Albrecht III Duke of Austria from 18 November 1364 to 25 September 1379 Date of Birth: 09.09.1349 Country: Austria

1. Early Life and Reign
2. Expansion and Division
3. Centralization and Support for the Arts
4. Swiss Wars and Later Reign
5. Death and Legacy

Early Life and Reign

Albrecht III, born the third son of Duke Albrecht II and Johanna Pfirt, was the founder of the Albertine line of the House of Habsburg. Following the death of his elder brother Rudolf IV in 1365, Albrecht III inherited the Duchy of Austria alongside his younger brother Leopold III.

Expansion and Division

Initially, the brothers ruled jointly, following the laws established by Albrecht II and Rudolf IV. During their reign, the Habsburg territories expanded significantly. They acquired Inner Istria, securing access to the Adriatic Sea, and incorporated much of Vorarlberg into the monarchy in 1375. In 1377, Albrecht III embarked on a crusade against the pagan Lithuanians.

In 1379, the brothers violated the ordinances of their predecessors and concluded the Treaty of Neuberg, dividing their hereditary lands. Albrecht III received the Duchy of Austria proper, including the Styrian fiefs in present-day Upper Austria (Steyr, Enns), while Leopold III became ruler of Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, Istria, Tyrol, and Further Austria. This division marked the beginning of a century-long period of fragmentation in the Austrian monarchy, severely weakening the Habsburgs' position in Germany.

Centralization and Support for the Arts

Despite the territorial division, Albrecht III maintained the principles of centralization established by his predecessors. In 1380, he subdued the Count of Schaunberg, who had attempted to create an independent state on the Austro-Bavarian border, and annexed new territories in central Upper Austria (Eferding).

Albrecht III was a patron of the arts, sciences, and education. He had a keen interest in mathematics and astrology. In 1385, he expanded the University of Vienna and established a theology faculty, elevating the university's status among European institutions.

Swiss Wars and Later Reign

Leopold III's death in the War against the Swiss in 1386 allowed Albrecht III to temporarily reunite the Austrian lands, becoming regent to Leopold's young children. He continued his brother's policies and led a new campaign into Switzerland, but suffered defeat at the Battle of Näfels in 1388. The subsequent Peace of 1394 recognized the independence of the Swiss cantons from Austria. As compensation, Albrecht III acquired Bludenz in Vorarlberg in 1394.

Death and Legacy

Albrecht III died in 1395 and was buried in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. His reign marked a period of territorial division and loss, but also of cultural and educational advancement in Austria. He left a lasting legacy as the founder of the Albertine line of the Habsburg dynasty.