Leopold IV, Duke of Austria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leopold IV, Duke of Austria |
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Leopold IV of Austria by Anton Boys
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| Born | 1371 |
| Died | 3 June 1411 Vienna |
| Burial | Ducal Crypt in the Stephansdom in Vienna |
| Spouse | Catherine of Burgundy |
| House | House of Habsburg |
| Father | Leopold III, Duke of Austria |
| Mother | Viridis Visconti |
Leopold IV of Austria (born 1371, died June 3, 1411) was an important ruler from the Habsburg family. He was known as "the Fat" and was a Duke of Further Austria.
Leopold IV's Early Life and Rule
Leopold IV was the second son of Duke Leopold III. His older brother, Duke William of Inner Austria, made Leopold his partner in ruling. Leopold was put in charge of a region called Further Austria. This area included lands that belonged to the Habsburg family for a long time, like parts of Switzerland. Leopold often had to deal with people in Switzerland who didn't want Austrian rule.
From 1391, Leopold was the main ruler of Further Austria. He also ruled in Tyrol from 1396 to 1406.
His Marriage and Family
In 1393, Leopold married Catherine de Valois of Burgundy. She was the daughter of Philip II, Duke of Burgundy. Catherine died in 1425. Leopold and Catherine did not have any children who survived.
Leopold had two younger brothers, Ernest the Iron and Frederick. They became dukes in 1402. In 1406, their oldest brother Duke William died without children. This meant Leopold became the new head of their family. Leopold also did not have any sons.
Dividing the Family Lands
The younger brothers made an agreement about how to divide their family's lands. Ernest would receive Inner Austria. Frederick would get Further Austria, which included Tyrol. Ernest took control of areas like Styria. Frederick was only in his early twenties, but he was put in charge of Tyrol. Leopold kept the responsibility for the Further Austrian territories. He also remained the head of the family.
In 1406, Leopold became the guardian for his young cousin, Albert V. This led to some disagreements with his brother Ernest.
Leopold died in Vienna on June 3, 1411. He was buried in the Ducal Crypt. This crypt is located in the city's main church, the St. Stephen's Cathedral.
