Editing History of Austria (section)

==== Union with Bavaria 1139 ====
Leopold III was succeeded by his son, [[Leopold, Duke of Bavaria|Leopold IV]] 'The Generous' (1137–1141). Leopold further enhanced the status of Austria by also becoming [[Duke of Bavaria]] in 1139, as Leopold I. Bavaria itself had been in the hands of the [[House of Welf|Welf]] (Guelph) dynasty, who were pitted against the [[House of Hohenstaufen|Hohenstaufen]]. The latter came to the imperial throne in 1138 in the person of [[Conrad III of Germany|Conrad III]] (1138–1152); the Duke of Bavaria, [[Henry the Proud]], was himself a candidate for the imperial crown and disputed the election of Conrad, and was subsequently deprived of the Duchy, which was given to Leopold IV. When Leopold died, his lands were inherited by his brother [[Henry II, Duke of Austria|Henry II]] (Heinrich Jasomirgott) (1141–1177).

In the meantime, Conrad had been succeeded as emperor by his nephew [[Frederick I Barbarossa]] (1155–1190), who was descended from both the Welfs and Hohenstauffens and sought to end the conflicts within Germany. To this end he returned Bavaria to the Welfs in 1156, but as compensation elevated Austria to a duchy through an instrument known as the [[Privilegium Minus]]. Henry II thus became Duke of Austria in exchange for losing the title of Duke of Bavaria.