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| Albert the Magnanimous | |
|---|---|
| |
| King of Germany | |
| Reign | 1410 - 1464 |
| Predecessor | Rupert |
| Successor | N/A |
| Archduke of Austria | |
| Reign | 1404 - 1464 |
| Predecessor | Albert IV |
| Successor | N/A |
| Born | 10 August 1397 Vienna |
| Spouse | None |
| Issue | Anne (1427) George (1434) |
| House | Habsburg |
| Father | Albert IV, Duke of Austria |
| Mother | Joanna Sophia of Bavaria |
Albert (10 August 1397 – 1464) was King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor as Albert II, and as Albert V, archduke of Austria from 1404. Albert was born in Vienna, the capital of the Archduchy of Austria on 10 August 1397 as the son of Albert IV, Duke of Austria, and Johanna Sophia of Bavaria.
In 1410 Albert was elected emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, after being unexpectedly elevated to his position as Archduke of Austria, sensing the upcoming election as an opportunity to finally elevate Austria to a position of power. Albert was unanimously elected by the electors that year, despite his young age alerting suspicion.
Albert II was married to Elisabeth of Bohemia, monarch over the Kingdom of Bohemia, Moravia, Brandenburg, and Duchy of Luxembourg, in 1422, placing her realm in personal union with Austria. He has had five children with Elisabeth; Anne (1427), George (1434), Otto (1440), Elisabeth (1442), and Ladislaus (1445).
Reign[]
With the Muscovite Crusade underway, in 1404 Albert IV died at Klosterneuburg, Lower Austria. He was buried in the Ducal Crypt in the Stephansdom in Vienna, and was succeeded by his son Albert. At the time of his ascension Albert V was only seven years old, requiring his uncle, Duke William of Inner Austria, then head of the rivaling Leopoldinian line, followed by his brothers Leopold IV and Ernest the Iron in 1406.
In 1410 the reigning emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Rubert II of the County Palantine, died, leaving the electors to elect a new ruler. Albert was unexpectedly elevated to his position as Archduke of Austria, sensing the upcoming election as an opportunity to finally elevate Austria to a position of power, living up to the dream of his ancestors to make Austria a significant part of the empire. Albert would use his favor and influence that his nation had acquired over the last decade to become a valid candidate among the electors, with many of which he has already retained positive relations and alliances which he inherited from his father’s rule. Albert would promise to the German states and many nobles, following the recent uproar over the collapse of Genoa, that he would become a strict ruler of the empire to prevent such a thing happening again. In the meantime propaganda was posted falsely noting that the government of Genoa was the true “false catholic” government, having seemingly harbored an anti pope. Despite the possible inaccuracies, the effort worked to quell some criticism, and even helped Albert gain support and legitimacy.
Albert was unanimously elected by the electors that year. Despite this many were still cautious about his age. His only real opponent, Sigismund of Bohemia, had himself backed Albert, leaving the electors little chose but to support Albert. At the time of his coronation as Albert II of Germany, he would inherit a very delicate situation among the Holy Roman Empire's neighbors. Albert would thank the Kingdom of Bohemia and improve relations greatly by donating 1,000 soldiers to help quell uproar in their nation, and as a gift for their support in his election. Acting on his promise to protect states of the empire from foreign invasion or influence, Albert issued a formal demand to the nations of the Kalmar Union, stating that the United Norse Crown should immediately cease expansion and influence into the north German states of the empire. He would strategically forge alliances with Bremen, Luneburg, and Lübeck, but by then the United Norse Crown had managed to gain some support in northern Germany, leading to an increase in hostilities.
In 1411 Leopold IV died officially solidifying Albert as the undisputed ruler of Austria. That same year, having been elected as emperor the year before, Albert officially recognized the Privilegium Maius and approved Austria's usurpation, making Austria an archduchy. At this time the states of Salzburg, Gorizia, and Aquileia would officially become vassals of the Archduchy of Austria, loyal to Albert II.
Family[]
In 1422 Albert II was married to Elisabeth of Bohemia, monarch over the Kingdom of Bohemia, Moravia, Brandenburg, and Duchy of Luxembourg, placing her realm in personal union with Austria.
His children with Elisabeth of Bohemia were:
- Anne (1427)
- George (1434)
- Otto (1440)
- Elisabeth (1442)
- Ladislaus (1445)
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