Saint Leopold III of Austria

Becoming Margrave in 1095 Leopold finally started making Austria important.  How? By marriage policy of course! The Investiture Controversy was still going when shortly before the finishing battle Leopold changed sides and supported Henry V instead of his father Henry IV. Therefore he was allowed to marry Henrys sister Agnes. This connection to the Salian family raised to importance of the Babenberg house within the empire. Leopold was even considered a candidate for the election of the King of the Romans (römisch- deutscher König) but declined. He called himself “Princeps Terrae” which reflected the growing importance of the Austrian lands.

Leopold was regarded as a good ruler; he supported the expansions of cities like Vienna, Klosterneuburg and Krems, improving the Austrian infrastructure. He also founded the monasteries of Heiligenkreuz, Kleinmariazell and Seitenstetten thus developing the surrounding territory. All this led to him becoming a saint in 1485.  In 1663 he finally replaced Coloman as the patron saint of Austria.

Leopolds wife Agnes of Waiblingen gave birth to 28 children (11 in her first marriage); however she survived most of her kids and her two husbands, eventually dying at the age of 71.

This is also the first drawing where I had firsthand clothing references! According to legend the golden eagle pattern of his dress later became the coat of arms of Lower Austria.

Old Paper Texture in the background by fav.me/d2n8aw8