Leopold II, Margrave of Austria

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Leopold II (1050 – October 12, 1095) was a Babenberg Margrave of Austria ruling from 1075 onwards. He was known as Leopold the 'fair'. He was the son of Ernest the Brave and Adelheid, the daughter of Margrave Dedi (or Dedo) II of Meissen and father of Leopold III as well as seven daughters who married Dukes and Counts from Carinthia, Bohemia and Germany. His wife, Itha (or Ida), countess of Cham (1060-1101), died on a crusade. They were married in 1065 in Cham, Oberphalz, Bavaria.

In the Investiture Dispute, he first sided with Emperor Henry IV, but in 1081 at the Diet of Tulln switched sides under the influence of his wife Itha and Bishop Altmann of Passau. Subsequently, he was deposed by the Emperor, who gave the fief to Vratislav II of Bohemia, who defeated Leopold in the Battle of Mailberg. Ultimately, Leopold managed to retain his position, but he lost some territory in Southern Moravia. Leopold resided in Gars am Kamp.

In 1089 Leopold II helped pay for the construction of Melk Abbey in eastern Austria by donating the land for the new Abbey. A few miles away from Melk Abbey, in eastern Austria, are the ruins of Thunau a Kamp castle, once a summer residence of Leopold II.

Preceded by: Ernest

Margrave of Austria

Succeeded by: Leopold III