Editing Flag of Austria (section)

=== Legend ===
[[File:Herzog Leopold V. Babenberg.jpg|thumb|Duke [[Leopold V, Duke of Austria|Leopold V]] (left of centre, kneeling) receiving the red-white-red banner from Emperor [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]], from the Babenberger Stammbaum, [[Klosterneuburg Monastery]], {{circa|1490}}]]
According to legend, the flag was invented by Duke Leopold V of Austria as a consequence of his fighting during the [[Siege of Acre (1189–1191)|Siege of Acre]]. After a fierce battle, his white [[surcoat]] was completely drenched in blood. When he removed his belt, the cloth beneath remained unstained, revealing the combination of red-white-red. So taken was he by this singular sight that he adopted the colours and scheme as his banner.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=scHXHTkRmZcC&pg=PA19 Thomas Hylland Eriksen and Richard Jenkins (editors) 2007, ''Flag, Nation and Symbolism in Europe and America''], Routledge, {{ISBN|0-203-93496-2}} (pp. 19–20)</ref> The incident was documented as early as 1260.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

In fact, the [[Flags of the Holy Roman Empire|war flag of the Holy Roman Empire]] during the Crusades was a silver cross on a red field quite similar to the later Austrian arms. This sign was used by the Austrian capital [[Vienna]] from the late 13th century onwards.