Albert II, Duke of Austria

For other people named Albert of Austria, see Albert of Austria (disambiguation).

Duke of Austria and Styria

Albert II

16th century portrait of duke Albert II by Anton Boys

Duke of Austria and Styria
Reign| 13 January 1330 – 16 August 1358
Predecessor| Frederick the Fair
Successor| Rudolf IV
Duke of Carinthia
Reign| 2 April 1335 – 16 August 1358
Predecessor| Henry of Bohemia
Successor| Rudolf IV

Born| 12 December 1298
Habsburg Castle, Swabia
Died| 16 August 1358(1358-08-16) (aged 59)
Vienna, Austria
Spouse| Johanna of Pfirt
Issue| Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria
Catherine
Margaret
Frederick III of Austria
Albert III, Duke of Austria
Leopold III, Duke of Austria
House| House of Habsburg
Father| Albert I of Germany
Mother| Elizabeth of Carinthia

Albert II (German: Albrecht II. von Österreich; 12 December 1298[dubious - discuss] – 16 August 1358), known as the Wise (der Weise) or the Lame (der Lahme), a member of the House of Habsburg, was duke of Austria and Styria from 1330, as well as duke of Carinthia and margrave of Carniola from 1335 until his death.

## Biography

[edit]

Albert II was born at Habsburg Castle in Swabia, a younger son of King Albert I of Germany and his wife Elizabeth of Carinthia,[1] a member of the House of Gorizia (Meinhardiner). He initially prepared for an ecclesiastical career and, though still a minor, was elected Bishop of Passau in 1313. However, he had to rival with an opposing candidate and finally renounced the office in 1317.

After the death of their elder brother Frederick the Fair in 1330, the surviving sons Albert II and Otto the Merry became joint rulers of all Habsburg dominions in Austria and Styria. Albert was able to further increase his possessions by the inheritance of his wife Joanna of Pfirt, which was made up of the Alsatian county of Pfirt and several cities. Furthermore, upon the death of his maternal uncle Duke Henry of Carinthia in 1335, Albert succeeded in establishing his claims on the Duchy of Carinthia and the March of Carniola, when he reached his enfeoffment by Emperor Louis IV against the claims raised by his mighty Luxembourg rival King John of Bohemia.

Reflecting his high reputation among the secular and church leaders of Europe, in 1335 Pope Benedict XII asked him to mediate in the church's conflict with Emperor Louis. Two years later, King Philip VI of France 1337 asked him for help against the Wittelsbach emperor and King Edward III of England. Nevertheless, Albert remained faithful to the emperor until Louis' death in 1347; he also was a close ally of his son Duke Louis V of Bavaria. After the demolition of Rapperswil Castle by the forces of Rudolf Brun in 1350, the Austrian duke marched against the Swiss Confederacy and laid siege to the city of Zürich, though to no avail.

In Austria, Duke Albert had the construction of the Gothic Choir begun in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, known as the Albertinian Choir. He established the "Albertinian House Rule" (Albertinische Hausordnung) to predetermine the rules of succession in the Habsburg lands according to the principle of primogeniture. Although the rule was disregarded after his death, it was re-assumed under Emperor Maximilian. Adopted as part of the Pragmatic Sanction in 1713, the Albertinian House Rule effectively remained one of the basic laws of Austria until 1918. Styria owes him its (former) constitution, the so-called "Mountain Book" (Bergbüchel); the same is true for Carinthia.

It has been speculated that Albert had experienced temporal paralysis (explaining his nickname "Albert the Lame") caused by polyarthritis. If so, however, it did not prevent him from fathering numerous children, of whom six survived childhood.

Albert died at Vienna in 1358 and was buried in a monastery of his own foundation, Gaming Charterhouse in present-day Lower Austria. In 1782 the Gaming Charterhouse was secularized by Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor; at that time Albert's remains were transferred to the local parish church. In April 1985 they were returned to the Gaming Charterhouse in a ceremony attended by Regina von Habsburg, wife of the Head of the House of Habsburg, Otto von Habsburg, as well as her son Karl von Habsburg.[2]

According to his House Rule, Albert was succeeded by his eldest son Rudolf IV whose younger brothers acted as regents. However, after Rudolf's death in 1365, the Habsburg lands were divided among Albert's younger sons Albert III and Leopold III by the 1379 Treaty of Neuberg.

## Family and children

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On 15 February 1324, Albert married Countess Johanna of Pfirt,[3] daughter of Count Ulrich III of Pfirt, in Vienna. The couple had the following children:

1. Rudolf IV, Duke of Austria (1 November 1339, Vienna - 27 July 1365, Milan), who succeeded his father as Duke of Austria, Styria and Carinthia. His marriage with Catherine of Luxembourg remained childless; upon his death, he was succeeded by his younger brothers Albert III and Leopold III.[4]
2. Catherine (1342, Vienna - 10 January 1381, Vienna), Abbess of St. Klara in Vienna.
3. Margaret (1346, Vienna - 14 January 1366, Brno), married:
1. in Passau 4 September 1359 Count Meinhard III of Gorizia-Tyrol;[4]
2. in Vienna 1364 Margrave John Henry of Moravia.[4]
4. Frederick III of Austria (1347, Vienna - 1362, Vienna). Died unmarried.[4]
5. Albert III, Duke of Austria (9 September 1349, Vienna - 29 August 1395, Castle Laxenburg). His first marriage with Elisabeth of Bohemia, a daughter of the Luxembourg emperor Charles IV remained childless;[3] secondly, he married Beatrix of Nuremberg, a daughter of the Hohenzollern burgrave Frederick V.[3] Progenitor of the Habsburg Albertinian line.
6. Leopold III, Duke of Austria (1 November 1351, Vienna - 9 July 1386, Sempach). Married to Viridis Visconti, second daughter of Barnabò Visconti, Lord of Milan; progenitor of the Habsburg Leopoldian line.[3]

## Ancestry

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|

Ancestors of Albert II, Duke of Austria

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8\. Albert IV, Count of Habsburg

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| 4\. Rudolf I, King of the Romans|

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| 9\. Hedwig of Kyburg

| 2\. Albert I, King of the Romans|

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| 10\. Burkhard V, Count of Hohenberg

| 5\. Gertrude of Hohenberg|

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| 11\. Matilda of Tübingen

| 1\. Albert II, Duke of Austria|
|  |  |  |  |  |  |
| 12\. Meinhard I, Count of Gorizia-Tyrol

| 6\. Meinhard, Duke of Carinthia|

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| 13\. Adelaide of Tyrol

| 3\. Elisabeth of Carinthia|

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| 14\. Otto II, Duke of Bavaria

| 7\. Elisabeth of Bavaria|

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| 15\. Agnes of the Palatinate

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## Male-line family tree

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

House of Habsburg[n 1]

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Original line

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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert
Count of Habsburg
c. 1188–1239
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rudolf I
of Germany
c. 1218–1291
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert I
of Germany
1255–1308| | | | | | Hartmann
1263–1281| | Rudolf II
Duke of Austria
1270–1290
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Rudolf I
of Bohemia
1281–1307| | Frederick
the Fair
c. 1289–1330| | Leopold I
Duke of Austria
1290–1326| | Albert II
Duke of Austria
1298–1358| | Henry
the Friendly
1299–1327| | Otto
Duke of Austria
1301–1339| | John
Parricida
c. 1290–1312/1313
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Albertinian line| | | | | | | | | |  Leopoldian line| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Rudolf IV
Duke of Austria
1339–1365| | Frederick III
1347–1362| | Albert III
Duke of Austria
1349–1395| | | | | | | | | | Leopold III
Duke of Austria
1351–1386| | | | | | Frederick II
Duke of Austria
1327–1344| | Leopold II
Duke of Austria
1328–1344
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Albert IV
Duke of Austria
1377–1404| | William
Duke of Austria
c. 1370–1406| | Leopold IV
Duke of Austria
1371–1411| | Ernest
Duke of Austria
1377–1424| | | | | | Frederick IV
Duke of Austria
1382–1439
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Albert II
of Germany
1397–1439| | | | | | | | | | Frederick III
HRE
1415–1493| | Albert VI
Archduke of Austria
1418–1463| | Sigismund
Archduke of Austria
1427–1496
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Ladislaus
the Posthumous
1440–1457| | | | | | | | | | Maximilian I
HRE
1459–1519
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Philip I
of Castile
1478–1506
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |  Spanish / Iberian line| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Austrian / HRE line
| | | | Charles V
HRE
1500–1558| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand I
HRE
1503–1564| | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Philip II
of Spain
1527–1598| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maximilian II
HRE
1527–1576| | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand II
Archduke of Austria
1529–1595| | | | | | Charles II
Archduke of Austria
1540–1590
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Carlos
Prince of Asturias
1545–1568| | Philip III
of Spain
1578–1621| | Rudolf II
HRE
1552–1612| | Ernest
of Austria
1553–1595| | Matthias
HRE
1557–1619| | Maximilian III
Archduke of Austria
1558–1618| | Albert VII
Archduke of Austria
1559–1621| | Wenceslaus
Archduke of Austria
1561–1578| | Andrew
Margrave of Burgau
1558–1600| | Charles
Margrave of Burgau
1560–1618| | Ferdinand II
HRE
1578–1637| | Maximilian Ernest
of Austria
1583–1616| | Leopold V
Archduke of Austria
1586–1632| | Charles
of Austria
1590–1624
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Philip IV
of Spain
1605–1665| | Charles
of Austria
1607–1632| | Ferdinand
of Austria
1609–1641| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | John-Charles
of Austria
1605–1619| | Ferdinand III
HRE
1608–1657| | Leopold Wilhelm
of Austria
1614–1662| | Ferdinand Charles
Archduke of Austria
1628–1662| | Sigismund Francis
Archduke of Austria
1630–1665
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balthasar Charles
Prince of Asturias
1629–1646| | Charles II
of Spain
1661–1700| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand IV
King of the Romans
1633–1654| | Leopold I
HRE
1640–1705| | Charles Joseph
of Austria
1649–1664
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Joseph I
HRE
1678–1711| | Charles VI
HRE
1685–1740
Notes:

1. ^ "Habsburg family tree". Habsburg family website. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.

## Notes

[edit]

## References

[edit]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ Previte-Orton 1952, p. 796-797.
2. ^ Cugnac, Sophie de (26 April 1985). "Transfert des cendres d'Albrecht II duc d'Autriche". Point de Vue, Images du Monde. 36 (1917): 20–22.20-22&rft.date=1985-04-26&rft.aulast=Cugnac&rft.aufirst=Sophie+de&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Albert+II,+Duke+of+Austria" class="Z3988">
3. ^ a b c d Previte-Orton 1952, p. 797.
4. ^ a b c d Previte-Orton 1952, p. 796.

### Sources

[edit]

* Gabrielle Caerr-Stamm: Johanna von Pfirt, Gattin des Habsburgers Albrecht II. Herzog von Österreich oder das europäische Schicksal einer Elsässerin ("wife of Habsburg Albert II Duke of Austria or the European Fate of an Alsatian"). Sundgaugeschichtsverein, Riedisheim 1996, ISBN 2-908498-06-5.
* Franz Kurz: Österreich unter Herzog Albrecht dem Lahmen ("Austria under Duke Albert the Lame"), Haslinger, Linz 1819.
* Previte-Orton, C.W. (1952). The Shorter Cambridge Medieval History: The Twelfth Century to the Renaissance. Vol. 2\. Cambridge University Press.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Albert II, Duke of Austria at Wikimedia Commons

Albert II, Duke of Austria

House of Habsburg

Born: 12 December 1298 Died: 16 August 1358

Preceded by

Frederick the Fair

|  Duke of Austria and Styria
1330–1358
With:  Otto the Merry 1330–1339  | Succeeded by

Rudolf IV

Preceded by

Henry VI

|  Duke of Carinthia
1335–1358
With:  Otto the Merry 1335–1339

* v
* t
* e

Monarchs of Austria

House of Babenberg|

* Leopold I the Illustrious (976–994)
* Henry I the Strong (994–1018)
* Adalbert the Victorious (1018–1055)
* Ernest the Brave (1055–1075)
* Leopold II the Fair (1075–1095)
* Leopold III the Good (1095–1136)
* Leopold the Generous (1137–1141)
* Henry II Jasomirgott (1141–1177)
* Leopold V the Virtuous (1177–1194)
* Frederick I the Catholic (1195–1198)
* Leopold VI the Glorious (1198–1230)
* Frederick II the Quarrelsome (1230–1246)

Interregnum|

* Vladislaus of Moravia (claimant 1246–1247)
* Herman VI of Baden (claimant 1248–1250)
* Frederick I of Baden (claimant 1250–1268)
* Ottokar II of Bohemia (claimant 1251–1278)

House of Habsburg
Austria|

* Rudolf I (1278–1282)
* Albert I (1282–1308)
* Rudolf II the Debonair (1282–1283)
* Rudolf III the Good (1298–1307)
* Frederick I the Fair (1308–1330)
* Leopold I the Glorious (1308–1326)
* Albert II the Wise (1330–1358)
* Otto I the Merry (1330–1339)
* Frederick II (1339–1344)
* Leopold II (1339–1344)
* Rudolf IV the Founder (1358–1365)
* Leopold III the Just (1365-1379)
* Albert III the Pigtail (1365-1395)
* Albert IV the Patient (1395-1404)
* Albert V (1404–1439)
* Ladislaus I the Posthumous (1440–1457)
* Frederick V the Peaceful (1457–1493)
* Maximilian I the Last Knight (1493–1519)
* Charles I (1519–1521)
* Ferdinand I (1521–1564)
* Maximilian II (1564–1576)
* Rudolf V (1576–1608)
* Matthias (1608–1619)
* Albert VII (1619)
* Ferdinand III (1590, 1619–1637)
* Ferdinand IV (1637–1657)
* Leopold V (1623–1632)
* Ferdinand Charles (1632–1662)
* Sigismund Francis (1662–1665)
* Leopold VI (1657, 1665–1705)
* Joseph I (1705–1711)
* Charles III (1711–1740)
* Maria Theresa (1740–1780)
* Francis I Stephen (1740–1765)
* Joseph II (1765–1790)
* Leopold VII (1790–1792)
* Francis II (1792–1835)
* Ferdinand I (1835–1848)
* Francis Joseph I (1848–1916)
* Charles I (1916–1918)

House of Habsburg
Styria, Carinthia, Carniola|

* Leopold III the Just (1365–1386)
* William the Courteous (1386–1406)
* Leopold IV the Fat (1386–1411)
* Ernest the Iron (1402–1424)
* Frederick V the Peaceful (1424–1493)
* Albert VI the Prodigal (1457–1463)
* Maximilian I the Last Knight (1493–1519)
* Charles I (1519–1521)
* Ferdinand I (1521–1564)
* Charles II (1564–1590)
* Ferdinand III (1590–1637)

House of Habsburg
Tyrol|

* Rudolf IV the Founder (1363–1365)
* Leopold III the Just (1365–1386)
* William the Courteous (1386–1406)
* Frederick IV of the Empty Pockets (1406–1439)
* Sigismund the Rich (1439–1490)
* Maximilian I the Last Knight (1490–1519)
* Charles I (1519–1521)
* Ferdinand I (1521–1564)
* Ferdinand II (1564–1595)
* Matthias (1595–1619)
* Albert VII (1619)
* Ferdinand III (1619–1623)
* Leopold V (1623–1632)
* Ferdinand Charles (1632–1662)
* Sigismund Francis (1662–1665)
* Leopold VI (1665–1705)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
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National|

* Germany
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* BnF data
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People|

* Deutsche Biographie
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Other|

* Historical Dictionary of Switzerland

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