and his older brothers were looked after by their uncle, Duke Albert III.

Becoming a Ruler

When their uncle Albert III died in 1395, the brothers had to decide how to share their family's lands. Frederick's older brother, William, took charge of the Inner Austrian lands. Another brother, Leopold IV, became the Count of Tyrol.

In 1402, Frederick was old enough to rule. He was given the job of managing his father's lands in Swabia. These lands were called Further Austria. Frederick made his home in Freiburg im Breisgau.

After William died in 1406, the lands were divided again. Leopold IV gave Tyrol to Frederick. However, Frederick didn't fully control Further Austria until Leopold died in 1411.

Challenges and Conflicts

Frederick's first years as a ruler were full of problems. He had to deal with angry nobles in Tyrol in 1406 and 1407. This is when he got his nickname "of the Empty Pockets." He also faced a rebellion in the Bishopric of Trent.

He also had to fight against people in the Swabian Appenzell region. They wanted to be independent. This led to the Appenzell Wars starting in 1401. Frederick fought in many battles until peace was made in 1410. But the Appenzell area then became protected by the Old Swiss Confederacy. Back in Tyrol, he also defeated Duke Stephen III of Bavaria who had invaded.

Council of Constance: a tournament with Frederick IV of Austria (left) and Frederick II of Celje (right). This picture is from a chronicle made around 1470.

In 1411, Frederick's brother Leopold IV died. Frederick and his remaining brother, Ernest, divided the lands again. Frederick became the clear ruler of Habsburg lands in the Alsace region and the Burgau area. In 1417, he also inherited more lands from another part of the Habsburg family. He lost some land, like Rovereto, in conflicts with the Republic of Venice.

Frederick also got into trouble with King Sigismund. Frederick supported a different pope during a time when the church was divided. Because of this, King Sigismund declared Frederick an "Imperial ban." This meant Frederick lost some of his lands, like Aargau, to the Swiss. But with the help of local people, he managed to keep Tyrol.

The beautiful Stams Abbey Church, where Frederick IV was buried.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1420, Frederick moved his court from Meran to Innsbruck in Tyrol. His rule in Tyrol became more stable. This was partly because silver mining started to do very well, bringing more money to the region.

After his brother Ernest died in 1424, Frederick also became the temporary ruler for his young nephews, Frederick V (who later became Emperor Frederick III) and Albert VI. In his later years, he faced another rebellion in Tyrol, led by Prince-Bishop Alexander of Trent.

Frederick died in Innsbruck in 1439. Even though he was called "of the Empty Pockets," he actually died a rich man! His son and heir, Sigismund, was even called "Rich in Coin." Frederick was buried in the Cistercian abbey of Stams in Tyrol.

Frederick IV's Family

(left) Elisabeth of the Palatinate (right) Anna of Brunswick-Luneburg

Frederick IV was married twice.

His first marriage was on December 24, 1407, to Elizabeth of the Palatinate. She was the daughter of King Rupert of Germany. They had one daughter, also named Elizabeth. Sadly, both mother and child died shortly after the birth in December 1408.

Frederick's second marriage was on June 11, 1411, to Anna. She was the daughter of Duke Frederick I of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. They had several children:

• Margaret (1423–1424)
• Hedwig (1424–1427)
• Wolfgang (born and died in 1426)
• Sigismund (1427–1496)

Only Sigismund lived to be an adult. He took over his father's rule in Tyrol and Further Austria.

Habsburg Family Tree