Alternative History
Monarchy of Austria and Danubia
Imperial
PSImperial Coat of Arms of the Empire of the Danube
Full Royal Arms
Incumbent
Ferdinand II & V Habsburg Lothringen
Ferdinand VI & II
since 1 January 2024
Details
Style His Imperial Majesty
Heir apparent Crown Prince of Austria
Formation 21 July 976 First Ruler
11 August 1804 Empire
12 August 1945 restoration
1 January 1993 Danubia
Residence Hofburg (main residence)
Schönbrunn (summer residence)

From 976 until 1246, the Margraviate of Austria and its successor, the Duchy of Austria, was ruled by the House of Babenberg. At that time, those states were part of the Holy Roman Empire. From 1246 until 1918, the duchy and its successor, the Archduchy of Austria, was ruled by the House of Habsburg. Following the defeat of Austria-Hungary in World War I, the titles were abolished until they were restored in 1955 in Austria, and later during the creation of the Danubian Empire in 1993

List of Rulers[]

House of Babenberg[]

Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Leopold I the Illustrious Leopold I of Babenberg c. 940
Son of Berthold of Nordgau or Arnulf, Duke of Bavaria
21 July 976 - 10 July 994 March of Austria Richardis of Sualafeldgau
nine children
10 July 994
Würzburg
aged 53-54
Founder of the Babenbergs.
Henry I the Strong Henry I, Margrave of Austria c. 965 (?)
First son of Leopold I and Richardis of Sualafeldgau
10 July 994 - 23 June 1018 March of Austria Unmarried 23 June 1018
aged 53-54
In his reign (996), the name Ostarrichi (later Osterreich, Austria) appeared for the first time to designate the land he ruled.
Adalbert I the Victorious AdalbertBabenberg c. 985
Third son of Leopold I and Richardis of Sualafeldgau
23 June 1018 - 26 May 1055 March of Austria Glismod of West-Saxony
no children

Frozza Orseolo
c.1025?
one child
26 May 1055
Melk
aged 69-70
Expanded his Bavarian margraviate to the Morava and Leitha rivers.
Ernest the Brave Stift Heiligenkreuz - Babenbergerfenster 3 Ernst 1027
Son of Adalbert I and Frozza Orseolo
26 May 1055 - 10 June 1075 March of Austria Adelaide of Eilenburg
1060
three children

Swanhilde of Ungarnmark
1072
no children
10 June 1075
aged 47-48
Expanded his Bavarian margraviate to the Morava and Leitha rivers.
Leopold II the Fair PaulI 1050
Son of Ernest and Adelaide of Eilenburg
10 June 1075 - 12 October 1095 March of Austria Ida of Formbach-Ratelnberg
1065
eight children
12 October 1095
Gars am Kamp
aged 44-45
Supported the Gregorian Reforms, and was an active opponent to Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor during the Investiture Controversy.
Leopold III the Saint Leopold III Margrave of Austria 1073
Gars am Kamp
Son of Leopold II and Ida of Formbach-Ratelnberg
12 October 1095 - 15 November 1136 March of Austria Maria of Perg
no children

Agnes of Germany
1106
eighteen children
15 November 1136
Klosterneuburg
aged 62-63
His second marriage brought the margraviate of Austria closer to the Imperial family, which raised the importance of the Babenbergs. Consequently, more royal rights weer granted to Austria.
Adalbert II the Pious Adalbert der Andächtige 1106
First son of Leopold III and Agnes of Germany
15 November 1136 - 9 November 1137 March of Austria Adelaide of Poland
1128/29
no children

Hedwig of Hungary
1132
no children
9 November 1137
aged 30-31
Usually not counted as margrave, despite being cited as so as early as 1119. Nevertheless, it's possible that he ruled for a year, or at least as claimant to his younger brother Leopold. If he ruled, he left no children. Knighted in 1125
Leopold IV the Generous Stift Heiligenkreuz - Babenbergerfenster 7 Leopold 1108
Third son of Leopold III and Agnes of Germany
9 November 1137 - 18 October 1141 March of Austria Maria of Bohemia
28 September 1138
no children
18 October 1141
Niederalteich
aged 32-33
Also Duke of Bavaria, title given to him after his struggles with the House of Welf.
Henry II Jasomirgott Wien.DukeHeinrichJasomirgott 1107
Second son of Leopold III and Agnes of Germany
18 October 1141 - 13 January 1177 March of Austria
(until 1156)

Duchy of Austria
(from 1156)
Gertrude of Süpplingenburg
1 May 1142
one child

Theodora Komnene
1148
three children
13 January 1177
Vienna
aged 69-70
Succeeded his younger brother in Austria and also as Duke of Bavaria. Moved his capital to Vienna. In 1156, Austria was raised to a Duchy.
Leopold V the Virtuous Leopold V, Duke of Austria 1157
First son of Henry II and Theodora Komnene
13 January 1177 - 31 December 1194 Duchy of Austria Helena of Hungary
1174
four children
31 December 1194
Graz
aged 36-37
Children of Henry II, divided Austria: Leopold V kept the main duchy and annexed the Duchy of Styria to his domain in 1192. He also gave his brother Henry the called Duchy of Mödling (title Henry used from 1205), which spanned from Liesing to Piesting and Bruck an der Leitha. Henry I and his descendants became mostly interested in arts.
Henry I the Elder Herzog Heinrich der Aeltere von Moedling 1158
Second son of Henry II and Theodora Komnene
13 January 1177 - 31 August 1223 Duchy of Mödling Richeza of Bohemia
1177
one child
31 August 1223
aged 64-65
Frederick I the Catholic Fridrich1Bab 1175
First son of Leopold V and Helena of Hungary
31 December 1194 - 16 April 1198 Duchy of Austria Unmarried 16 April 1198
The Holy Land
aged 22-23
Left no children.
Leopold VI the Glorious Leopold der Glorreiche.Rathausplatz.Wien 15 October 1176
Second son of Leopold V and Helena of Hungary
16 April 1198 - 28 July 1230 Duchy of Austria Theodora Angelina
1203
seven children
28 July 1230
San Germano
aged 53
Henry II the Profane Heinrich der Grausame 1208
First son of Leopold VI and Theodora Angelina
31 August 1223 - 29 November 1228 Duchy of Mödling Agnes of Thuringia
29 November 1225
Nuremberg
one child
29 November 1228
aged 19-20
Nephew of Henry I, apparently succeeded him as ruler, preceding his cousin (Henry I's son). He is referenced as Heinricus iuvenis dux who died in 1227, and Henrici de Medlico (Henry of Mödling).
Henry III the Younger Herzog Heinrich der Juengere von Moedling 1182
Son of Henry I and Richeza of Bohemia
29 November 1228 - 1236 Duchy of Mödling Unmarried 1236
aged 53-54
After his death the duchy reverted to his cousin Gertrude, daughter of Henry II.
Frederick II the Quarrelsome HGM Statue Herzog Friedrich II der Streitbare 25 April 1211
Wiener Neustadt
Second son of Leopold VI and Theodora Angelina
28 July 1230 - 15 June 1246 Duchy of Austria Eudokia Sophia Laskarina Angelina
no children

Agnes of Merania
1229
no children
15 June 1246
Leitha
aged 35
His troublesome marriages with no children opened a succession crisis in Austria.
Gertrude Gertrud Erbtochter von Babenberg 1226
Daughter of Henry II, Duke of Mödling and Agnes of Thuringia
1236 - 4 October 1250 Duchy of Mödling Vladislaus of Bohemia
1246
no children

Herman VI, Margrave of Baden
1248
two children

Roman Danylovych
1252
one child
24 April 1288
aged 61-62
Heiress of Mödling. After her cousin's death in 1246, she was the first to claim the duchy. She was associated with her first two husbands. However, as Herman of Baden failed to defeat the opposition of Austrian nobility, her rule weakened substantially, giving them minimal control over the duchies. Her first refusal of a third marriage with the brother of William II of Holland, combined with the occupation of Austria by her cousin Margaret and Ottokar of Bohemia in 1252, halted to any claim of hers. Although she was even given a part of Styria in 1254, she did not forswear her claim; her territorial portion was taken from her in 1267.
15 June 1246 - 4 October 1250

1254-1267
Duchy of Austria
(in only part of Styria in 1254-67)
Vladislaus of Bohemia 1227
Son of Leopold VI and Theodora Angelina
15 June 1246 - 3 January 1247 Duchy of Austria
(claimant as consort)
Gertrude
1246
no children
3 January 1247
Leitha
aged 19-20
Herman VI, Margrave of Baden Herman VI, Margrave of Baden c.1226
Son of Herman V, Margrave of Baden and Irmengard of the Palatinate
1248 – 4 October 1250 Duchy of Austria
(claimant as consort)
Gertrude
1248
two children
4 October 1250
aged 23-24
Frederick I, Margrave of Baden Konradin 1249
Alland
Son of Herman VI, Margrave of Baden and Gertrude
1254 - 1267 Duchy of Austria
(claimant as heir; in only part of Styria)
Unmarried 29 October 1268
Naples
aged 18-19
Margaret Margarete von Babenberg 1204
Daughter of Leopold VI and Theodora Angelina
6 May 1252 - 29 October 1266 Duchy of Austria
(from 1261 only in Krumau am Kamp)
Henry (VII) of Germany
29 November 1225
Nuremberg
two children

Ottokar II of Bohemia
11 February 1252
Hainburg an der Donau
(annulled 1261)
no children
29 October 1266
Krumau am Kamp
aged 61-62
Margaret and her husband, future King of Bohemia, invaded Austria in 1252 and were successfully proclaimed Dukes of Austria. After the annullment of their marriage, Margaret retired and Ottokar continued his rule until 1276, when signed away his claims in Austria in favor of Rudolph of Habsburg. The matter would be settled with his defeat and death at the Battle on the Marchfeld (1278).
Premislaus Ottokar II of Bohemia The Iron and Golden King Ottokar II of Bohemia 1233
Městec Králové
Son of Wenceslaus I of Bohemia and Kunigunde of Hohenstaufen
6 May 1252 - 1261 Duchy of Austria
(claimant as consort)
Margaret
11 February 1252
Hainburg an der Donau
(annulled 1261)
no children

Kunigunda Rostislavna of Halych
25 October 1261
Pressburg
three children
26 August 1278
Dürnkrut
aged 44-45
1261 - November 1276 Duchy of Austria

Dukes and Archdukes of Austria under the House of Habsburg[]

Duchy of Austria
(1291-1379)
Duchy of
Lower Austria

(1379-1457)
Duchy of Inner and Further Austria
County of Tyrol

(1379-1406)
Duchy of
Further Austria

(1406-1411)
County of Tyrol
Duchy of Further Austria

(1406/11-1453)

Raised in 1453 to:
Archduchy of
Further Austria

(1453-1490)
Duchy of Inner Austria
(1406-1453)

Raised in 1453 to:
Archduchy of
Inner Austria

(1453-1490)
Archduchy of Austria
(Inner Austrian line)
(1490-1564)
Archduchy of Lower
and Upper Austria

(1564-1619)
Archduchy of
Further Austria

(with County
of Tyrol
)

(1564-1619)
Archduchy of
Inner Austria

(1564-1619)
Archduchy of Austria
(Inner Austrian line)
(1619-1623)
Archduchy of Lower
and Inner Austria

(1623-1665)
Archduchy of
Further Austria

(1623-1665)
Archduchy of Austria
(1665-1804)
(Lower/Inner Austrian line 1665-1780;
Habsburg-Lorraine line 1780-1804)

Table of rulers[]

Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Rudolph I Minnigerode-rudolf 1 May 1218
Sasbach am Kaiserstuhl
Son of Albert IV, Count of Habsburg and Hedwig of Kyburg
November 1276 - December 1282
(c.6 years 1 month)
Duchy of Austria Gertrude Anna of Hohenberg
1253
Elsass
ten children

Isabella of Burgundy
6 February 1284
Remiremont
no children
15 July 1291
Speyer
aged 73
Brought the rule of Austria to the Habsburgs after definitively defeating Ottokar II of Bohemia between 1276 and 1278.
Albert I AlbrechtI July 1255
Vienna
Eldest son of Rudolf I and Gertrude of Hohenberg
December 1282 - 1 May 1308
(c.25 years 5 months)
Duchy of Austria Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol
20 December 1274
Vienna
twelve children
1 May 1308
Windisch
aged 52
Sons of Rudolf I, Albert I and Rudolf II, co-ruled in Austria only one year (1282–83) when the sole rule was entrusted by the Treaty of Rheinfelden to Albert alone according to the principle of primogeniture. Albert was elected as king of Germany in 1298, and that same year he associated his own eldest son, Rudolf III in Austria. Rudolf III was also elected King of Bohemia in 1306, but predeceased his father, dying next year. Albert himself died assassinated by his nephew John Parricida.
Rudolf II the Debonair König Rudolf I. mit Agnes von Böhmen July 1270
Rheinfelden
Third son of Rudolph I and Gertrude of Hohenberg
December 1282 - 1 June 1283
(c. 6 months)
Duchy of Austria Agnes of Bohemia
March 1289
Prague
one child
10 May 1290
Prague
aged 20
Rudolf III the Good Rudolph III of Habsburg c. 1281
Vienna
Eldest son of Albert I and Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol
21 November 1298 - 3/4 July 1307
(c. 8 years 7 months 12 days)
Duchy of Austria Blanche of France
25 May 1300
one child

Elisabeth Richeza of Poland
16 October 1306
Prague
no children
3/4 July 1307
Horažďovice
aged 26
Frederick I/III the Fair Frederick III the Fair c. 1289
Vienna
Second son of Albert I and Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol
1 May 1308 - 13 January 1330
(21 years 8 months 12 days)
Duchy of Austria Isabella of Aragon
11 May 1315
Ravensburg
three children
13 January 1330
Gutenstein
aged 41
Younger brothers of Rudolf III, and co-rulers in Austria and Styria. Leopold, despite being younger than Frederick, was the one who primarily inherited the County of Habsburg, the oldest land of the family, and it was only after his death (1326) that Frederick came to rule there. In 1314, Frederick was elected King of the Romans, firstly as rival of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and then accepting co-rulership.
Leopold I the Glorious Leopold I Habsburg 4 August 1290
Vienna
Third son of Albert I and Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol
1 May 1308 - 28 February 1326
(17 years 9 months 27 days)
Duchy of Austria Catherine of Savoy
26 May 1315
Basel
two children
28 February 1326
Strassburg
aged 35
Albert II the Wise Albert II of Austria 12 December 1298
Habsburg Castle
Fourth son of Albert I and Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol
13 January 1330 - 16 August 1358
(28 years 7 months 3 days)
Duchy of Austria Joanna of Pfirt
15 February 1324
Vienna
six children
16 August 1358
Vienna
aged 59
Younger brothers of the predecessors, and co-rulers. Albert established the primogeniture law into their domains. He also brought Carinthia and Carniola into Habsburg rule and laid an unsuccessful siege to Zürich. Otto administered the Swabian Habsburg lands. Otto's minor sons, Frederick (II) and Leopold (II), succeeded him in the co-rulership as titular dukes (1339-1344).
Otto I the Merry Otto the Merry 23 July 1301
Vienna
Seventh son of Albert I and Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol
13 January 1330 - 17 February 1339
(9 years 1 month 4 days)
Duchy of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria
15 May 1325
Straubing
two children

Anne of Bohemia
16 February 1335
Znaim
no children
17 February 1339
Neuberg an der Mürz
aged 37
Rudolf IV the Founder Rudolph IV of Austria 1 November 1339
Vienna
Eldest son of Albert II the Wise and Joanna of Pfirt
16 August 1358 - 27 July 1365
(6 years 11 months 11 days)
Duchy of Austria Catherine of Bohemia
13 July 1356
Vienna
no children
27 July 1365
Milan
aged 25
After the unchanging of privileges for the Habsburgs in the decree of the Golden Bull in 1356, Rudolf gave order to draw up the Privilegium Maius, a fake document to empower the Austrian rulers. He was the first to style himself as "Archduke", title which was only made official in 1453. Rudolf also brought Tyrol into Habsburg domain.
The Privilegium Maius, fabricated by Rudolf in 1359, attempted to invest the Dukes of Austria with the special position of an "Archduke". This title was frequently used by Ernest the Iron and other Dukes but not recognized by other princes of the Holy Roman Empire until Frederick V became Emperor and confirmed the Privilegium in 1453.

After the death of Rudolf in 1365, his brothers Albert and Leopold succeeded him together, but divided their possessions between them in the Treaty of Neuberg of 1379:

  • Albert founded the Albertinian Line, who received the Duchy of Austria, later called Lower Austria (not to be confused with the namesake modern state);
  • Leopold founded the Leopoldinian Line, who received the duchies of Styria, Carinthia and Carniola (group of lands also called Inner Austria), the County of Tyrol and Further Austria.
Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Albert III the Pigtail Albrecht Dritte Habsburg1 9 September 1349
Vienna
Third son of Albert II the Wise and Joanna of Pfirt
29 July 1365 - 25 September 1379
(14 years 1 month 27 days)
Duchy of Austria Elisabeth of Bohemia
after 19 March 1366
Vienna
no children

Beatrice of Nuremberg
4 March 1375
Vienna
one child
29 August 1395
Laxenburg
aged 45
Brothers of the predecessor, divided their domains in 1379. Leopold himself lost his life fighting in the Battle of Sempach (1386), a turning point that established the growth of the Swiss Confederacy and the effective decline of Habsburg power in their Swiss homeland.
25 September 1379 - 29 August 1395
(15 years 11 months 4 days)
Duchy of
Lower Austria
Leopold III the Just Leopold III of Austria 1 November 1351
Vienna
Fourth son of Albert II the Wise and Joanna of Pfirt
29 July 1365 - 25 September 1379
(14 years 1 month 27 days)
Duchy of Austria Viridis Visconti
23 February 1365
Vienna
six children
9 July 1386
Sempach
aged 34
25 September 1379 - 9 July 1386
(6 years 9 months 14 days)
Duchies of Inner and Further Austria
(with County of Tyrol)
William the Courteous Wilhelm Austria c. 1370
Vienna
Eldest son of Leopold the Just and Viridis Visconti
9 July 1386 - 15 July 1406
(20 years 6 days)
Duchies of Inner and Further Austria
(with County of Tyrol)
Joan II of Naples
13 November 1401
Vienna
no children
15 July 1406
Vienna
aged 36
Co-ruled with his brother Leopold IV. Also held regency in Lower Austria 1404–1406.
Leopold IV the Fat Leopold IV c. 1371
Vienna
Second son of Leopold the Just and Viridis Visconti
9 July 1386 - 15 July 1406
(20 years 6 days)
Duchies of Inner and Further Austria
(with County of Tyrol)
Catherine of Burgundy
15 August 1393
Vienna
no children
3 June 1411
Vienna
aged 40
Also held regency in Lower Austria 1404–1411. After the partition of 1406, kept Further Austria.
15 July 1406 - 3 June 1411
(4 years 10 months 19 days)
Duchy of Further Austria
Albert IV the Patient Albrecht IV 19 September 1377
Vienna
Only son of Albert the Pigtail and Beatrice of Nuremberg
29 August 1395 - 14 September 1404
(9 years 16 days)
Lower Austria Joanna Sophia of Bavaria
24 April 1390
Vienna
two children
14 September 1404
Klosterneuburg
aged 26
His rule was marked by tensions and conflicts with the Leopoldinian line and the Luxemburg dynasty.
Regencies of William, Duke of Austria and Leopold IV, Duke of Austria (1404-1411) Succeeded as a minor, under guardianship of his Leopoldinian uncles. He was elected, in 1437–38, as King of Bohemia and King of Hungary, and also as King of Germany, beginning a three centuries long succession of Habsburg rulers as Kings of the Romans and Holy Roman Emperors.
Albert V the Magnanimous Albrecht II as Roman-German king 16 August 1397
Vienna
Only son of Albert IV and Joanna Sophia of Bavaria
14 September 1404 - 27 October 1439
(35 years 1 month 13 days)
Duchy of Lower Austria Elizabeth of Luxembourg
26 April 1422
Vienna
three children
27 October 1439
Neszmély
aged 42
In 1406, after the death of William, the living brothers of the Leopoldinian Line made a new division of their territories:
  • Leopold kept Further Austria, to be inherited by his brother Frederick after his death;
  • Ernest founded the Elder Leopoldinian Line, who received Inner Austria;
  • Frederick founded the Junior Leopoldian Line, who received the county of Tyrol and then Further Austria.
Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Ernest the Iron Ernest the Iron c. 1377
Bruck an der Mur
Third son of Leopold the Just and Viridis Visconti
15 July 1406 - 10 June 1424
(17 years 10 months 26 days)
Duchy of Inner Austria Margaret of Pomerania
14 January 1392
Bruck an der Mur
no children

Cymburgis of Masovia
25 January 1412
Kraków
nine children
10 June 1424
Bruck an der Mur
aged 47
In 1414, he became the last Duke to be enthroned according to Carantanian traditional rite at the Prince's Stone in Carinthia, and from that time on called himself Archduke. Beside Rudolf IV, he was the only one who used the title before it became official in 1453.
Frederick IV of the Empty Pockets Friedrich IV of Austria c. 1382
Fourth son of Leopold the Just and Viridis Visconti
15 July 1406 - 24 June 1439
(32 years 11 months 9 days)
County of Tyrol
(with Further Austria from 1411)
Elisabeth of the Palatinate
24 December 1407
Innsbruck
one child

Anna of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
11 June 1411
Innsbruck
four children
24 June 1439
Innsbruck
aged 57
Also held regency in Inner Austria 1424–1435. By siding with Antipope John XXIII, the Council of Constance stripped him of the remaining important Swiss possessions of the family, which went to the Swiss Confederacy.
Vacant 1439–1440
Regency of Frederick V, Duke of Austria (1440-1452) Succeeded as a minor, under guardianship of his Ernestine cousin. His death without descendants ended the Albertinian line, and the domains he inherited in Bohemia and Hungary, which were only recovered during the reign of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor.
Ladislaus the Posthumous Ladislaus Posthumous 22 February 1440
Komárom
Only son of Albert V and Elizabeth of Luxembourg
22 February 1440 - 23 November 1457
(17 years 9 months 1 day)
Duchy of Lower Austria
(1440-53)

Archduchy of Lower Austria
(1453-57)
Unmarried 23 November 1457
Prague
aged 17
Lower Austria annexed to Inner Austria
Regency of Frederick V, Duke of Austria (1439-1446) In 1490 he abdicated of his territories, giving way for the reunification of Austria.
Sigismund the Rich SigismundAustria 26 October 1427
Innsbruck
Second son of Frederick IV and Anna of Brunswick
24 June 1439 - 1490
(c.51 years)
County of Tyrol
Duchy of Further Austria
(1439-53)

Archduchy of Further Austria
(with County of Tyrol)
(1453-90)
Eleanor of Scotland
12 February 1449
Innsbruck
one child

Katharina of Saxony
24 February 1484
Innsbruck
no children
4 March 1496
Innsbruck
aged 68
Further Austria and Tyrol annexed to Inner Austria
Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Regency of Frederick IV, Duke of Austria (1424-1435) Sons of Ernest I, ruled jointly. Occasionally, Albert revolted against him, occupying, until his death, lands known today as Upper Austria and Lower Austria. On his part, Frederick was elected, between 1440 and 1452, King of the Romans and Holy Roman Emperor. With this dignity, he conceded and made official, in 1453, the Habsburg title of Archduke, elevating officially the Duchy in an Archduchy, which he came to inherit a few years later. In 1490, despite having reunited all of Austria, Frederick's rule wasn't always uncontested:
  • 1485-1490: Matthias Corvinus, king of Hungary, occupied the proper Duchies of Austria and Styria, claimed the title Archduke of Austria.
Frederick V the Peaceful Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor (Burgkmair) 21 September 1415
Innsbruck
First son of Ernest and Cymburgis of Masovia
10 June 1424 - 1490
(66 years)
Duchy of Inner Austria
(1424-53)

Archduchy of Inner Austria
(1453-90)
Eleanor of Portugal
16 March 1452
Rome
five children
19 August 1493
Linz
aged 77
1490 - 19 August 1493
(3 years 7 months 18 days)
full reign (69 years 2 months 9 days)
Archduchy of Austria
Albert VI the Prodigal Albert VI of Austria 12 September 1418
Vienna
Third son of Ernest and Cymburgis of Masovia
10 June 1424 - 2 December 1463
(39 years 5 months 22 days)
Duchy of Inner Austria
(1424-53)

Archduchy of Inner Austria
(1453-63)
Mathilde of the Palatinate
1452
Vienna
no children
2 December 1463
Vienna
aged 45
Maximilian I the Last Knight Albrecht Dürer - Emperor Maximilian I of the HRE 22 March 1459
Wiener Neustadt
Second son of Frederick V and Eleanor of Portugal
19 August 1493 - 12 January 1519
(25 years 4 months 24 days)
Archduchy of Austria Mary of Burgundy
18 August 1477
Ghent
three children

Anne of Brittany
18 December 1490
Rennes
no children

Bianca Maria Sforza
16 March 1494
Hall in Tirol
no children
12 January 1519
Wels
aged 59
In 1490, he reconquered lost Austrian lands after Matthias Corvinus's death and persuaded his cousin Sigismund to cede Tyrol to him. Appointed King of the Romans in 1486 and crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1508. His first marriage allowed him to extend Habsburg domain over the Low Countries.
Charles I Jakob Seisenegger 001 24 February 1500
Ghent
Eldest son of Philip I of Castile and Joanna of Castile
12 January 1519 - 21 April 1521
(2 years 3 months 9 days)
Archduchy of Austria Isabella of Portugal
10 March 1526
Seville
seven children
21 September 1558
Yuste
aged 58
Grandson of his predecessor. Through his mother he gained, in 1516, the recently unified Kingdom of Spain, founding a Spanish branch of the Habsburgs that came to rule until 1700. In 1519,he inherited the Austrian Archduchy, and was the first solely elected (not crowned) King of the Romans and Holy Roman Emperor (as Charles V). In 1521, he abdicated from Austria to his brother, but continued to rule behind him until 1556. In this year, Charles abdicated of all his possessions and retired to the Monastery of Yuste.
Ferdinand I
under Charles I (1521-1556)
Hans Bocksberger der Aeltere 001 10 March 1503
Alcalá de Henares
Second son of Philip I of Castile and Joanna of Castile
21 April 1521 - 25 July 1564
(43 years 3 months 4 days)
Archduchy of Austria Anne of Bohemia and Hungary
25 May 1521
Linz
fifteen children
25 July 1564
Vienna
aged 61
Brother of the predecessor. While Charles I's son Philip II of Spain inherited the "Western" possessions (Low Countries, Spain with ultramarine lands, and Italian states), Ferdinand inherited the rest (Austrian possessions), while gaining the kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia, and came to be elected King of the Romans and Holy Roman Emperor in 1556, after his brother's abdication.
In 1564, after Ferdinand I's death, the Archduchy was once more divided between his sons:
  • Maximilian received Austria proper, known then as Lower and Upper Austria;
  • Ferdinand received Tyrol and Further Austria, which after his death with no descendants passed to the elder Austrian line;
  • Charles received Inner Austria (the duchies of Styria, Cartinhia and Carniola).
Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Maximilian II Nicolas Neufchâtel 002 31 July 1527
Vienna
Eldest son of Ferdinand I and Anne of Bohemia and Hungary
25 July 1564 - 12 October 1576
(12 years 2 months 17 days)
Archduchy of Lower and Upper Austria Maria of Spain
13 September 1548
Valladolid
sixteen children
12 October 1576
Regensburg
aged 49
Maximilian, as the eldest son, was elected King of the Romans and Holy Roman Emperor in 1564, and inherited also the kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia.
Ferdinand II Archduke Ferdinand II of Further Austria 14 June 1529
Linz
Second son of Ferdinand I and Anne of Bohemia and Hungary
25 July 1564 - 24 January 1595
(30 years 5 months 30 days)
Archduchy of Further Austria
(with County of Tyrol)
Philippine Welser
ca. 1576
four children

Anne Juliana Gonzaga
14 May 1582
Innsbruck
three children
24 January 1595
Innsbruck
aged 65
Had descendants, but from his morganatic marriage, making them unsuitable for succession; his lands were eventually inherited by the senior Austrian line.
Charles II Anonym Erzherzog Karl II 3 June 1540
Vienna
Fourth son of Ferdinand I and Anne of Bohemia and Hungary
25 July 1564 - 10 July 1590
(25 years 11 months 15 days)
Archduchy of Inner Austria Maria Anna of Bavaria (I)
26 August 1571
Vienna
fifteen children
10 July 1590
Graz
aged 50
Unlike his brother Maximilian, Charles was Catholic and promoted the Counter-Reformation in his domains.
Rudolf V Hans von Aachen - Portrait of Emperor Rudolf II 18 July 1552
Vienna
Second son of Maximilian II and Maria of Spain
12 October 1576 - 1608
(c.32 years)
Archduchy of Lower and Upper Austria Unmarried 20 January 1612
Prague
aged 59
Also Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia and Hungary. Gained merit in the field of art because he comprehensively supported Mannerist art.
Matthias Lucas van Valckenborch 003 24 February 1557
Vienna
Fourth son of Maximilian II and Maria of Spain
24 January 1595 - 26 June 1612

2 November 1618 - 20 March 1619
(17 years 9 months 18 days)
Archduchy of Further Austria
(with County of Tyrol)
Anna of Tyrol
4 December 1611
Vienna
no children
20 March 1619
Vienna
aged 62
Also Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia and Hungary.
1608 - 20 March 1619
(c.11 years)
Archduchy of Lower and Upper Austria
(with County of Tyrol 1612-18)
Maximilian III Henseiller Maximilian III of Austria 12 October 1558
Vienna
Sixth son of Maximilian II and Maria of Spain
26 June 1612 - 2 November 1618
(6 years 4 months 7 days)
Archduchy of Further Austria Unmarried
(served as Grand Master of the Teutonic Order)
2 November 1618
Vienna
aged 60
In 1587 stood as a candidate to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He also held regency of the Lower and Upper Austria 1593–1595.
Albert VII Rubens - arquiduquealbertoVII01 13 November 1559
Wiener Neustadt
Fifth son of Maximilian II and Maria of Spain
20 March - 9 October 1619
(6 months 19 days)
Archduchy of Lower and Upper Austria Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain
18 April 1599
Valencia
no children
13 July 1621
Brussels
aged 61
Also Viceroy of Portugal under Philip II of Spain, and ruler of the Low Countries (1598-1621). Ruled a few months as archduke, before abdicating. By this he made possible a new reunion of Austria.
In 1619, Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (Ferdinand III of Austria) reunited the Archduchy, but, as consequence of the Thirty Years' War, he felt the need to divide the land once more:
  • Ferdinand kept Lower and Inner Austria;
  • Leopold, Ferdinand's brother, received Upper Austria (with Further Austria and Tyrol).
Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Regencies of Ernest of Austria (1590-1593) and Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria (1593-1595) Also Holy Roman Emperor (1619-1637), and King of Hungary and Bohemia. In 1619 he reunited Austria, but divided it again.
Ferdinand II Kaiser Ferdinand II. 1614 9 July 1578
Graz
Second son of Charles II and Maria Anna of Bavaria (I)
10 July 1590 - 9 October 1619
(29 years 2 months 29 days)
Archduchy of Inner Austria Maria Anna of Bavaria (II)
23 April 1600
Graz
seven children

Eleonora Gonzaga (I)
2 February 1622
Innsbruck
no children
15 February 1637
Vienna
aged 58
9 October 1619 - 1623
(c.4 years)
Archduchy of Austria
1623 - 15 February 1637
(c.14 years),
full reign (46 years 7 months 5 days)
Archduchy of Lower and Inner Austria
Leopold V Joseph Heintz d. Ä. 007 9 October 1586
Graz
Fifth son of Charles II and Maria Anna of Bavaria
1623 - 13 September 1632
(9 years 8 months 12 days)
Archduchy of Further Austria Claudia de' Medici
19 April 1626
Innsbruck
five children
13 September 1632
Schwaz
aged 45
When he was chosen as archduke regnant, he abdicated his ecclesiastical status (held the Bishoprics of Passau and Strasbourg) to get married and have children.
Regency of Claudia de' Medici (1632-1646)
Ferdinand Charles Frans Luycx - Ferdinand Charles, Archduke of Further Austria 17 May 1628
Innsbruck
Eldest son of Leopold V and Claudia de' Medici
13 September 1632 - 30 December 1662
(30 years 3 months 17 days)
Archduchy of Further Austria Anna de' Medici
10 June 1646
Innsbruck
two children
30 December 1662
Kaltern
aged 34
Ferdinand IV Frans Luycx 002 13 July 1608
Graz
Third son of Ferdinand III and Maria Anna of Bavaria (II)
15 February 1637 - 2 April 1657
(20 years 1 month 18 days)
Lower Austria and Inner Austria Maria Anna of Spain
20 February 1631
Vienna
six children

Maria Leopoldine of Austria
2 July 1648
Linz
one child

Eleonora Gonzaga (II)
30 April 1651
Wiener Neustadt
four children
2 April 1657
Vienna
aged 48
Also Holy Roman Emperor (1637-1657), and King of Hungary and Bohemia.
Sigismund Francis Giovanni Maria Morandi 002 27 November 1630
Innsbruck
Second son of Leopold V and Claudia de' Medici
30 December 1662 - 25 June 1665
(2 years 5 months 26 days)
Archduchy of Further Austria Hedwig of the Palatinate-Sulzbach
13 June 1665
Sulzbach
no children
25 June 1665
Innsbruck
aged 34
Brother of the predecessor. After his death, his territories reverted to the elder line.
Leopold VI Benjamin von Block 001 9 June 1640
Vienna
Fourth son of Ferdinand IV and Maria Anna of Spain
2 April 1657 - 25 June 1665
(8 years 2 months 23 days)
Archduchy of Lower and Inner Austria Margaret Theresa of Spain
12 December 1666
Vienna
four children

Claudia Felicitas of Austria
15 October 1673
Graz
two children

Eleanor Magdalene of Palatinate-Neuburg
14 December 1676
Passau
eleven children
5 May 1705
Vienna
aged 64
Also Holy Roman Emperor, and King of Bohemia and Hungary. In 1665, he unified Austria once more.
25 June 1665 - 5 May 1705
(39 years 10 months 10 days)
full reign (48 years 1 month 3 days)
Archduchy of Austria
Joseph I JosephI.1705 26 July 1678
Vienna
Eldest son of Leopold VI and Eleonor Magdalene of Neuburg
5 May 1705 - 17 April 1711
(5 years 11 months 12 days)
Archduchy of Austria Wilhelmina Amalia of Brunswick
10 June 1646
Vienna
three children
17 April 1711
Vienna
aged 32
Also Holy Roman Emperor, and King of Bohemia and Hungary.
Charles III Workshop of Jacob van Schuppen - Portrait of Emperor Karl VI 1 October 1685
Vienna
Second son of Leopold VI and Eleonor Magdalene of Neuburg
17 April 1711 - 20 October 1740
(29 years 6 months 3 days)
Archduchy of Austria Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
1 August 1708
Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona
five children
20 October 1740
Vienna
aged 55
Also Holy Roman Emperor, and King of Bohemia and Hungary. In 1700, he claimed the Kingdom of Spain in the War of Spanish Succession (1700-1713).
Maria Theresa
with Francis I Stephen (1740–1765)
Joseph II (1765–1780)
Kaiserin Maria Theresia (HRR) 13 May 1717
Hofburg Imperial Palace
Eldest daughter of Charles III and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
20 October 1740 - 29 November 1780
(40 years 1 month 9 days)
Archduchy of Austria 12 February 1736
Vienna
sixteen children
29 November 1780
Hofburg Imperial Palace
aged 63
Also Queen of Bohemia and Hungary.
Francis I Stephen
with Maria Theresa (1740–1765)
Martin van Meytens 006 8 December 1708
Nancy
Fourth son of Leopold, Duke of Lorraine and Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans
20 October 1740 - 18 August 1765
(24 years 9 months 29 days)
Archduchy of Austria 18 August 1765
Innsbruck
aged 56
Also Holy Roman Emperor (1740-1765). Exchanged his original Duchy of Lorraine for the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (1737).
The Austrian agnatic branch ended in 1780 with the death of Maria Theresa of Austria and was replaced by a combination of the Austrian cognatic branch of the Habsburgs and the Vaudemont branch of the House of Lorraine in the person of her son Joseph II. The new successor house styled itself as Habsburg-Lorraine (Habsburg-Lothringen). All Habsburgs living today are in the agnatic descendants of Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen.
Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Joseph II Carl von Sales Bildnis Joseph II posthum 1823 13 March 1741
Vienna
Eldest son of Francis I Stephen and Maria Theresa
29 November 1780 – 20 February 1790
(9 years 2 months 22 days)
Archduchy of Austria
(Habsburg-Lorraine)
Isabella of Parma
6 October 1760
Vienna
two children

Maria Josepha of Bavaria
23 January 1765
Schönbrunn
no children
20 February 1790
Vienna
aged 48
Co-ruling with his mother since the death of his father. Also Holy Roman Emperor (1765-1790).
Leopold VII Mengs, Anton Raphael - Pietro Leopoldo d'Asburgo Lorena, granduca di Toscana - 1770 - Prado 5 May 1747
Vienna
Third son of Francis I and Maria Theresa
20 February 1790 - 1 March 1792
(2 years 10 days)
Archduchy of Austria
(Habsburg-Lorraine)
Maria Luisa of Spain
16 February 1764
Innsbruck
sixteen children
1 March 1792
Vienna
aged 44
Had a brief reign. Also elected Holy Roman Emperor (1790-1792).
Francis II Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor by Friedrich von Amerling 003 12 February 1768
Florence
Eldest son of Leopold VII and Maria Luisa of Spain
1 March 1792 – 11 August 1804
(12 years 5 months 10 days)
Archduchy of Austria
(Habsburg-Lorraine)
Elisabeth of Württemberg
6 January 1788
Vienna
one child

Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily
15 September 1790
Vienna
twelve children

Maria Ludovika of Austria-Este
6 January 1808
Vienna
no children

Caroline Augusta of Bavaria
29 October 1816
Vienna
no children
2 March 1835
Vienna
aged 67
In 1804 Francis adopted the new title Emperor of Austria, but kept the title of Archduke of Austria. In 1806 the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved.
Francis I Jan Tysiewicz - Portret cesarza Franciszka I w stroju koronacyjnym 11 August 1804 - 2 March 1835
(30 years 6 months 19 days)
full reign (43 years 1 day)
Empire of Austria
Ferdinand I & V the Benevolent Kaiser Ferdinand I Von Österreich 19 April 1793
Vienna
Son of Francis I and Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily
2 March 1835 – 2 December 1848
(13 years 9 months)
Empire of Austria Maria Anna of Savoy
12 February 1731
Turin
(by procuration)
no children
29 June 1875
Prague
aged 82
Abdicated following the Revolutions of 1848, Ferdinand V as Archduke of Austria.
Francis Joseph Franz Russ der Jüngere - Kaiser Franz Joseph I. - 6156 - Österreichische Galerie Belvedere 18 August 1830
Florence
Son of Archduke Franz Karl of Austria and Princess Sophie of Bavaria
2 December 1848 - 21 November 1916
(67 years 11 months 19 days)
Empire of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria
24 April 1854
Vienna
four children
21 November 1916
Vienna
aged 86
Nephew of Ferdinand I, and grandson of Francis I.
Charles I & IV Porträt Kaiser Karls I. von Habsburg-Lothringen mit den Orden vom Goldenen Vlies 17 August 1887
Persenbeug-Gottsdorf
Son of Archduke Otto Franz of Austria and Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony
21 November 1916 - 12 November 1918
(1 year 11 months 22 days)
Empire of Austria Zita of Bourbon-Parma
21 October 1911
Schwarzau am Steinfeld
eight children
1 April 1922
Funchal
aged 34
Grand-nephew of Francis Joseph I, and great-great-grandson of Francis I. Following the defeat in World War I, the Empire was dissolved in 1918, Charles IV as Archduke of Austria

Habsburg Restoration[]

Name Portrait Born Reign Ruling part Death Notes
Otto I & II Otto I & II of Austria and Danubia 20 November 1912
Reichenau an der Rax,
Son of Charles I and Zita of Bourbon Parma
12 August 1945 - 4 July 2011
(65 years 10 months 22 days)
Archduchy of Austria 4 July 2011
Vienna
aged 98
Son of Charles I, restored to the throne in 1945 after convincing the western powers that the monarchy would influence Austria to not re-unify with Germany, restoration was formalized in a referendum where the monarchy passed with 56% of the vote, made his son co-monarch in 2007, died in 2011
1 January 1993 – 4 July 2011
(18 years 6 months 3 days)
Empire of Danubia
Charles II & V Karl Habsburg-Lothringen (2022) 11 January 1961
Starnberg
Son of Otto of I and Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen
1 January 2007 - Present Empire of Danubia Living Son of Otto I, declared in his 2024 christmas speech his intention to abdicate due to recommendation after cancer diagnosis, from most of his duties, but will remain nominally co-monarch until 2037
Ferdinand II & VI Ferdinand II & V Habsburg Lothringen 20 June 1997
Salzburg
Son of Archduke Charles II and Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony
21 January 2024 - Present Empire of Danubia Living Son of Charles II