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Rudolf IV of Austria

«the Founder»

Duke of Austria from 1358. He commissioned the forged Privilegium maius to raise Austria’s standing, founded the University of Vienna in 1365 and acquired Tyrol.

1339 – 1365DukeHabsburg · ES
Explore this family · Spanish AtlasBack to people
Portrait of Rudolf IV of Austria
Contemporary portraitRudolf IV of AustriaAnonymous master from Prague or Vienna · 1360–1365Dom Museum Wien, ViennaPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1339 Documented

Death: 1365 Documented

Role: Duke

Other recorded names: Rudolf IV der Stifter

Dynasty: Habsburg · ES

Territories: Austria (ES) · Duchy of Styria (ES) · Carinthia (ES) · Carniola (ES) · Tyrol (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
Duke · Austria · Duchy Documented1358–1365Effective ruleHe retained the ducal title; his claim to archducal rank was validated in 1453.
Duke · Duchy of Styria · Duchy Documented1358–1365Effective ruleHe retained the ducal title; his claim to archducal rank was validated in 1453.
Duke · Carinthia · Duchy Documented1358–1365Effective ruleHe retained the ducal title; his claim to archducal rank was validated in 1453.
Lord · Carniola · Lordship Documented1358–1363Effective ruleGovernment of Carniola with the title dominus Carniole; the ducal title dates from 1364.
Duke · Carniola · Duchy Documented1364–1365Effective ruleDucal title of Carniola adopted in 1364; territorial rank consolidated subsequently.
Count · Tyrol · County Documented1363–1365Effective ruleMargaret's cession in 1363 and the brothers' joint succession; Leopoldian separation following Neuberg in 1379. Neighbouring bishoprics are excluded.
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Rudolf IV of Austria. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1363

  • Austria5 titles and offices
    View titles and jurisdictions
    • Austria · ESDuke · Effective rule1358–1365 · He retained the ducal title; his claim to archducal rank was validated in 1453.
    • Duchy of Styria · ESDuke · Effective rule1358–1365 · He retained the ducal title; his claim to archducal rank was validated in 1453.
    • Carinthia · ESDuke · Effective rule1358–1365 · He retained the ducal title; his claim to archducal rank was validated in 1453.
    • Carniola · ESLord · Effective rule1358–1363 · Government of Carniola with the title dominus Carniole; the ducal title dates from 1364.
    • Tyrol · ESCount · Effective rule1363–1365 · Margaret's cession in 1363 and the brothers' joint succession; Leopoldian separation following Neuberg in 1379. Neighbouring bishoprics are excluded.

    A common colour groups the Austrian lands and directly administered provinces governed simultaneously by this person. Their titles and territorial identities remain distinct; Bohemia and Hungary require their own documented groupings. Source for this grouping

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

10 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (1/2 with a precise source)
Governments (6/6 with a precise source)
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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