In 1272 Pope Gregory X ordered the German Electors to restore order and elect an Emperor. With the pope's approval they elected Rudolf von Habsburg, not because he was strong but exactly the opposite, as this would enable them to give or deny support at will. Rudolf was trying to quell a rebellion in Basel when the news of his election was brought to him by a Hohenzollern who was the first to pay homage to him as Emperor Elect. The Bishop of Basel, who had engineered the uprising, took fright and exclaimed: "Sit fast, Lord God, or Rudolf will also have Thy throne!"

Rudolf was fifty-five and had spent most of his years fighting bandits in an effort to restore peace in his territories. In these campaigns he was not only brave but also ingenious. Once while besieging a castle he realised that at regular times a party of foragers on grey horses would venture into the surrounding
countryside. He found about the same number of grey horses for some of his own men whom he dressed similarly and, at the appropriate time, had them approach the castle while being pursued by his soldiers. The guards of the castle, presuming them to be their own, opened the gate to them and were killed, so that Rudolf's army was able to enter and capture the castle.

Another contender for the Imperial crown had been King Ottokar Przemysl of Bohemia. Rich and powerful, he was not willing to accept Rudolf von Habsburg, and it was this resentment which forged Austria as the Habsburg stronghold. Ottokar Przemysl had obtained parts of Austria when the Babenbergs died out simply by moving in his soldiers. Rudolf brought his army to Vienna and, again realizing a lengthy seige could only harm both sides, asked the Viennese to open their gates for
their Emperor or else he would destroy their considerable vineyards. Vienna gave in as so apparently did Ottokar Przemysl, as he then allowed two of his children to be betrothed to two of Rudolf's. In 1278 Ottokar Przemysl arrived with a large army intending to re-take Vienna. Emperor Rudolf was outnumbered but he attacked first, making use of surprise. He shattered the Bohemians and Ottokar
Przemysl was killed. Now in his position as Emperor, he transferred the Austrian lands to his family. Having removed the Slavs from Austria, the Germans would from now on dominate the centre of Europe.
 

Source: Leo van de Pas