Von Galen
Encyclopedia
The Von Galen family is an old, noble
, Westphalian
family, historically Roman Catholic, from the County of Mark.
The earliest von Galens appeared in the twelfth century. Some branches of the family spread to East Prussia through the crusades and military expeditions of the Teutonic Order during the high and late Middle Ages. The German branches still in existence hold the titles of Freiherr
(baron
) and Graf
(count
).
German nobility
The German nobility was the elite hereditary ruling class or aristocratic class from ca. 500 B.C. to the Holy Roman Empire and what is now Germany.-Principles of German nobility:...
, Westphalian
Westphalia
Westphalia is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Arnsberg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Minden and Münster.Westphalia is roughly the region between the rivers Rhine and Weser, located north and south of the Ruhr River. No exact definition of borders can be given, because the name "Westphalia"...
family, historically Roman Catholic, from the County of Mark.
The earliest von Galens appeared in the twelfth century. Some branches of the family spread to East Prussia through the crusades and military expeditions of the Teutonic Order during the high and late Middle Ages. The German branches still in existence hold the titles of Freiherr
Freiherr
The German titles Freiherr and Freifrau and Freiin are titles of nobility, used preceding a person's given name or, after 1919, before the surname...
(baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
) and Graf
Graf
Graf is a historical German noble title equal in rank to a count or a British earl...
(count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
).
Famous Members
- Bernhard von GalenBernhard von GalenChristoph Bernhard Freiherr von Galen was prince-bishop of Münster. He was born into a noble Westphalian family....
, prince-bishop of Münster during the Counter-ReformationCounter-ReformationThe Counter-Reformation was the period of Catholic revival beginning with the Council of Trent and ending at the close of the Thirty Years' War, 1648 as a response to the Protestant Reformation.The Counter-Reformation was a comprehensive effort, composed of four major elements:#Ecclesiastical or...
. - Clemens August Graf von GalenClemens August Graf von GalenBlessed Clemens August Graf von Galen was a German count, Bishop of Münster, and Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church....
, who as bishop of Münster opposed the Nazis.