St Leopold III, in the background Klosterneuburg, Babenberg Genealogical Tree, c. 1490

The Babenberg Legacy

1273–1282

The beginning of this epoch is marked by conflict between two kings: Rudolf I, crowned in 1273 as the first Roman-German king of the Habsburg dynasty, and Ottokar II Přemysl, King of Bohemia, who refuses to recognize him. This conflict ultimately leads to the establishing of Habsburg rule in Austria. After the death of the last Babenberg, Ottokar becomes Duke of Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Carniola. When he is killed in the Battle on the Marchfeld in 1278, the victorious Rudolf occupies the Austrian lands, enfeoffing his sons with them in 1282.