Margraviate of Austria (and Styria) map preview image - Das Heilige Römische Reich mod for Medieval II: Total War: Kingdoms

In Carolingian times and during the early Middle Ages, the core of territory that would become the Archduchy of Austria was known as marchia orientalis or "eastern march". Ethnic German migrants displaced earlier Slavic populations in the 9th and 10th centuries and, after the Battle of Lechfeld in 955, the area became one of the marches of the Holy Roman Empire and was given a margrave around 960. From 976, the territory was ruled by the Babenberg dynasty and it came to be known as Ostarrîchi ("Eastern Realm"), the linguistic ancestor of the German name for Austria, Österreich. With the Lay Investiture Controversy reaching its height, Austria has been dragged into it, as margrave Leopold von Babbenberg took the side with the Pope against the Holy Roman King.

Through actions of defiance against the holy roman king, margraviate of Austria may assert more independence within the empire, should the counter king win. During the civil war, the Babenbergs also need use the opportunity secure their position in the east of the Empire, as both their neighbors, Přemyslid dynasty of Bohemia and von Eppenstein dynasty of Carinthia, have been growing in power immensely, while both also took the side with the holy roman king Henry Salian. Leopold may now be able to gain a significant victory in the south, as Ottakar von Trangau married into Babenberg family and controls margraviate of Styria. However, Styria is also claimed by Ottakar's brother Adalbert, supported by the Eppensteins Carinthia...