Rudolf I of Germany

Rudolf of Habsburg (1 May 1218 – 15 July 1291) was a German nobleman and the first member of the House of Habsburg to become King of the Romans, reigning from 1273 until his death. Born into a relatively minor noble family, Rudolf became Count of Habsburg in 1240 and worked hard to grow his power. He built important forts like Neuhabsburg Castle and made useful alliances, including his marriage to Gertrude of Hohenberg, which helped him gain support from the Swabian nobility.

During a time of great chaos known as the Great Interregnum, Rudolf showed great leadership. He fought in regional wars and even joined the Prussian Crusade in 1254. He also worked to bring peace, stopping robber barons and feuding nobles from causing trouble. Even though he faced excommunication for arguing with church leaders, he later made peace with them and was known for being fair and practical.

In 1273, Rudolf was elected King of the Romans, ending many years without an emperor. As king, he strengthened the power of the empire in Germany. He defeated King Ottokar II of Bohemia and brought lands like Austria, Styria, and Carinthia under Habsburg control. His reign helped the Habsburg family become one of the most important royal families in European history. Rudolf passed away in 1291, leaving behind a legacy of peace and ambition in the Holy Roman Empire.

Early life

Rudolf was born on 1 May 1218 at Limburgh Castle near Sasbach am Kaiserstuhl in the Breisgau region of present-day southwestern Germany. He was the son of Count Albert IV of Habsburg and Hedwig, daughter of Count Ulrich of Kyburg. The Habsburgs got their name from Habichtsburg Castle near Brugg in Aargau, which was probably built by Guntram the Rich in 1020. Rudolf grew up away from the royal court and likely did not learn to write or speak Latin. He had two brothers, Albrecht and Hartmann, and two sisters, Kunigunde and another whose name is unknown. When Rudolf's father passed away in 1240, Rudolf became the sole ruler of the main Habsburg line.

Count of Habsburg

When his father passed away in 1239, Rudolf inherited lands around Habsburg Castle in the Aargau area of what is now Switzerland and in Alsace. In 1240, he began dealing with disagreements with nearby nobles, which sometimes led to fights and even the destruction of their strongholds. Around 1244, Rudolf built Neuhabsburg Castle on Lake Lucerne, which helped strengthen his family’s position in central Switzerland. In 1253, he married Gertrude of Hohenberg, which improved his political standing and gave him important connections, especially in Swabia. During his time, there were many conflicts between leaders and church officials, and Rudolf sometimes had disagreements with church leaders. At one point, his actions against the Bishop of Basel led to his excommunication, but he later made peace with the Church. In 1254, Rudolf joined the Prussian Crusade led by the Teutonic Order against Prussian tribes, which helped build his reputation as a brave knight and expanded his connections among German nobles.

Rise to power

Main article: Great Interregnum

After the death of Frederick II in 1250, the Holy Roman Empire faced a time of confusion called the Great Interregnum. Many leaders tried to take control but none could fully rule. This chaos gave Count Rudolf a chance to grow his power. He took over lands from his uncle and won disputes with local leaders, making himself stronger.

In 1273, leaders of the empire chose Rudolf to be their king. They elected him in Frankfurt and he was crowned in Aachen later that year. Though the pope wanted to approve him, Rudolf became king without waiting for that approval. He later met with the pope and promised to protect the Church's rights.

King of the Germans

In 1274, leaders met in Nuremberg and decided that lands taken after the death of Emperor Frederick II should be given back. King Ottokar II did not follow this rule and kept control of Austria, Styria, and other areas. Rudolf did not agree and declared these lands should go back to the empire. This led to war in 1276.

Rudolf worked with former enemies to take control of these lands from Ottokar. In 1278, the two sides fought at the Battle on the Marchfeld, where Ottokar was defeated. Rudolf then gave control of some lands to his sons, starting the rule of the House of Habsburg in Austria and Styria. He also worked to strengthen his power in other areas, such as Switzerland.

Rudolf tried to bring peace to the empire but faced many challenges. He issued orders for peace in several regions but did not have enough power to enforce them fully. In 1284, he married Isabella, daughter of Duke Hugh IV of Burgundy. When Rudolf passed away in 1291, the leaders chose Count Adolf of Nassau as the new king instead of his son Albert.

Persecution of the Jews

In 1286, Rudolf I made changes that took away the political freedoms of Jewish people in Germany. Because of this, Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg left Germany with his family but was later captured in Lombardy and kept in a fortress in Alsace. Even though a large amount of money was offered to free him, he refused it because he did not want others to suffer the same fate. He remained in prison for many years.

Death

Rudolf passed away in Speyer on 15 July 1291 and was laid to rest in Speyer Cathedral. Among his children, only one son, Albert I, lived beyond his years. Many of his daughters also lived longer than he did, except for Catherine, who passed away during childbirth in 1282, and Hedwig, who died in 1285 or 1286.

Rudolf is best remembered for making the House of Habsburg a strong and important family in the southern part of the land he ruled. In other areas, the power of the rulers had been getting weaker since the time of the Investiture Controversy, leaving local leaders more in charge of their own lands. In the Divine Comedy, the writer Dante mentions Rudolf as someone who did not do all that he could have.

Family and children

Rudolf was married twice. First, in 1251, to Gertrude of Hohenberg and second, in 1284, to Isabelle of Burgundy. All his children were from the first marriage.

His children included Matilda, who married Duke Louis II of Bavaria; Albert I of Germany, who became Duke of Austria and Duke of Styria; and Judith, who married King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia. Several of his other children also married into important families across Europe.