Rudolf II, Duke of Austria

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Duke Rudolph II of Austria, titular Duke of Swabia (1270–May 10, 1290) was born as the younger son of Rudolph of Habsburg, from 1273 King of the Romans.

In December 1282 he became Duke of Austria and Styria jointly with his brother Albert I. However, in the Treaty of Rheinfelden (June 1, 1283) he had to waive his share. He was married 1289 with Agnes of Bohemia(1269-96), daughter of Otakar II of Bohemia and had an only son John. He died in the same year as his son was born at the age of 20.

His brother's failure to ensure that he would be adequately compensated was the reason for strife in the Habsburg family, which led to the assassination of Albert by Rudolph's son John Parricida, in 1308.

King Rudolf created him also Duke of Swabia, a province whose last duke, the underage Conradin, had been killed in 1268 and which was in long-term disarray, Habsburgs themselves being the most powerful provincial lords there.

Preceded by: Rudolph I

Duke of Austria and Styria co-ruler to Albert I until 1283

Succeeded by: Albert I