House of Schwarzenberg

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Coat of arms of the Schwarzenberg.

Schwarzenberg ("ze Švarzenberka" in Czech) is the name of a Frankish and Bohemian aristocratic family which was first mentioned in 1172. A branch of the Seinsheim family (the non-Schwarzenberg portion later died out) created when Erkinger I of Seinshein acquired in 1405/21 the Frankish barony of Schwarzenberg, the castle Schwarzenberg and the title Baron of Schwarzenberg. At this time they also possessed some fiefdoms in Bohemia. In 1599 the Schwarzenbergs were elevated to Counts and in 1670 to Princes. The House of Schwarzenberg came into extensive land holdings in Bohemia in 1661 through a marriage alliance with the House of Eggenberg. In the 1670s they established their primary seat in Bohemia. Until 1918 their primary residence was in Český Krumlov, Bohemia (now in the Czech Republic).

The House of Schwarzenberg produced many exceptional military commanders, politicians, church dignitaries (including an Archbishop of Prague), innovators and patrons of the Arts. Their property in Bohemia included the Duchy of Krumlov (Krumau or Krummau in German), Prachatice and Orlík belonged. They also acquired property of the Rosenberger Family (Rožmberk in Czech). They created ponds, planted forests and introduced new technologies in agriculture. They were related to a number of European aristocratic families, notably to the Lobkowicz family.

The famous General and Field Marshal, Prince Karl Philipp I of Schwarzenberg, was from this illustrious family.

The Schwarzenberg holding included the following castles:

Krumlov Castle (in Český Krumlov, Czech Republic, held by the Schwarzenberg's from 1719 to 1947)
Hluboká Castle (called Schloss Frauenberg in German, in Hluboká nad Vltavou, Czech Republic)
Vimperk Castle (Vimperk / Winterberg, Czech Republic)

In the 18th century the House of Schwarzenberg was divided into two titled lines. One line died out in 1965 with Heinrich Schwarzenberg, the 11th Prince of Schwarzenberg. The second line was established with Prince Karl I of Schwarzenberg in Austria (Murau and Vienna). Today the two lines are united under the current head of the house Prince Karl VII of Schwarzenberg who is foreign minister in the new Czech cabinet.

1 Lords of Schwarzenberg
2 External links

[edit] Lords of Schwarzenberg

[edit] Barons of Schwarzenberg

1420-1437 Erkinger I von Seinsheim
1437-1469 Michael II
1469-1499 Michael III
1499-1510 Erkinger II
1510-1526 Wilhelm I
1526-1557 Wilhelm II
1557-1599 Baron Adolf Schwarzenbergg

[edit] Counts of Schwarzenberg

1599: Elevation to Count

1599-1600 Count Adolf von Schwarzenberg (the same Adolf who was Baron from 1557 - 1599)
1600-1641 Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
1641-1670 Count Johann Adolf von Schwarzenberg