Albert III, Duke of Austria

Albert III of Austria (September 9, 1349–August 29, 1395), known as "Albert with the Pigtail" (German: "Herzog Albrecht III "mit dem Copfe"), was a duke of Austria and a member of the House of Habsburg.

Life

Albert III was born in Vienna, the 3rd son of Duke Albert II of Austria. Even though his father had determined that the eldest son should be the sole successor, after his father's death in 1358, Albert later inherited the rule from his two older brothers Rudolf IV and Frederick III and later shared it with his younger brother Leopold III.

In 1377, Albert went on a crusade against the pagan Lithuanians and Samogitians.

After Rudolf's and Frederick's death without an heir, Albert and his remaining brother, Leopold III, entered, in 1379, into the Treaty of Neuberg to divide the Habsburg territories. Albert received Austria proper while Leopold ruled over Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol and Further Austria.

His government was beneficial to the realm, as he supported the arts and sciences. Albert was an apt scholar himself, particularly as a mathematician. He expanded the University of Vienna and attempted to refurbish Vienna.

Albert died in 1395 at the castle Schloss Laxenburg. He is buried in the Ducal Crypt in the Stephansdom cathedral in Vienna.

Family and children

Albert III was married twice. The first marriage, after 19 March 1366, was with Elisabeth of Bohemia (1358-1373), daughter of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor. This marriage was childless; his wife died at fifteen. Secondly, he married Beatrix of Nuremberg, daughter of Frederick V of Nuremberg and Elisabeth of Meissen who gave him his only son, Albert IV, who succeeded him. Elisabeth of Meissen was descended from the Babenberg dukes of Austria.

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