Elisabeth of Austria (c. 1285 – 19 May 1353), also known as Isabelle, was Duchess of Lorraine as the wife of Duke Frederick IV, and regent of Lorraine during the minority of their son Rudolph from 1329 until 1331. She was also a member of the House of Habsburg.

Life

Elisabeth was the tenth of twelve children to King Albert I of Habsburg and his wife Queen Elisabeth of Gorizia-Tyrol. She was the sister of King Rudolph I of Bohemia, King Frederick the Fair, Leopold I, Duke of Austria, Albert II, Duke of Austria, Otto, Duke of Austria, Agnes, Queen of Hungary and Anna, Margravine of Brandenburg.

Duchess of Lorraine

Elisabeth was betrothed at a young age to one of the sons of Philip IV of France, so her father could make stronger connections with France. On May 25, 1300, Elisabeth's eldest brother Rudolph I of Bohemia married Blanche of France, a daughter of Philip III. After this marriage, Elisabeth's betrothal to one of Philip's sons was scrapped. Elisabeth was instead married to Frederick IV, Duke of Lorraine. The contract was signed on 6 August 1306 and they married in 1307. From this marriage Elisabeth became Duchess of Lorraine and Frederick was able to support Elisabeth's brother Frederick the Fair, to become Holy Roman Emperor. Elisabeth's husband was captured at the Battle of Mühldorf, where he was fighting for Elisabeth's brother and was released by the King of France. Elisabeth became known as Isabelle in Lorraine.

Regency

Elisabeth outlived Frederick. Frederick left Lorriane to their young son Rudolph and Elisabeth became regent for her son. Her regency lasted from 1329 to 1331. Rudolph married aged only ten to Eleanor of Bar and made his father-in-law Edward I of Bar regent in place of Elisabeth. Elisabeth died in Nancy, capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, on 19 May 1353 and was buried in the cemetery of the Poor Clare monastery in Königsfelden in the County of Tyrol.

Children

Elisabeth and Frederick were married for twenty two years, in that time the couple had six children: Many of the couple's children died during childhood, only Rudolph and Margaret lived to adulthood.

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