The rulers of Austria are dated from the formation of the March of Austria in 976. The House of Babenberg held the lands until their extinction in 1246, and following an interregnum, came under the rule of the House of Habsburg in 1282.
In 1156, Austria was promoted from a March to a Duchy, independent from Bavaria.
After Frederick II's death, the Duchy of Austria was claimed by various claimants.
- Vladislaus of Moravia, 1246 - 1247
- Herman VI of Baden, 1248 - 1250
- Frederick I of Baden, 1250 - 1268
- Ottokar II of Bohemia, 1251 - 1278
In 1278, Rudolph of Habsburg, King of Germany, defeated Ottokar in battle, and was confirmed as Duke of Austria.
Rudolph IV fabricated the title of "Archduchy" in 1359. Despite some later dukes using the title, the Holy Roman Empire refused to recognize it until Albert V reunited was elected Emperor in 1453. Even then, Austria remained divided until the reign of Archduke Leopold I.
Monarch | Portrait | Lifespan | Dates of Rule |
---|---|---|---|
Leopold I | 11 September, 1459 - 12 May, 1519 | (13 August, 1497 - 12 May, 1519) | |
Leopold II | 20 April, 1487 - 16 July, 1541 | (12 May, 1519 - 16 July, 1541) | |
Rudolph I | 15 June, 1512 - 4 March, 1571 | (16 July, 1541 - 4 March, 1571) | |
Ferdinand I (Emperor Ferdinand I) |
7 April, 1555 - 28 February, 1613 | (4 March, 1571 - 28 February, 1613) | |
Ferdinand II (Emperor Ferdinand II) |
19 October, 1591 - 12 September, 1636 | (28 February, 1613 - 12 September, 1635) | |
Charles I (Emperor Charles VII) |
23 June, 1593 - 25 November, 1654 | (12 September, 1635 - 25 November, 1654) | |
Leopold III (Emperor Leopold) |
14 January, 1598 - 11 May, 1669 | (25 November, 1654 - 11 May, 1669) | |
Rudolph II | 29 April, 1635 - 3 June, 1706 | (11 May, 1669 - 3 June, 1706 | |
Maximilian I | 6 June, 1681 - 17 June, 1738 | (3 June, 1706 - 17 June, 1738) | |
Charles II (Also Charles III of Aragon) |
14 May, 1721 - 25 March, 1790 | (17 June, 1738 - 25 March, 1790) | |
Charles III | 2 May, 1761 - 5 December, 1834 | (25 March, 1790 - 5 December, 1834) | |
Maximilian II | 21 February, 1796 - 18 April, 1859 | (5 December, 1834 - 18 April, 1859) | |
Francis I | 1 August, 1803 - 13 May, 1872 | (18 April, 1859 - 13 May, 1872) | |
Charles IV | 9 June, 1845 - 7 March, 1894 | (13 May, 1872 - 7 March, 1894) | |
Maximilian III (Emperor Maximilian) |
15 January, 1850 - 16 October, 1913 | (7 March, 1894 - 16 October, 1913) | |
Rudolph III (Emperor Rudolph II) |
12 February, 1894 - 29 June, 1943 | (16 October, 1913 - 29 June, 1943) | |
Francis II | 8 June, 1924 - 21 September, 1979 | (29 June, 1943 - 21 September, 1979) | |
Francis III (Emperor Francis) |
8 December, 1957 - | (21 September, 1979 - ) |
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