Leopold I, Margrave of Austria

Leopold I
Margrave of Austria
Leopold the Illustrious fighting the Magyars and defending Melk, Babenberger Stammbaum, Klosterneuburg Monastery, 1489–1492
Margrave	976–994
Predecessor	Burkhard
Successor	Henry I
Wife	Richardis of Sualafeldgau
Family	House of Babenberg
Father	Berthold, Count of the Nordgau (?)
Born	c. 940
Died	10 July 994(994-07-10) Würzburg, Franconia
Buried	Melk Abbey

Leopold I (also Liutpold; c. 940 – 10 July 994), known as the Illustrious (German: der Erlauchte), a member of the House of Babenberg, was Margrave of Austria from 976 until his death. He was the first margrave of the Babenberg dynasty which ruled of the March and Duchy of Austria until its extinction in 1246.

The origins of Leopold the Illustrious are not known. According to early traditions, documented by Bishop Otto of Freising in the twelfth century, he is descended from Duke Henry of Franconia and the Elder Babenberg family (Popponids) whose genealogy is documented in Franconia Nobility. According to some sources, his father Berthold was count in the Nordgau, the region north of Ratisbon (Regensburg) in the Duchy of Bavaria. A more recent theory identifies Leopold as a younger son of Duke Arnulf of Bavaria and brother (or nephew) of Count Berthold of Schweinfurt. While his ancestry remains disputed, some affiliation with the ducal Luitpoldings dynasty is probable.

Leopold is first mentioned in a document issued by Emperor Otto I on 13 February 962 as Liupo, count of the Bavarian Donaugau region near Ratisbon, count of the Traungau region, and a faithful follower of the emperor. After Otto I had defeated the Magyars in the 955 Battle of Lechfeld, he re-established the Bavarian Marcha orientalis (Eastern March) in the conquered territories, placing them under the command of Margrave Burkhard, a brother-in-law of Duchess Judith, consort of Duke Henry II of Bavaria. When Burkhard joined the uprising of Duke Henry II ("the Wrangler") against Emperor Otto II, he was deposed at the Imperial Diet of Ratisbon in 976. According to a charter dated 21 July 976, loyal Leopold was appointed margrave of the Marcha orientalis, the core territory of the later Archduchy of Austria.