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Friedrich IV of Austria (1382 - June 24, 1439) was a Habsburg duke of Tirol, son of Leopold III of Austria.
Friedrich's regency over Tirol and the scattered Habsburg territories in southwestern Germany and in the Alsace referred to collectively as Vorderösterreich began in 1402. The early years of his reign were marked by external and internal conflicts. He had to overcome the opposition of the local nobles in 1406/07, and had to deal with the independence movement in Appenzell, which became a protectorate of the Old Swiss Confederacy in 1411.
When he sided with Antipope John XXIII at the Council of Constance, emperor Sigismund banned him. Thanks to the support of the local poulation he managed to keep Tirol, but he lost the Aargau, the old homeland of the Habsburgs, to the Swiss.
By 1425, his rule over Tirol had stabilized, also due to successful beginning of silver mining that brought an increase in prosperity to the region.
Friedrich also moved the court from Merano to Innsbruck.
Friedrich was married to Anna of Braunschweig; they had one son, Sigismund.
External link
- Encyclopedia of Austria (http://www.aeiou.at/aeiou.encyclop.f/f831241.htm;internal&action=_setlanguage.action?LANGUAGE=en)
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