Babenberg facts for kids

The House of Babenberg was a powerful family of dukes and margraves in Austria. They came from Bamberg in a region called Franconia (now part of Bavaria). The Babenbergs ruled the area known as the Margraviate of Austria starting in 976 AD. This region later became the Duchy of Austria in 1156. The Babenberg family ruled until 1246, when their main line ended. After them, the House of Habsburg took over.

Who Were the Babenbergs?

The Babenberg family can be thought of as two main groups.

• The first group is the Franconian Babenbergs. They are also called Popponids. Their name comes from Babenburg Castle, where Bamberg Cathedral stands today. These early Babenbergs were related to the Frankish Robertian family.
• The second group is the Austrian Babenbergs. They were the descendants of Margrave Leopold I. This group ruled Austria from 976 onwards. While they claimed to be related to the first group, historians are not sure if this is true. Today, many believe the Austrian Babenbergs came from the Bavarian House of Luitpolding.

Early Popponids

The early Babenbergs, the Popponids, were like the French royal Capetian dynasty. They came from the Robertians. The first known Babenberg count, Poppo, was mentioned in 819 AD. He ruled in a region called Grabfeld in Franconia.

One of Poppo's sons, Henry, was an important military leader. He served King Louis the Younger and later King Charles the Fat. Henry was killed in 886 while fighting Vikings during the Siege of Paris. Another son, Poppo II, was a margrave in Thuringia. King Arnulf of Carinthia later removed Poppo II from power.

The Babenberg Feud

The Babenbergs had a big rivalry with another powerful family, the Conradines. This fight was called the "Babenberg feud." The Babenbergs were led by the sons of Duke Henry. They named themselves after their castle, Babenburg, near the Main river. The city of Bamberg grew around this family castle.

The Conradines were led by Conrad the Elder and his brothers. This rivalry became very intense around 892. King Arnulf took away Poppo II's power and gave it to Conrad the Elder. The fighting continued into the 10th century. In 902, the Conradines attacked Babenburg Castle. They arrested Adalhard of Babenberg, who was later executed. In return, the Babenbergs took over Würzburg.

The two families fought a major battle at Fritzlar in 906. The Conradines won, but Conrad the Elder died. Two Babenberg brothers were also killed. The last brother, Adalbert, was captured and executed. After this, the Babenbergs lost their power in Franconia. Conrad the Younger became Duke of Franconia and later King of East Francia.

Margraves of Austria

The Babenberg family tree at Klosterneuburg Monastery (around 1490).

In 976, Leopold I became the first Margrave of Austria. He was a loyal supporter of Emperor Otto I and Otto II. Leopold received this land as a reward for his loyalty. He expanded Austria's borders towards the east. He pushed back the Magyars from the Danube river.

Leopold I was followed by his son Henry I in 994. Henry continued his father's work. Then came his brother Adalbert in 1018. Adalbert was very loyal to Emperor Henry II and Henry III. He expanded Austria's land even more, reaching the Leitha, March, and Thaya rivers.

Leopold II became margrave in 1075. He had disagreements with Emperor Henry IV. Leopold supported the Pope during the Investiture Controversy. Even though he faced attacks, Leopold kept his position. His son Leopold III took over in 1096.

Leopold III supported Henry V, the emperor's son. In 1106, Leopold III married Agnes, the daughter of Emperor Henry IV. He later refused the royal crown in 1125. Leopold III was known for building many monasteries, like Klosterneuburg Monastery. He was called "the Pious" and became a saint in 1485. He is the patron saint of Lower Austria and Upper Austria.

Dukes of Austria

One of Leopold III's sons was Otto of Freising, a famous bishop. His oldest son, Leopold IV, became margrave in 1136. In 1139, King Conrad III gave him the Duchy of Bavaria.

Leopold's brother, Henry Jasomirgott, became Margrave of Austria in 1141. He married Gertrude, the widow of a powerful duke. In 1147, Henry went on the Second Crusade. When he returned, he gave up Bavaria. As a reward, Austria was made a duchy in 1156. This was done through an important document called the Privilegium Minus. Vienna became the capital of Austria around this time.

Austria's Rise to Power

Henry's son, Leopold V, became the second Duke of Austria in 1177. He joined the Third Crusade. In Palestine, he had a disagreement with King Richard I of England. On his way home, Leopold captured King Richard and handed him over to Emperor Henry VI. Leopold also added the Duchy of Styria to the Babenberg lands. He died in 1194.

After Leopold V, his son Frederick ruled Austria. His other son, Leopold, ruled Styria. When Frederick died in 1198, Leopold VI united both lands again. He was known as "the Glorious."

Duke Leopold VI fought in crusades in Spain, Egypt, and Palestine. But he was more famous as a lawmaker and a supporter of arts and culture. Under his rule, Vienna became a major cultural center in Germany. Many famous poets and singers, called Minnesingers, lived there. Leopold VI died in 1230 while trying to make peace between the Emperor and the Pope.

The End of the Babenberg Line

Frederick II, Leopold VI's son, became duke in 1230. He was known as "the Quarrelsome." He often argued with the kings of Hungary and Bohemia. He also had disputes with Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. Duke Frederick II was not liked by his people. He was even forced out of Austria for a time. He later returned but was killed in battle in 1246.

Frederick II's death meant the end of the main male line of the Babenberg family. His niece, Gertrude of Austria, was his heir. However, her husbands and son could not keep control of the Babenberg lands.

After Frederick II's death, there was a period of struggle. This was known as the War of the Babenberg Succession. Eventually, the Duchies of Austria and Styria went to Ottokar II of Bohemia. Later, they were taken by Rudolph I of the House of Habsburg. The Habsburg family then ruled Austria until 1918.

Babenberg Family Connections

Byzantine Connections

Many Babenberg dukes, starting with Leopold V, were related to Byzantine emperors. Leopold V's mother, Theodora Komnene, was the granddaughter of John II Komnenos, a Byzantine Emperor. Later, Leopold V's son, Leopold VI, also married a Byzantine princess. His son, Frederick II, also married a Byzantine princess.

Babenbergs and Habsburgs

The Habsburgs, who came after the Babenbergs, were not directly related at first. It was only later that Babenberg blood entered the Habsburg family. This happened through marriages. For example, Albert I of Germany's children brought some Babenberg ancestry into the Habsburg line. The Habsburgs even started using the Babenberg name Leopold for some of their sons.

Over time, different branches of the Habsburg family gained descent from the Babenberg dukes. The first Habsburg line to have this connection was the Albertine line. This happened when Albert III, Duke of Austria married Beatrix of Nuremberg. Their son, Albert IV, Duke of Austria, was the first Habsburg duke with Babenberg ducal ancestry. However, this branch of the Habsburgs ended in 1457.

Later, the Styrian line of the Habsburgs gained Babenberg blood. This was through the children of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor and Anna of Bohemia and Hungary. Anna was descended from the Babenberg dukes.

Finally, the Spanish line of the Habsburgs also gained Babenberg blood. This happened through Anna of Austria. She was the wife of Philip II of Spain and mother of Philip. After 1598, all Habsburg rulers were descended from the Babenberg Dukes.

See also

In Spanish: Casa de Babenberg para niños

• List of rulers of Austria
• House of Henneberg - A branch of the Franconian Babenbergs.