# Otto, Duke of Austria

Otto, known as the Merry (German: der Fröhliche; 23 July 1301 – 17 February 1339), was Duke of Austria and Styria from 1330, as well as Duke of Carinthia from 1335 until his death. A member of the House of Habsburg, he ruled jointly with his elder brother Duke Albert II.

## Biography

Otto was born in the Austrian capital, Vienna, the youngest son of King Albert I of Germany and Elizabeth of Carinthia, a member of the House of Gorizia-Tyrol (Meinhardiner). His elder brothers were Rudolf III, who became King of Bohemia in 1306, Frederick the Fair, elected King of the Romans in opposition to Louis the Bavarian in 1314, the Austrian dukes Leopold I and Albert II, as well as Henry the Friendly.
After the murder of King Albert I in 1308, the Habsburgs lost out in the struggle for the German throne, when Frederick the Fair was defeated by his Wittelsbach rival Louis in the 1322 Battle of Mühldorf. In the course of a rapprochement of both dynasties, Otto married Elizabeth of Wittelsbach, a daughter of Duke Stephen I of Bavaria. In 1327 he founded Neuberg Abbey in Styria, on the occasion of the birth of his first son Frederick II, and the Chapel of Saint George in the Augustinian Church in Vienna. When his wife Elizabeth died in 1330, she was buried at the Neuberg Abbey church.
From 1329 onwards, Otto administered the original Habsburg possessions in Swabia (Further Austria). In 1330, he and his brother Albert II were enfeoffed with the Austrian duchy. Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor since 1328, also vested Otto with the title of an Imperial vicar. In February he developed close ties with the mighty House of Luxembourg by secondly marrying Anna of Bohemia, daughter of King John the Blind and sister of future emperor Charles IV, in the Moravian royal city of Znojmo.
Two months later, Otto's maternal uncle, the Meinhardiner duke Henry of Carinthia, died without male heirs, whereupon Emperor Louis IV on 2 May 1335 ceded the Duchy of Carinthia, the adjacent March of Carniola and the southern part of the Tyrol to Otto and Albert as Imperial fiefs in Linz. Otto was enthroned as duke in accordance with the archaic Carantanian rite on the Zollfeld plain, and, from that time onwards, took care of Carinthia rather than of the Austrian duchy. In 1337 he founded the knightly order Societas Templois for the crusade against the pagan Prussian and Lithuanian tribes. His nickname "the Merry" refers to the festive atmosphere at his court.
Otto died at Neuberg Abbey at the age of 37. His sons and titular successors Frederick II and Leopold II died shortly afterwards in 1344 (presumably poisoned), and the line became extinct.

## Marriages and children

On 15 May 1325, Otto married his first wife Elizabeth of Bavaria. She was a daughter of Stephen I, Duke of Bavaria and Jutta of Schweidnitz. They had two children:
* Frederick II (10 February 1327 – 11 December 1344)
* Leopold II, Duke of Austria (1328 – 10 August 1344)
Elizabeth of Bavaria died on 25 March 1330. Otto remained a widower for almost five years. On 16 February 1335, Otto married his second wife Anna of Luxembourg, daughter of King John of Bohemia and his first wife Elizabeth, a member of the Přemyslid dynasty. They had no children. Anna died on 3 September 1338.
Otto also had four illegitimate sons who appear in genealogies. The identities of their mother or mothers and their later fates are unknown:
* Otto
* Leopold
* Johann
* Leopold

## Ancestry

Ancestors of Otto, Duke of Austria :

## Male-line family tree

vteHouse of Habsburg :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | Original line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 | Albert Count of Habsburg c. 1188–1239 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 | Rudolf I of Germany c. 1218–1291 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | Albert I of Germany 1255–1308 | | | | | | | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Hartmann 1263–1281 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 | Rudolf II Duke of Austria 1270–1290 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Rudolf I of Bohemia 1281–1307 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Frederick the Fair c. 1289–1330 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Leopold I Duke of Austria 1290–1326 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Albert II Duke of Austria 1298–1358 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Henry the Friendly 1299–1327 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | Otto Duke of Austria 1301–1339 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 | John Parricida c. 1290–1312/1313 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | Albertinian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | Leopoldian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | Rudolf IV Duke of Austria 1339–1365 | | | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | Frederick III 1347–1362 | | | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | Albert III Duke of Austria 1349–1395 | | | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Leopold III Duke of Austria 1351–1386 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Frederick II Duke of Austria 1327–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 | Leopold II Duke of Austria 1328–1344 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | Albert IV Duke of Austria 1377–1404 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | William Duke of Austria c. 1370–1406 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Leopold IV Duke of Austria 1371–1411 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | Ernest Duke of Austria 1377–1424 | | | | | | | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 | Frederick IV Duke of Austria 1382–1439 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | Albert II of Germany 1397–1439 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Frederick III HRE 1415–1493 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Albert VI Archduke of Austria 1418–1463 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 | Sigismund Archduke of Austria 1427–1496 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | Ladislaus the Posthumous 1440–1457 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | Maximilian I HRE 1459–1519 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | Philip I of Castile 1478–1506 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line |
| | | | | | | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | Spanish / Iberian line | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | Austrian / HRE line | | | | | | | | | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | Charles V HRE 1500–1558 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 | Ferdinand I HRE 1503–1564 |
| | | | | | | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | Philip II of Spain 1527–1598 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | Maximilian II HRE 1527–1576 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria 1529–1595 | | | | | | | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 | Charles II Archduke of Austria 1540–1590 |
| Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Carlos Prince of Asturias 1545–1568 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Philip III of Spain 1578–1621 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Rudolf II HRE 1552–1612 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Ernest of Austria 1553–1595 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Matthias HRE 1557–1619 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Maximilian III Archduke of Austria 1558–1618 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Albert VII Archduke of Austria 1559–1621 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Wenceslaus Archduke of Austria 1561–1578 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Andrew Margrave of Burgau 1558–1600 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Charles Margrave of Burgau 1560–1618 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | Ferdinand II HRE 1578–1637 | | | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | Maximilian Ernest of Austria 1583–1616 | | | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | Leopold V Archduke of Austria 1586–1632 | | | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 | Charles of Austria 1590–1624 |
| | | | | | | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Philip IV of Spain 1605–1665 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Charles of Austria 1607–1632 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | Ferdinand of Austria 1609–1641 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | John-Charles of Austria 1605–1619 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | Ferdinand III HRE 1608–1657 | | | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | Leopold Wilhelm of Austria 1614–1662 | | | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | Ferdinand Charles Archduke of Austria 1628–1662 | | | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 | Sigismund Francis Archduke of Austria 1630–1665 |
| Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Balthasar Charles Prince of Asturias 1629–1646 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | Charles II of Spain 1661–1700 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Ferdinand IV King of the Romans 1633–1654 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | Leopold I HRE 1640–1705 | | | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 | Charles Joseph of Austria 1649–1664 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | Joseph I HRE 1678–1711 | | | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 | Charles VI HRE 1685–1740 |
Notes:
↑ "Habsburg family tree". Habsburg family website. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023. :