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. 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.
In 1065 Leopold married Itha (Ida of Cham), countess of Cham (1060–1101), in Cham, Oberphalz, Bavaria. Ida was the daughter of Rapoto IV, Count of Cham, and Mathilde. Ida is said to have died on a crusade.
The two had a son, Leopold III, as well as six daughters who married Dukes and Counts from Carinthia, Bohemia and Germany.
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Leopold II, Margrave of Austria
Born: 1050 Died: 1095 |
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| German royalty | ||
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| Preceded by Ernest |
Margrave of Austria 1075–1095 |
Succeeded by Leopold III |