Home > Albert II of Germany

Albert succeeded to the duchy of Austria on his father's death in 1404. After receiving a good education, he undertook the government of Austria in 1411, and succeeded, with the aid of his advisers, in ridding the duchy of the evils which had arisen during his minority. He assisted the German emperor Sigismund, who was also king of Hungary and Bohemia, in his campaigns against the Hussites, and in 1422 married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sigismund, who designated him as his successor. (Note that she was not the daughter of Sigismund's first wife Mary of Hungary, and thus not descended from the old Arpád kings of Hungary.)

When Sigismund died in 1437, Albert was crowned king of Hungary on January 1, 1438, and although crowned king of Bohemia six months later, he was unable to obtain possession of the country. He was engaged in warfare with the Bohemians and their Polish allies, when on March 18March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). There are 288 days remaining. Events 37 The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius' will and proclaims Caligula emperor. 1229 Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor declares himself King, 1438 he was chosen German emperor at Frankfurt, an honour which he does not appear to have sought.

Afterwards engaged in defending Hungary against the attacks of the Turks, he died on October 27October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. Events 625 Honorius I becomes Pope. 1644 Second Battle of Newbury in the English Civil War. 1795 The United States and Spain sign the Treaty o 1439 at Langendorf, and was buried at Stuhlweissenburg. Albert was an energetic and warlike prince, whose short reign gave great promise of usefulness for Germany.

His children were:

• Ladislas V Posthumus of Bohemia, King of Hungary and Bohemia
• Anne of Austria, (1432-1462), who married William III, Duke of Saxony
• Elizabeth (1438-1505), who married Casimir IV of PolandJan Matejko Casimir IV the Jagiellonian (Polish: Kazimierz Jagiellonczyk Lithuanian Kazimieras Jogailaitis ( 1427 1492), of the House of Jagiello was grand duke of Lithuania from 1440 and king of Poland from 1447 until his death. The son of king Ladislaus, and whose son Ladislas VI of Bohemia later became king of Bohemia and Hungary.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. 1911 Britannica