Otto, Duke of Austria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Otto the Merry
Portrait by Anton Boys, c. 1580
Duke of Austria and Styria (jointly with Albert II)
Reign	1330–1339
Predecessor	Frederick the Fair
Successor	Albert II (alone)
Duke of Carinthia (jointly with Albert II)
Reign	1335–1339
Predecessor	Henry of Bohemia
Successor	Albert II (alone)
Born	23 July 1301 Vienna, Austria
Died	17 February 1339 Neuberg Abbey, Duchy of Styria
Spouse	Elizabeth of Bavaria Anne of Bohemia
Issue	Frederick II, Duke of Austria Leopold II, Duke of Austria
House	Habsburg
Father	Albert I of Germany
Mother	Elisabeth of Carinthia

Otto the Merry (born July 23, 1301 – died February 17, 1339) was an important ruler from the House of Habsburg. He was known as "the Merry" because his court was always full of fun and celebrations. Otto was the Duke of Austria and Styria starting in 1330. Later, he also became the Duke of Carinthia in 1335. He ruled alongside his older brother, Duke Albert II.

Early Life and Family

Otto was born in Vienna, the capital city of Austria. He was the youngest son of King Albert I of Germany and Elizabeth of Carinthia. His family, the House of Habsburg, was very powerful.

He had several older brothers. One brother, Rudolf III, became the King of Bohemia. Another brother, Frederick the Fair, was chosen as the King of the Romans. This was a title for a ruler who hoped to become the Holy Roman Emperor.

Becoming a Duke

After his father, King Albert I, died in 1308, the Habsburg family faced challenges. His brother Frederick the Fair lost a big battle in 1322. This meant the Habsburgs did not get the German throne at that time.

To make peace, Otto married Elizabeth of Wittelsbach. She was the daughter of Duke Stephen I of Bavaria. In 1327, Otto started building Neuberg Abbey in Styria. He did this to celebrate the birth of his first son, Frederick II.

He also founded the Chapel of Saint George in the Augustinian Church in Vienna. When his wife Elizabeth passed away in 1330, she was buried at Neuberg Abbey.

Ruling Austria and Carinthia

From 1329, Otto managed the original lands of the Habsburgs in Swabia. In 1330, he and his brother Albert II officially became the Dukes of Austria. Louis IV, who was the Holy Roman Emperor, also gave Otto the title of an Imperial vicar. This meant Otto could act on behalf of the Emperor.

Otto then formed strong ties with the powerful House of Luxembourg. In February 1335, he married Anna of Bohemia. She was the daughter of King John the Blind and sister of the future emperor Charles IV.

A few months later, Otto's uncle, Henry of Carinthia, died without sons. Emperor Louis IV then gave the Duchy of Carinthia, the March of Carniola, and part of Tyrol to Otto and Albert. Otto was made duke in a special old ceremony. After this, he focused more on Carinthia than on Austria.

In 1337, Otto started a special group called Societas Templois. This was a knightly order for a crusade against some tribes in the north. Otto died at Neuberg Abbey when he was 37 years old. His sons, Frederick II and Leopold II, died young a few years later.

Marriages and Children

Duke Otto and his two sons, Frederick II and Leopold II, from Neuberg Abbey

Otto had two wives and several children.

First Marriage

On May 15, 1325, Otto married his first wife, Elizabeth of Bavaria. She was the daughter of Stephen I, Duke of Bavaria. They had two sons:

• Frederick II (born 1327 – died 1344)
• Leopold II, Duke of Austria (born 1328 – died 1344)

Elizabeth of Bavaria died on March 25, 1330.

Second Marriage

Otto remained a widower for almost five years. On February 16, 1335, he married his second wife, Anna of Luxembourg. She was the daughter of King John of Bohemia. They did not have any children together. Anna died on September 3, 1338.

Other Children

Otto also had four other sons. Their mothers are not known, and we do not know what happened to them later in life:

• Otto
• Leopold
• Johann
• Leopold

Male-line family tree