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The House of Liechtenstein

© James Foster Robinson

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With the purchase of the two counties by the Liechtenstein Family, and the counties' elevation to an Imperial Principality, the modern history of the Principality of Liechtenstein begins. But where did the House of Liechtenstein come from. Who were their ancestors and how did they come to power. Their story begins in the 12th Century.

Some historians believe the family is descended from the Donauwörth family, who were landlords in Bavaria around that time. Others trace their descent from Hue von Liechtenstein who lived 1133-1156. Hue or Hugh took his name from the name "Liechtenstein" from Liechtenstein castle in Mödling, located in southern Austria. He is the first known bearer of the name. He and his descendants acquired estates near Stammburg and on the northeastern border of Lower Austria. The Liechtensteins are reckoned to be one of the oldest noble families in Austria and the old Habsburg Empire.

The family had divided into three different lines in the 13th Century. The Rohrauer and the Petroneller branches became extinct in the next generation and a part of the family property was forfeited. The Liechtensteins then split into two branches, one of which, from Styria, died out in 1619. Its most famous member was Ulrich Von Liechtenstein (1200-1276) who was a famous Minnesinger or lyric poet.

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The present reigning Prince is directly descended Heinrich I of Liechtenstein who died 1265/66. Heunrich, from the von Liechtenstein-Nikolsburgs, had acquired the Lordship of Nikolsburg in South Moravia as free property. This set the stage for the further enhancement of the family fortunes as they came under political influence of the Wenzel crown. Heinrich I gained renown when nhe defeated the pagan Prussians and Hungarians in battle. Heinrich II's support of Rudolf of Hapsburg in the battle of Durnkrut against King Ottokar of Bohemia in 1278, help lay the foundation of the Hapsburg empire. The Liechtensteins, as reward for their loyalty and support of the house of Hapburg, received many honors and more property in Bohemia and Moravia.

The family's good fortune did not last. In the 14th Cenutry Johann I of Liechtenstein had let the government of Duke Albrecht III of Habsburg for nearly 30 years. Then in 1394 as a result of internal politics, he lost his family and possessions, in particular the lands south of the Danube River. For decades after, his descendants slaved to increase their holding and regain their influence at court. They obtained more land in Lower Austria and South Moravia.