[3] In contravention of the provisions of the Georgenberg Pact, the Babenberg reign was divided after the death of Leopold V: Leopold VI's elder brother, Frederick I, was given the Duchy of Austria (corresponding roughly to modern Lower Austria and eastern Upper Austria), while Leopold VI himself became Duke of Styria.

The duchies were reunified under Leopold VI when Frederick died after only four years of rule.

His most important foundation is Lilienfeld in the Lower Austrian valley of the Traisen River, where he was buried after his death.

Under Leopold's rule, the Gothic style began to reach Austria - the Cappella Speciosa in his temporary residence of Klosterneuburg is known as the first building influenced by it in the Danube area - a reconstruction of it can be seen today in the palace gardens of Laxenburg.

Evidence of this is given by his marriage to the Byzantine princess Theodora Angelina[2] and his attempt to end the War of the Keys by mediating between Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and Pope Gregory IX.