Rudolf von Habsburg

Rudolf von Habsburg, by Karl-Friedrich Krieger (Darmstadt: Primus Verlag, 2003; pp. 294. Eur 29.90).

With this book Karl-Friedrich Krieger presents the first scholarly biography of Rudolph of Habsburg since the magisterial study by Oswald Redlich published in 1903. The merits of his book are many, its shortcomings few. Everyone with even a passing interest in the history of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire must be grateful to Professor Krieger for his courage in attempting a survey of a century of research. His task is not made any easier by the fact that there is, for instance, no MGH edition of Rudolf's charters and acta, and that many of the narrative sources he needs to draw on are in urgent need of new, critical editions. The overall structure of the book is largely chronological, with a particular emphasis—nearly half the book—on Rudolf's career prior to his election as king, and on the years up to 1278, when Rudolf finally overcame his chief rival, King Ottokar of Bohemia. This narrative is complemented by two thematic chapters, concerned respectively with the internal structure and organisation of Rudolf's regime, and with the wider European background to his reign. There are some omissions: one could have wished for a more in-depth reflection, for instance, on the work of František Graus. Similarly, a more detailed analysis of the role self-representation and propaganda played in establishing and maintaining Rudolf's kingship would have been welcome, or a discussion of how the myth of King Rudolf began to develop in the fourteenth century. Equally, more could have been said about where exactly Rudolf's governmental initiatives differed from those of his Staufen predecessors, or those of William of Holland and Richard of Cornwall. At the same time, it would be unfair to fault the author alone for what seems to have been—in part at least—the publisher's decision: the preface does mention that the manuscript had to be cut for publication. Nor should these criticisms be read as overshadowing the many strengths of this book: it provides the best and most up to date introduction both to the life and career of Rudolf of Habsburg, and to the history of Germany in the second half of the thirteenth century; it presents a judicious and comprehensive overview of current research; and where Krieger does engage in more detail with historiographical debates, as for instance when considering the question to what extent Rudolf might be described as one of the ‘little kings’ of contemporary Europe, his balanced and level-headed approach makes one wish he had been able to write the book he had intended to write. On balance, therefore, this book offers an intelligent, thoughtful and perceptive introduction to its subject, and it will be an indispensable starting point for anyone wishing to engage further with the reign and career of the first Habsburg king.