Following the Battle of the Marchfeld in 1278, Rudolf of Habsburg secured control over Austria and Styria, marking the beginning of Habsburg rule in the region. This victory ended decades of instability during the interregnum and laid the foundations for Austria’s development as a political and dynastic power within the Holy Roman Empire.
Rudolf I and the Early Habsburg Legacy (1278–1358)
Rudolf I faced resistance in consolidating Habsburg authority in Austria but ultimately succeeded by bequeathing the duchies of Austria and Styria to his sons Albert I and Rudolf II in 1282. However, disputes over succession began almost immediately. The Treaty of Rheinfelden (1283) enforced primogeniture, forcing the younger Rudolf II to cede his claims to his brother Albert I. This rivalry continued through subsequent generations, marked by frequent divisions of the Habsburg lands among family members.
Albert I briefly achieved the imperial throne in 1298 but was assassinated in 1308, and the Habsburgs struggled to maintain control over Austria and influence within the empire. In 1335, Albert II expanded Habsburg territories by acquiring Carinthia and the March of Carniola, creating the foundations of the Habsburg Hereditary Lands.
Rudolf IV and the Privilegium Maius (1358–1365)
Under Rudolf IV the Founder, the Habsburgs made significant strides in elevating Austria’s status. In 1359, Rudolf issued the Privilegium Maius, a document falsely claiming elevated status for Austria as an archduchy, placing it on par with the electors of the Holy Roman Empire. Although this claim was not recognized at the time, it symbolized the Habsburgs' growing ambitions.
Rudolf IV also fostered economic growth, founded the University of Vienna, and initiated the construction of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. His efforts cemented Vienna’s role as a political and cultural center. With his acquisition of the County of Tyrol in 1363, the Habsburg lands now extended across the Eastern Alps, forming what became known as the Hereditary Lands. However, Rudolf’s early death in 1365 left the realm divided among his brothers.
A House Divided: The Albertinian and Leopoldian Lines (1379–1457)
Following Rudolf IV’s death, his brothers Albert III and Leopold III quarreled, leading to the Treaty of Neuberg (1379), which divided the Habsburg lands. Austria (both Upper and Lower Austria) went to the Albertinian line, while Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, and Tyrol were governed by the Leopoldian line. This division weakened the Habsburgs, with multiple rulers governing fragmented territories, creating instability throughout the 14th and 15th centuries.
- Albertinian Line (1379–1457): Albert III ruled until 1395, succeeded by his son Albert IV and grandson Albert V (who became King Albert II of Germany). However, this line ended with the death of Ladislaus the Posthumous in 1457.
- Leopoldian Line (1379–1490): The Leopoldian branch split further into Inner Austria (Styria, Carinthia, and Carniola) and Further Austria (Tyrol and Vorarlberg). This division lasted until 1490, when all Habsburg lands were reunited under Maximilian I.
Inquisition and Religious Persecution
Throughout the 14th century, the Inquisition targeted heretics, particularly the Waldensians. Between 1391 and 1402, the Inquisitor Petrus Zwicker led severe persecutions in Steyr, Krems, and Vienna, with over 80 individuals burned in Steyr alone. These events are now commemorated by a monument in Steyr, erected in 1997.
Reunification and the Rise of Frederick III (1453–1493)
By the mid-15th century, the Albertinian line had gone extinct, and the fragmented Habsburg lands passed back to the Leopoldian line. Frederick V (later Frederick III) became the key figure in reuniting the Habsburg territories. Frederick became German King in 1440 and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1452, marking the permanent ascent of the Habsburgs within the empire.
Frederick also reunited the core Austrian territories after the death of Ladislaus the Posthumous in 1457, ending the internal division between the Albertinian and Leopoldian lines. Under Frederick's reign, Austria was stabilized, and the Habsburgs emerged as one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe.