Isenburg-Grenzau
Encyclopedia
Isenburg-Grenzau was the name of several states of the Holy Roman Empire
, based around the Lordship of Grenzau, in modern Rhineland-Palatinate
, Germany
. The first state called Isenburg-Grenzau existed 1158–1290; the second 1341–1439; and the third 1502–1664.
In 1158, Count Gerlach I of Isenburg-Limburg-Covern died. His territories were divided between his heirs, Henry I of Isenburg-Grenzau and Gerlach II
of Isenburg-Covern
. In 1213 Henry I began the construction of Castle Grenzau, located on a mountain spur along the Rhine trade route from Leipzig
to Flanders
.
After Henry I's death in 1220, he was succeeded by his sons Henry II and Gerlach IV
. On May 22, 1258, they divided the realm into Isenburg-Grenzau (to Henry II) and Isenburg-Limburg
(to Gerlach IV).
In 1286 Henry II partitioned his territories between his sons, into the states of Isenburg-Grenzau (to Eberhard I), Isenburg-Cleberg (to Louis) and Isenburg-Arnfels
(to Gerlach
). Eberhard died in 1290 without any heirs, so Isenburg-Grenzau passed to his eldest surviving brother, Louis.
Isenburg-Cleberg was partitioned in 1341 between the sons of Lothar; with Isenburg-Grenzau passing to Philip I. Philip came into conflict with the expansionist prince-Archbishop Baldwin of Luxembourg of Trier
. In 1346 Baldwin expanded his power deep into the Westerwald
, and the following year Philip allied with Count Reinhard I of Westerburg
against him. It began the Grenzauer Feud which was only ended after the intervention of the Emperor. In 1361, Philip was forced to acknowledge the overlordship of the Archbishops shortly before his death. Philip's heirs were hardly notable, and died out in 1439. Their territories were inherited by Nassau-Beilstein, passed to the archbishops of Trier in 1446, and was finally purchased by the Counts of Lower Isenburg in 1460.
Lower Isenburg was partitioned in 1502, with Isenburg-Grenzau passing to Gerlach III. Gerlach's fame and respect, and by extension that of the House of Isenburg, had increased dramatically when he held the Emperor's banner at the Reichstag
at Worms
in 1495. Gerlach was succeeded by his son Henry the Elder in 1530. Two of Henry's sons, John
and Salentin
were sent into the church at a young age. John became the Archbishop of Trier in 1547, and Salentin the Archbishop of Cologne in 1567. Henry's other son, Anthony succeeded him in 1552. Anthony died two years later and John succeeded him. John was succeeded by his son Arnold. After Arnold died in 1577, Salentin left the church to take the countship.
Upon his departure from the office of Prince-elector and archbishop of Cologne, Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg was elected to fill the position; Gebhard's conversion to Protestantism in 1582, his marriage to Agnes of Mansfeld-Eisleben in 1583, and his refusal to give up the Electorate triggered a schism in the Cathedral chapter of Cologne. After the election of a competing archbishop, Ernst of Bavaria, supporters of the two men pursued a war, called the Cologne War
. Salentin participated in this conflict on the side of the Catholic faction of the Cathedral Chapter, and was instrumental in the destruction of Neuss
in 1586, in which over 3000 people of the city were killed, and the city itself destroyed.
In his capacity as Archbishop and Prince-Elector, Salentin had greatly improved conditions in Grenzau. Isenburg-Grenzau was made an Imperial Estate of the Holy Roman Empire with a seat in the Bench of Counts of the Wetterau. After Salentin's death in 1610, he was succeeded by his elder son Salentin VIII. Salentin died in 1619 and was succeeded by his younger brother Ernest. Ernest was, inter alia, a field captain of the Imperial army during the Thirty Years' War
, fighting predominantly in the Netherlands
. After Ernst's death in Brussels in 1664 at age 80 and without direct heirs, his territories were reclaimed as feudal tenures by the Archbishoprics of Cologne, Trier and Fulda. The core territories, including Isenburg, were granted by Fulda to the Counts of Walderdorff. They had to share them according to a later agreement with the Counts of Wied
, by then a cadet branch of the Isenburgs.
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, based around the Lordship of Grenzau, in modern Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of and about four million inhabitants. The capital is Mainz. English speakers also commonly refer to the state by its German name, Rheinland-Pfalz ....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The first state called Isenburg-Grenzau existed 1158–1290; the second 1341–1439; and the third 1502–1664.
Isenburg-Grenzau (1158–1290)
Gerlach II of Isenburg-Covern
Gerlach II of Isenburg-Covern was the Count of Isenburg-Covern from 1158 until 1217....
of Isenburg-Covern
Isenburg-Covern
Isenburg-Covern was the name of a state of the Holy Roman Empire, based around Kobern-Gondorf in modern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It was partitioned from Isenburg-Limburg-Covern in 1158. After the counts became extinct in 1306 it was annexed by Isenburg-Cleberg....
. In 1213 Henry I began the construction of Castle Grenzau, located on a mountain spur along the Rhine trade route from Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
to Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
.
After Henry I's death in 1220, he was succeeded by his sons Henry II and Gerlach IV
Gerlach IV of Isenburg-Limburg
Gerlach IV of Isenburg-Limburg , also known as Gerlach I of Limburg, was from 1258 Count of Limburg, ruling over the town of Limburg an der Lahn and some villages in its hinterlands...
. On May 22, 1258, they divided the realm into Isenburg-Grenzau (to Henry II) and Isenburg-Limburg
Isenburg-Limburg
The Countship of Isenburg-Limburg was a state of the Holy Roman Empire in the 13th and 14th centuries, based around the city of Limburg an der Lahn in modern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.-House of Limburg:...
(to Gerlach IV).
In 1286 Henry II partitioned his territories between his sons, into the states of Isenburg-Grenzau (to Eberhard I), Isenburg-Cleberg (to Louis) and Isenburg-Arnfels
Isenburg-Arnfels
Isenburg-Arnfels was the name of a state of the Holy Roman Empire, based around Bad Hönningen in modern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.Isenburg-Arnfels was created upon the partition in 1286 of the lands of Count Henry II between his sons, the youngest Gerlach receiving his territories in and around...
(to Gerlach
Gerlach I of Isenburg-Arnfels
Gerlach I of Isenburg-Arnfels was the Count of Isenburg-Arnfels from 1286 until 1303.Gerlach was the youngest son of Count Henry II of Isenburg-Grenzau. In 1286 he partitioned his lands between his sons, and Gerlach as the youngest received those around Bad Hönningen. He was succeeded by his son...
). Eberhard died in 1290 without any heirs, so Isenburg-Grenzau passed to his eldest surviving brother, Louis.
Name |
Reign |
|---|---|
| Henry I | 1158–1220 |
| Henry II | 1220–1286 |
| Eberhard I | 1286–1290 |
Isenburg-Grenzau (1341–1439)
Archbishopric of Trier
The Archbishopric of Trier was a Roman Catholic diocese in Germany, that existed from Carolingian times until the end of the Holy Roman Empire. Its suffragans were the dioceses of Metz, Toul and Verdun. Since the 9th century the Archbishops of Trier were simultaneously princes and since the 11th...
. In 1346 Baldwin expanded his power deep into the Westerwald
Westerwald
The Westerwald is a low mountain range on the right bank of the River Rhine in the German federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a part of the Rhine Massif...
, and the following year Philip allied with Count Reinhard I of Westerburg
Westerburg
Westerburg is a small town of roughly 6,000 inhabitants in the Westerwaldkreis in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The town is named after the castle built on a hill above the mediaeval town centre -Location:...
against him. It began the Grenzauer Feud which was only ended after the intervention of the Emperor. In 1361, Philip was forced to acknowledge the overlordship of the Archbishops shortly before his death. Philip's heirs were hardly notable, and died out in 1439. Their territories were inherited by Nassau-Beilstein, passed to the archbishops of Trier in 1446, and was finally purchased by the Counts of Lower Isenburg in 1460.
Name |
Reign |
|---|---|
| Philip I | 1341–1361 |
| Eberhard II | 1361–1399 |
| Philip II | 1399–1439 |
Isenburg-Grenzau (1502–1664)
Reichstag (Holy Roman Empire)
The Imperial Diet was the Diet, or general assembly, of the Imperial Estates of the Holy Roman Empire.During the period of the Empire, which lasted formally until 1806, the Diet was not a parliament in today's sense; instead, it was an assembly of the various estates of the realm...
at Worms
Worms, Germany
Worms is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on the Rhine River. At the end of 2004, it had 85,829 inhabitants.Established by the Celts, who called it Borbetomagus, Worms today remains embattled with the cities Trier and Cologne over the title of "Oldest City in Germany." Worms is the only...
in 1495. Gerlach was succeeded by his son Henry the Elder in 1530. Two of Henry's sons, John
John of Isenburg-Grenzau
John of Isenburg-Grenzau was the Count of Isenburg-Grenzau from 1554 until 1556, and the Archbishop-Elector of Trier from 1547 until 1556....
and Salentin
Salentin VII of Isenburg-Grenzau
Salentin IX of Isenburg-Grenzau was the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne as "Salentin of Isenburg" from 1567 until 1577, the Bishop of Paderborn from 1574 until 1577, and the Count of Isenburg-Grenzau from 1577 to 1610.-Early life:Salentin IX was the second son of Count Henry of Isenburg-Grenzau...
were sent into the church at a young age. John became the Archbishop of Trier in 1547, and Salentin the Archbishop of Cologne in 1567. Henry's other son, Anthony succeeded him in 1552. Anthony died two years later and John succeeded him. John was succeeded by his son Arnold. After Arnold died in 1577, Salentin left the church to take the countship.
Upon his departure from the office of Prince-elector and archbishop of Cologne, Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg was elected to fill the position; Gebhard's conversion to Protestantism in 1582, his marriage to Agnes of Mansfeld-Eisleben in 1583, and his refusal to give up the Electorate triggered a schism in the Cathedral chapter of Cologne. After the election of a competing archbishop, Ernst of Bavaria, supporters of the two men pursued a war, called the Cologne War
Cologne War
The Cologne War devastated the Electorate of Cologne, a historical ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire, present-day North-Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany...
. Salentin participated in this conflict on the side of the Catholic faction of the Cathedral Chapter, and was instrumental in the destruction of Neuss
Destruction of Neuss (July 1586)
The Destruction of Neuss occurred in July 1586, during the Cologne War. Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma's troops surrounded the city of Neuss, an important Protestant garrison in the Electorate of Cologne...
in 1586, in which over 3000 people of the city were killed, and the city itself destroyed.
In his capacity as Archbishop and Prince-Elector, Salentin had greatly improved conditions in Grenzau. Isenburg-Grenzau was made an Imperial Estate of the Holy Roman Empire with a seat in the Bench of Counts of the Wetterau. After Salentin's death in 1610, he was succeeded by his elder son Salentin VIII. Salentin died in 1619 and was succeeded by his younger brother Ernest. Ernest was, inter alia, a field captain of the Imperial army during the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
, fighting predominantly in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. After Ernst's death in Brussels in 1664 at age 80 and without direct heirs, his territories were reclaimed as feudal tenures by the Archbishoprics of Cologne, Trier and Fulda. The core territories, including Isenburg, were granted by Fulda to the Counts of Walderdorff. They had to share them according to a later agreement with the Counts of Wied
Wied
Wied was a County of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, located on the river Wied where it meets the Rhine. Wied emerged as a County earlier than many other German states. From 1243–1462, Wied was united with an Isenburgian County as Isenburg-Wied. Wied was partitioned twice: between itself and...
, by then a cadet branch of the Isenburgs.
Name |
Reign |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gerlach III | 1502–1530 | |
| Henry the Elder | 1530–1552 | |
| Anthony | 1552–1554 | |
| John John of Isenburg-Grenzau John of Isenburg-Grenzau was the Count of Isenburg-Grenzau from 1554 until 1556, and the Archbishop-Elector of Trier from 1547 until 1556.... |
1554–1556 | Archbishop of Trier Archbishopric of Trier The Archbishopric of Trier was a Roman Catholic diocese in Germany, that existed from Carolingian times until the end of the Holy Roman Empire. Its suffragans were the dioceses of Metz, Toul and Verdun. Since the 9th century the Archbishops of Trier were simultaneously princes and since the 11th... |
| Arnold | 1556–1577 | |
| Salentin VII Salentin VII of Isenburg-Grenzau Salentin IX of Isenburg-Grenzau was the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne as "Salentin of Isenburg" from 1567 until 1577, the Bishop of Paderborn from 1574 until 1577, and the Count of Isenburg-Grenzau from 1577 to 1610.-Early life:Salentin IX was the second son of Count Henry of Isenburg-Grenzau... |
1577–1610 | Archbishop of Cologne Archbishopric of Cologne The Electorate of Cologne was an ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire and existed from the 10th to the early 19th century. It consisted of the temporal possessions of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cologne . It was ruled by the Archbishop in his function as prince-elector of... ; Bishop of Paderborn Bishopric of Paderborn The Archdiocese of Paderborn is an Archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Germany; its seat is Paderborn. It was a diocese from its foundation in 799 until 1802, and again from 1821 until 1930. In 1930, it was promoted to an archdiocese... |
| Salentin VIII | 1610–1619 | |
| Ernest | 1619–1664 | |