Rudolf I of Habsburg
The first German king of the Habsburg (or Hapsburg) dynasty, Rudolf von Habsburg renounced imperial rights in Rome in exchange for papal recognition, and sought to maintain peace between his German lands and neighbors. He was never officially crowned Holy Roman Emperor, but his territorial acquisitions would later form the nucleus of one of the most powerful dynasties of medieval times.
Rudolf is sometimes seen as a pawn because he was selected by the German Electors for his apparent malleability, but he still managed to hold Germany together against rival claimants. Although he was able to grant lands aquired through conquest (including Austria and Styria) to his sons, the electorate blocked him from naming either of them as his successors, keeping the crown from becoming a hereditary possession. Rudolf did succeed in enforcing the public peace (Landfriede) and in reasserting the right of the crown to impose taxation on the cities of Germany.
Important Dates
Born: May 1, 1218
Crowned: Oct. 24, 1273
Died: July 15, 1291
On the Web
General
Catholic Encyclopedia: Rudolf of Habsburg
Thorough overview of Rudolf's life and role in history by Franz Kampers.Knox, Rudolf of Hapsburg
Brief explanation of the motives for and results of Rudolf's election, by Dr. E.L. Skip Knox.Rudolph I of Germany
Fairly substantive, well-hyperlinked biography at Wikipedia.Rudolf I von Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor
Concise bio provided by Brigitte Gastel Lloyd at her European Royalty and Nobility site.
Images
Gravestone
Relief work from Rudolf's crypt, provided by E.J. Noomen.
Primary Sources
Mandate on property of fleeing Jews
Modern German translation at OHHs Historische Seiten.Establishment of feudal relationship of the Jews of Limburg to Gerlach von Limburg
Modern German translation at OHHs Historische Seiten.
In Print
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A History of the Habsburg Empire 1273-1700
by Jean Berenger; translated by C.A. Simpson
Related Resources
Medieval Europe
Multilevel index of sites offering primary documents, people, maps, castles, Early Europe, the Carolingian Empire, general history of the continent, and various topics in European history.
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