{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Early Habsburgs","title":"Ep. 204: Habsburg Dukes (1308-1437) – Rudolf IV, Founder and Forger - History of the Germans from the Middle Ages to Reunification","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1921,"description":"Rudolf IV of Habsburg (1339–1365), son of Albrecht “the Wise,” reigned as Duke of Austria for just seven years but left a lasting mark. Born when the dynasty seemed close to extinction, Rudolf secured Austria’s survival and prestige. Politically, he sought to elevate Vienna by founding the University of Vienna (1365) and beginning construction of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Though he fulfilled his father's ambition to gain the Tyrol, the family fell behind their rivals, namely the Luxemburgs.\nRudolf’s most audacious act was the Privilegium Maius, a set of forged charters claiming ancient Roman emperors had granted Austria near-sovereign status, primogeniture, and the unique title of Archduke. Though denounced by Petrarch as absurd, the documents shaped Habsburg identity for centuries and underpinned later power.\nBy creating myths of divine and heroic origins, Rudolf forged a sense of Habsburg exceptionalism. Though dying young without heirs, he truly was “the Founder.”\nThe music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.\nAs always:\nHomepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.com\nIf you wish to support the show go to: Support • History of the Germans Podcast\nFor do it yourself merchandise go to: Merchandise • History of the Germans Podcast\nFacebook: @HOTGPod \nThreads: @history_of_the_germans_podcast\nBluesky: @hotgpod.bsky.social\nInstagram: history_of_the_germans\nTwitter: @germanshistory\nTo make it easier for you to share the podcast, I have created separate playlists for some of the seasons that are set up as individual podcasts. they have the exact same episodes as in the History of the Germans, but they may be a helpful device for those who want to concentrate on only one season.\nSo far I have:\nThe Ottonians\nSalian Emperors and Investiture Controversy\nFredrick Barbarossa...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/K5ssYjFo_ppv8CxKlYFgSQPpu_Ye6hqe0bZT3IxjQjI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85NmMy/NmIyZTkyNzc2YWZk/YTllN2Q2Y2YyNjk2/NTk1Ny5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}