Leopold II, Margrave of Austria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leopold II |
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Leopold the Fair at the Battle of Mailberg, Babenberger Stammbaum, Klosterneuburg Monastery, 1489–1492
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| Margrave of Austria | |
| Reign | 1075–1095 |
| Predecessor | Ernest |
| Successor | Leopold III |
| Born | 1050 |
| Died | 12 October 1095 Gars am Kamp(?), Austria |
| Spouse | Ida of Formbach-Ratelnberg |
| Issue Detail |
Leopold III, Margrave of Austria |
| House | Babenberg |
| Father | Ernest |
| Mother | Adelaide of Eilenburg |
Leopold II (born 1050, died October 12, 1095) was an important ruler in Austria. He was known as Leopold the Fair. As a member of the House of Babenberg, he was the Margrave of Austria from 1075 until his death.
Leopold II supported big changes in the church called the Gregorian Reforms. He was also a major opponent of the German king Henry IV. This happened during a big conflict known as the Investiture Controversy.
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Leopold's Early Life and Rule
Leopold the Fair was born in 1050. His father was Margrave Ernest of Austria. His mother was Adelaide of Eilenburg. Her family, the Wettins, were also important rulers.
Leopold's family, the Babenbergs, had ruled the Margraviate of Austria for a long time. His great-grandfather, Leopold I, became ruler in 976. Leopold II took over as margrave when his father died in June 1075.
Conflicts and Challenges
When Leopold became ruler, a major conflict started. It was between King Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII. This fight was about who had the power to appoint church leaders. It was called the Investiture Dispute.
At first, Leopold sided with King Henry IV. He even stayed at the king's court. This was after Henry's famous trip to Canossa in 1077. But Leopold changed his mind. His wife, Ida, and Bishop Altmann of Passau influenced him.
Bishop Altmann was a strong supporter of the Pope. King Henry's forces forced Altmann out of his home in 1078. Altmann then came to Austria. Because Leopold supported Altmann, King Henry's army invaded Austria. This led to a complete break between Leopold and the king.
In 1081, King Henry IV was away fighting in Italy. Leopold supported a new king, Count Hermann of Salm. Leopold held a meeting in Tulln, Austria. There, he officially broke ties with King Henry.
Because of this, King Henry declared Leopold was no longer ruler. He gave Leopold's land to Duke Vratislav II of Bohemia. Duke Vratislav invaded Austria. He defeated Leopold in the 1082 Battle of Mailberg. Leopold barely escaped with his life.
However, Leopold managed to keep his position as margrave. Vratislav became a King of Bohemia in 1085. Leopold did lose some land in Southern Moravia. This land was north of the Thaya river. It was ruled by Prince Luitpold of Znojmo, who was Leopold's son-in-law.
Supporting Church Reforms
Bishop Altmann of Passau stayed in Austria. Because of this, Austria became a leader in supporting the Gregorian Reforms. These reforms changed how churches were owned. They also changed rules about priests getting married.
Altmann brought new church practices to Kremsmünster Abbey. In 1083, he founded the Augustinian monastery of Göttweig. This monastery was near Krems.
In 1089, Margrave Leopold helped build Melk Abbey. He gave a large piece of land high above the Danube river for the new monastery. The ruins of Gars am Kamp castle were Leopold's last home. They are about 68 kilometers away.
Leopold's Family
In 1065, Leopold married Ida. She was a countess from Bavaria. Ida was the daughter of Count Rapoto IV. She was also related to Archbishop Thiemo of Salzburg. Ida is believed to have died during the Crusade of 1101.
Leopold and Ida had one son and six daughters:
- Leopold III (1073–1136): He became the next Margrave of Austria after his father.
- Adelaide (died after 1120): She married Count Theoderic II of Formbach.
- Elizabeth (died 1107): She married Margrave Ottokar II of Styria.
- Gerberga (died 1142): She married Duke Bořivoj II of Bohemia.
- Ida: She married the Přemyslid prince Luitpold of Znojmo.
- Euphemia: She married Count Conrad I of Peilstein.
- Sophia (died 1154): She married Henry of Eppenstein, Duke of Carinthia. Later, she married Count Sieghard X of Burghausen.
