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Medieval Rulers of Liechtenstein

© James Foster Robinson

After 843 AD the valley that was to become Liechtenstein was owned by a succession of different medieval rulers. After the surrounding region became an earldom under Charlemagne, it was continually divided up among his descendants. It can be a bit confusing as the area was divided, then subdivided and then changed owners all most on whim. Our knowledge about that era is like a puzzle with a few pieces missing. Lets see if we can put most of the puzzle together.

When the last Carolinian emperor died in 911 AD, Retia and Swabis were joined to form the Alemanic Duchy of Chur-Rhaetia. In 1079, the Duchy of Swabia, owned by the house of Hohenstauffen, absorbed the old Chur-Rhaetia Duchy.

In the 12th century, Count Hugo of Montfort succeeded the Counts of Bregenz. As well as the country of Monfort, centered in Feldkirch, he also owned the counties of Werdenberg and Sargans, which included the Liechtenstein valley. Rudolph I inherited Werdenburg and Sargans from his father, Hugo and called himself the Count of Werdenberg.

The keep and the buildings on the east side Vaduz Castle were constructed in the 12th century. The tower is approximately 36 ft. by 39 ft. The ground floor walls are 12 ft. thick in places. An old entrance 33-ft. high was originally on the courtyard side of the sturcture.

Before 1194 the Knights of Limpach owned Bendern and other estates on the Escherberg when Rudiger von Limpach bequeathed them to the Church of St. Lugi at Chur.

Years before the Bishops of Chur gained land and influence in the region. In the beginning of the 13th century their power began to diminished. The land that was to become the present principality came under the rule of the Counts of Bregenz in Lower Raetia around 1208.

Also during the 13th century, Hans Varnbueler of Greiffenberg and Gutenberg lived in Gutenberg, the castle at present day Balzars. Around 1250 AD, Schellenberg was acquired by the Barons of Schelleberg.

With the passing of the house of Hohenstauffen in 1268 AD, the Duchy of Swabia disintegrated into small ecclestical and temporal lordships, among which were the County of Vaduz and the Lordship of Schellenberg.

Around 1300, the Barons of Frauenberg, of whom minnesinger Heinrich von Frauenberg was well-known lorded it at Gutenberg Castle in Balzers. Then in 1308, when the Emperor Albrecht von Aar was assassinated the Archdukes of Austria captured the Gutenberg. The owners, thought to be in on the plot were persecuted, and the castle was given to the masters of Ramschwag.

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