Background
He was the second son of Henry II, Duke of Austria.
He was the second son of Henry II, Duke of Austria.
His lands spanned from Liesing to Piesting and Bruck an der Leitha. His first known use of the title "Duke of Mödling" was from 1205. The castle of the same name became his Seat of Power.
By 6 June 1197, he was at the Imperial court encampment at Castro Saint Giovanni and a few days later, at the same time with Duke Frederick in Linaria.
When they left Apulia to reach Sicily, they were encouraged further, after two ships sunk at sea, with the Abbots of Werd and Beuern. The Emperor now took full command and instructed Conrad, Archbishop of Mainz & Chancellor of Germany to lead the fleet over the Mediterranean.
They sailed in early September 1197 and arrived in Acre a few weeks later. His branch of the Babenberg line did not focus on matters of war, but became mostly interested in arts
His surname is somewhat confusing, as Mödling was not a separate duchy, but a subordinate-duchy ruled by the Babenbergs in Vienna.
His territory, under his reign, experienced a marginal prosperity. During his government, he built Mödling castle in the 12th century. The most prominent guest was the minstrel Walther von der Vogelweide in 1219.