Ernst I "the Iron", Duke of
Austria & Steiermark (1377-1424)
Born 1377 Bruck an der Mur
Died 10 June 1424 Bruck an der Mur
Married (1) 14 January 1392 * Bruck an der Mur
Margarete von Pommern, daughter of Bogislaw V, Duke von
Pommern-Wolgast and Adelheid of Brunswick-Osterode
Born circa 1366
Died 30 April 1407 or 12 June 1410 Bruck a.d. Mur
Buried Rain nr Graz
Married (2) February 1412 Krakau
Zimburg of Masovia, daughter of Ziemowit IV, Duke of
Masovia and Alexandra of Lithuania
Born circa 1394 /1397
Died 28 September 1429 Tuernitz
Buried Stiftskirche, Lilienfeld
He belonged to the junior branch of the Habsburgs. At about 14 years
of age he was married to Margaretha of Pommern who, after a childless marriage,
died in 1407. In an age of arranged marriages, Ernst, so tough that he
was known as the "Iron Duke", fell passionately in love with his second
wife,
the Polish Zimburg of Masovia, whom he married, aged about 35, in 1412
when she was between 15 and 18 years of age. Zimburg was so strong she
could hammer a nail into a board with her bare hands.
The deformity of the lower jaw and lip, known as "the Habsburg Jaw",
had been introduced into the family by the apparently indestructible genes
of Zimburg of Masovia, who nothwithstanding was
said to be a great beauty.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
