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Wurzer (von Wurz) coat of arms in Siebmacher's Wappenbuch[1]


Wurzer is the name of an old Upper Palatinate noble family. The family belonged to the uradel in the Nordgau and first appeared as reichministeriales (imperial servants) of the Holy Roman Emperor. Later, in the 13th century, they served as ministeriales of the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg[2]: 14 .

History

Origin and variants of the name

Donaustauf Castle (1644 copperplate)
Ruins of Donaustauf Castle

The eponymous ancestral seat of the family was Wurz near Neustadt an der Waldnaab, after which the family styled itself "Wurzer von Wurz". Little is known about the early history of the von Wurz family (Siebmacher's Wappenbuch, "a little known family"[1]). According to local chronicler Christoph Schulze, Wurz is first mentioned as the fortified settlement Wrzaha in an imperial document in 1069 AD. In this document, King Heinrich IV hands over the praedium of Wrzaha, in his margraviate in the Nortgowe district (Nordgau), to Bishop Hermann of Bamberg and his church[3]. While there are no remnants of the medieval fortification, there exists a ring-shaped structure on a hill east of Wurz, called the Loherl, that may have been part of the original Celtic oppidum upon which the later foritification may have been built[2]: 17 . The name Wrzaha is believed to be derived from the ministeriale family Drozza (Babenberg), which is mentioned in the Lex Baiuvariorum in the 8th century[2]: 21 .

The spelling of the name changes from de Wourz, de Wrtz, de Wurz, von Wurz, von Wurtz, Wurtzer, Wurczer, der Wurzer, Wurzer. As is customary with nobiliary particles the initial use of de (Latin) or von (German) preceded the name of the place of origin (von Wurz). Later as the ancestral name became fixed (Wurzer), and as family members began to move away from Wurz, it was followed by the place of residence (i.e. Wurzer zu Kaimling, Wurzer zu Kemaden, Wurzer zu Ruprechtsreut, Wurzer zum Stornstein).

Imperial connections

The von Wurz family appears to have had an immediate relationship to the Empire as seen in the fact that the emperor himself sealed the document transferring what was once the allodium of the von Wurz family into the possession of the bishop of Bamberg. One of the earliest references to specific members of the family is 'Cunradus de Wourz' in 1219[4]. He and his relatives are mentioned in a lawsuit brought against him by Abbot Hermann of the Waldsassen Monastery. Once again, a member of the imperial court intercedes personally, as King Friedrich II rules in favor of the monastery and forbids the von Wurz family from attacking the people of the monastery by judicial duel (gerichtszweikampf).

In service of the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg

It is difficult to ascertain whether it was due to a weakening stance with the Empire or the imperial preference for the monasteries, but regardless of the reason, it is clear that the von Wurz family began to distance themselves from the Empire and more closely associate themselves with the regional power structures, namely the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg. In 1252, Heinricus et Conradus de Wrz are listed as witnesses for Friedrich and Gebhart, the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg, at Falkenberg Castle. The service to the landgraves soon became a family affair, as it can be seen that in addition to Heinricus and Conradus, now Gotfridus de Wurz is listed as a witness for the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg on numerous occasions:

  • 1275: Gotfridus de Wurz is listed as a witness in an arbitration between the Landgrave Gebhard's servant Heinrich von Trautenberg and the Waldsassen Abbey[5]: 109 .
  • 1277: Gotfridus de Wurz is listed as a witness for Gebhard, Landgrave of Leuchtenberg, in a property sale between Gottfried vom Teich and the Waldsassen Abbey. In this instance, Gotfridus is listed as milites or knight[5]: 117 .
  • 1279: Gotfridus de Wurze is listed as a witness for Friedrich and Gebhard, Landgraves of Leuchtenberg as they transfer several properties as a gift from Ulrich von Pfrimbt to the Waldsassen Abbey[5]: 118 .
  • 1279: Gotfrid von Wurz is listed a second time as miles with Gebhard and Friedrich, Langraves of Leuchtenberg, but this time Gotfrid's two sons are present, Albert and Gotfrid[5]: 122 .
  • 1283: Gotfridus von Wurz is listed as a witness for Heinrich, Landgrave of Leuchtenberg, as he transfers fiefs to Bishop Reimboto von Eystetten. In this document Gotfrid is listed along with several members of the Teutonic Order: Brother Hermannus, Brother Heinricus, Brother Franko, Brother H. de Monecheruthe, Brother Chunradus de Plawe, Brother Albertus Heckil.[5]: 130 .
  • 1291: Gottfried von Wurz is listed as a witness for Gebhard, Landgrave of Leuchtenberg, as he pledges Falkenberg Castle to the Waldsassen Abbey[5]: 159 .

Lastly, Gottfried von Wurz is listed as a witness in a 13th-century charter for Ronung von Cammerstein as he gives property to the St. Katharinen Hospital.[citation needed] On March 14th, 1347, the Wurzers are listed in a dispute with the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg over fishing waters. In this same document, the Wurzers are also seen to be in a disagreement with the Steiners, and are ordered to resolve the issue in front of their officials or whomever they choose to do so. [citation needed]

At the apex of the influence of the von Wurz family, Lewe der Wurzer states in a document that his dwelling in Hag, which he received as a fief, is an open house for Ulrich and Johann, Landgraves of Leuchtenberg. In 1360, in Nuremberg, Emperor Charles IV as King of Bohemia, on behalf of Ulrich Drezwitzer, gives Leben Wurzer and the heirs of Ulrich's daughter, the wilderness of Albern as a fief[6]. Additionally, Leo Wurzer is listed in the following documents:

  • 1364: Leo (Wurzer) is listed as the Vicar of St. Johann in Regensburg and the Supreme Brotherhood Master (Teutonic Order) in a document along with other members of the Teutonic Order[7]. Leo was also a member of the Cathedral Chapter of St. Emmeram in Regensburg.
  • 1366: Lebe von Stornstein (Wurzer) is listed as a witness for Hanyk von Knoblauchsdorf, Supreme Captain of the Holy Roman Emperor, in a dispute between the villagers of Etzreut and the Waldsassen Monastery[8].
  • 1372: Lew der Wurzer is listed as the pfleger (caretaker) of Donaustauf Castle and a witness of a property sale between Chonrat der Chrn zu Tomstauff (Donaustauf) and Hartwig den Fischer Burger.
  • 1373: Leben den Wurzer is listed as a witness for Konrad der Prukker von Schwabelweis, as he announces that he has been awarded with the wine office by Abbot Alto zu St. Emmeram[8].
  • 1380: Leo v. W. listed as a witness in Rothenburg (Weissbecker)[9].

The following are related lineages of the von Wurz family who maintained residency away from Wurz:

Stornstein Line

  • 1240: Reinhardus de Wrtze is listed in the Urbarium Vicedominatus Lengenuelt as having purchased several fields and an estate in Sitzmannsdorf and a mill-house below the Stornstein Castle[10].
  • 1368: Ulrich Wurtzer is listed in the Bohemian Salbuch (urbarium) as having properties in Horungsberg, Rathawe and Eschenbach. In the this urbarium, Ulrich Wurtzer is listed in association with the Stornstein castle along with three other nobles listed as castle guardians (burghüter): Ulrich Jacob, the Pleysteiner and the Eppenreuter. In the fief book 'Das altest Leuchtenberg Lehenbuch', a Wurczer zum Storstein (Stornstein) is listed as one of the "hereditary knights and servants" of the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg, presumably referring to Ulrich Wurtzer.[11]

Rupprechtsreut Line

  • Late-1300s: According to 'Die alteren Mendel von Steinfels', Hans von Wurtz zu Ruprechtsreut, son of Leo Wurzer von Wurz, sold the Hammer Steinfels in 1415 to Hans Mendel. In 1429, Hans Mendel gave the Hammer Steinfels to his son Erhard Mendel. Hans Wurtz's daughter, Utta Wurzer von Wurz, married the knight Erhard Mendel. In addition to the Hammer Steinfels, Erhard received the Forsthube of Ruprechtsreut and the Lintach from his father-in-law, Hans Wurtz. Hans Wurtz is listed as the last of his lineage and is granted permission by Emperor Friedrich III in 1444 to transfer his coat of arms to his grandsons, Hans and Wilhelm Mendel. On June 7, 1454, Hans Wurtz’s son-in-law Erhard Mendel was accepted by the emperor to compete in the tournament and given the title "Mendel von Steinfels". Knight Erhard Mendel von Steinfels would go on to have another son, Christoph, who would become the Bishop of Chiemsee.[12][13]
  • 1500s: Hans Wurzer zu Rupersreuth, a descendant of Hans von Wurz zu Ruprechtsreut is listed in the following report of the Hofgericht and Parkstein Lorship: "Every two months you may have a district court in Parkstein that has a district judge of lordship, with the following noblemen in the lordship sitting together, these are the following lords, Georg Zenger zu Rothenstadt, Otto Schongraser zu Mospurg, Hans Rackendorfer zu Ullersreut, Hans Wurzer zu Rupprechtsreut, Konrad Erbeck zu Parckstein, Hans Gleissenthaler zu Teltsch, Ulrich Gleissenthaler Burghutter, Hans Lamprecht zu Kalmreut und zu Mairhof and Hans Eteldorfer zum Parkstein, all nine are of the nobility”.[12][13]
Coat of arms of the Teutonic Knights

Kemnath Line

  • 1373: Hans der Chemnater (Wurzer) is listed as having sealed a document as the judge in the Vorstadt of Regensburg.[7]
  • 1374: Hans Wurzzer zu Kemaden is listed as a witness and guarantor in a land sale between Katharina Pernsteiner and Fritz von Redwitz.[14]
  • 1377: Hans des Chemenatars (Wurzer) is listed as part of a lawsuit between himself and Cholhoch den Hofar, Hans des Drubenpechks von Nittenenau and Diethochs des Hofar vom Drachenstein. [7]
  • 1381: Chunrat der Chemnatar (Wurzer), as the pfleger of Rietenburch, seals a document in which Chunrat der Holzhawsar von Ottling and Fridrich Mawrar sell their property of Vorchhaim to the municipality of Honhaim.[7]

Kaimling Line

  • 1386: Konrad der Wurzer zu Kaimling seals a document for Colonel Gorzen, der Waldauer zu Waldau, his brother Heinrich der Waldauer zu Waldau and Heinrich der Trenk.
  • 1396: Konrad der Wurzer zu Kaimling is listed as declaring his last will and testament before pastors Hanns Redwizer u Aydldorf and Hanns zu Kozendorf, the Leuchtenberg judge Hanns den Kozenn, and Otten Engelshofer. In his will, he states that his landlady and his children should stay together as long as they want, but if his landlady doesn't want to stay with the children, then his children should give her 200 guilders and half of the household effects. If she prefers to stay with the children she should receive 100 guilders. His daughter, the Waldauer, is to give him a proper burial, as befits his rank. His son is to receive the fiefdom, i.e. the entire inheritance. In his will, Konrad provides a list of succession. In the event of his son's death, his sister, the Drezwitzer, is to inherit the property. Should his sister die, Hanslein der Wurzer von Wurz should inherit the property. The fiefs that Konrad has from the Waldau family are to be given to his cousin Hansen Seybotz's son Hanslein. Then a pound pfennig is to be donated to his estate in Trauschendorf near Roggenstein for a “perpetual anniversary". As were Gotfrid and Leo before him, Konrad was also associated with the Teutonic Order[13].

Conclusion

The 14th and 15th centuries were a time of turmoil for the lower nobility. With advent of the use of gunpowder, pikesmen and professional armies in Europe, the fallout from the Black Death, the Great Famine of 1315-1317 and the subsequent rise of the merchant class, many of the medieval knightly families struggled to maintain their wealth and position. The main lineage of the Wurzer family died out with Hans von Wurtz zu Ruprechtsreut, and at the same time other family lines began to experience financial and legal difficulties:

  • In a document dated January 1st, 1413, it states in a letter that Hanns der Wurzer, son of Peter des Wurzer von Chraiezpach, was being imprisoned at Kollnburg castle, because he had beaten and threatened Konrad den Nusperger zu Kolmberg. In this letter, he also states that because of his imprisonment his friends and his father were speaking for him and that he had lost all of his possessions.
  • In a document dated February 6th, 1414, it states that Ulrich Cleistentaler zu Dietersdorf relieves Johann, the Landgrave of Leuchtenberg, Count zu Hals and his cousins Leutpold and Georg, the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg of all of the mortgages that the Landgrave Johann held when he died. Due to the fact that Landgrave Albrecht died, and his cousin Landgrave Ulrich died, Landgraves Johann and Leutpold were obliged to repay these debts. However, Ulrich Cleistentaler declared that all of the promissory notes were invalid, with the exception of the debt notes that he had from the Landgrave for Konrad zu Weissenstein Nothaft, Hans Ramsperger zu Waldmunchen and Hans den Wurzer.

From the 16th century onward, members of the Wurzer family became incorporated into the bourgeoisie and according to the Häuserbücher (House books) of Helmut Reis could be found living in the villages in and around Wurz and Leuchtenberg.[15] Modern descendants of the Wurzer family have been able to make direct genealogical connections to the Wurzers living in these villages between the 1500s-1800s via the baptismal records of the Bistum Regensburg Bischofliches Zentralarchiv.

Coat of arms

  • Coat of arms: Three (2/1) black 'uttenschwalbe' (possibly a cormorant or stork) charges in silver. Helmet: expanding black 'uttenschwalbe' with outspread wings. Markings: black, silver[1]. In September 9, 1444, the Wurzer coat of arms is described as follows: "...having a white shield and in it 3 black uttenschwalbe charges, red beak...and a helmet, adorned with a white and black lambrequin and from it a black uttenschwalbe charge between 2 black wings with a red beak..."[12].
  • The Wurzer coat of arms was later incorporated into the coat of arms of the Mendel von Steinfels family. In a document from Emperor Maximilian I, dated March 29, 1506 in Neustadt, it states that the last von Wurtz "with the permission of our dear lord and father, the Roman Emperor, while his dearest was still Roman king (i.e. before 1452) yields his hereditary coat of arms, also all of his belongings, fiefs and property on the sons of his daughter, Hans and Wilhelm Mendel von Steinfels[1]." "His dearest" refers to King Friedrich III. The "last von Wurtz" refers to Hans von Wurz zu Ruprechtsreut. His daughter is Utta Wurzer von Wurz, wife of Knight Erhard Mendel von Steinfels, and mother of Hans and Wilhelm Mendel von Steinfels.
  • Wax Seal, Leo Wurtzer[16]
    Wax Seal, Leo Wurtzer[16]
  • Stone memorial at Wurz
    Stone memorial at Wurz
  • Wurzer coat of arms combined with that of Mendel v. Steinfels
    Wurzer coat of arms combined with that of Mendel v. Steinfels

Possessions (fiefs)

Schönficht Castle site[18]
Falkenberg Castle

Fiefs listed in the Monumenta Boica: Urbarium Vicedominatus Lengenuelt[19]:

  • Sitzmannsdorf (fields, a court) and a mill below the castle, presumably Stornstein (Reinhardus de Wrtz, 1240)

Fiefs listed in the Bohmische Salbuchlein[20]:

  • Iron hammer mill at Hammerharlesberg (Ulrich Wurtzer, 1368)
  • Roschau, a wilderness farm (hofe) (Ulrich Wurtzer, 1368)
  • Eschenbach, 20 acht habern, 21 morning fields, 5 tagwerch wisma (Ulrich Wurtzer, 1368)

Fiefs listed in The Oldest Leuchtenberger Fiefbook[21]:

  • Wurz near Neustadt an der Waldnaab (Wurczer, forename missing. Possibly Hans von Wurz zu Ruprechtsreut)
  • Haag (unknown), possibly between Creussen and Bayreuth (Wurczer, forename missing. Possibly Hans von Wurz zu Ruprechtsreut)
  • Harbe, a wilderness (Wurczer, forename missing. Possibly Hans von Wurz zu Ruprechtsreut)
  • Mitteldorf near Wurz (Leo Wurczer)
  • Rotzendorf near Wurz (Leo Wurczer)
  • Gossenreuth near Wildenreuth (Leo Wurczer)
  • Feretrichsenreut (unknown) (Leo Wurczer)
  • Galprechtsholz near Schonficht (Leo Wurczer)
  • Castle hut (burghut) in Stornstein (Wurczer zum Stornstein, forename missing. Possibly Ulrich Wurtzer)
  • Kaimling near Vohenstrauss (Chunrad Wurczer)
  • Maisthof near Luhe (Hanns Wurczer)
  • Goldbrunn near Waldthurn (Hanns Wurczer)

Prominent members of the family

Notable associates

Waldsassen Monastery

The Wurzers are directly related to the following noble families: Drezwitzer, Waldau, Mendel von Steinfels.

The following are other members of the nobility that are listed in documents as witnesses along with members of the Wurzer family:

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Großes und allgemeines Wappenbuch. Bauer & Raspe.
  2. ^ a b c Schulze, Christoph (1988). Wrzaha Wurz in der nordlichen Oberpfalz (in German). Christoph Schulze.
  3. ^ Bohmer, Johann Friedrich (2016). Regesta Imperii III. Salisches Haus 1024-1125. Tl. 2: 1056-1125. 3. Abt.: Die Regesten des Kaiserreichs unter Heinrich IV. 1056 (1050) - 1106 (in German). Bohlau Verlag. p. 82. ISBN 978-3412505974.
  4. ^ 'Regesta imperii. 5,1,1: Die Regesten des Kaiserreichs unter Philipp, Otto IV., Friedrich II., Heinrich (VII.), Conrad IV., Heinrich Raspe, Wilhelm und Richard 1198 - 1272 ; 1, Kaiser und Könige ; [1]', Image 1 of 751 | MDZ (digitale-sammlungen.de)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Gradl, Heinrich (1886). Monumenta Egrana: Denkmäler des Egerlandes als Quellen für dessen Geschichte. 805 - 1322. 1 (in German). Witz.
  6. ^ Kaiser, Reinhold (1995-08-01). "J. F. Böhmer, Regesta Imperii I. Die Regesten des Kaiserreichs unter den Karolingern 751–918 (926). Abt. 3: Die Regesten des Regnum Italiae und der burgundischen Regna. Teil 1 : Die Karolinger im Regnum Italiae 840–887 (888), bearb. von Herbert Zielinski". Zeitschrift der Savigny-Stiftung für Rechtsgeschichte: Germanistische Abteilung. 112 (1): 493–494. doi:10.7767/zrgga.1995.112.1.493. ISSN 2304-4861. S2CID 163731998.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Die Urkunden-Regesten des Kollegiatstiftes U. L. Frau zur alten Kapelle in Regensburg (heimatforschung-regensburg.de)
  8. ^ a b "Charter DE-StAAm|Waldsassen|447 - Monasterium.net". www.monasterium.net. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  9. ^ "Verhandlungen des Historischen Vereins für Oberpfalz und Regensburg 33. Band (1878) - heimatforschung-regensburg.de". www.heimatforschung-regensburg.de. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  10. ^ "'Monumenta Boica. 36,1, Urbarium ducatus Baiuwariae antiquissimum ex anno 1240 c. Urbarium ducatus Baiuwariae posterius ex anno 1280 circ. Urbarium vicedominatus Lengenuelt. 1326' - Viewer | MDZ". www.digitale-sammlungen.de. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  11. ^ a b "Das "Böhmische Salbüchlein" Kaiser Karls IV. über die nördliche Oberpfalz (1973) - Bayerische Staatsbibliothek". www.osmikon.de. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  12. ^ a b c d 1223758_DTL2337.pdf (heimatforschung-regensburg.de)
  13. ^ a b c Wurzer, Josef (2010). Ein tausendjahriges Geschlecht das der Wurzer (in German). Bad Reichenhall: Josef Wurzer.
  14. ^ "Verhandlungen des Historischen Vereins für Oberpfalz und Regensburg 33. Band (1878) - heimatforschung-regensburg.de". www.heimatforschung-regensburg.de. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  15. ^ "Häuserbücher von Helmut Reis – GenWiki". wiki-de.genealogy.net. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  16. ^ "Charter DE-BayHStA|KURegensburgStEmmeram|000653 - Monasterium.net". www.monasterium.net. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  17. ^ Burgstall Schönficht – Wikipedia
  18. ^ "Burgstall Schönficht", Wikipedia (in German), 2021-10-23, retrieved 2022-03-28
  19. ^ "'Monumenta Boica. 36,1, Urbarium ducatus Baiuwariae antiquissimum ex anno 1240 c. Urbarium ducatus Baiuwariae posterius ex anno 1280 circ. Urbarium vicedominatus Lengenuelt. 1326' - Viewer | MDZ". www.digitale-sammlungen.de. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  20. ^ Das "Böhmische Salbüchlein" Kaiser Karls IV. über die nördliche Oberpfalz - BSB-Katalog (bsb-muenchen.de)
  21. ^ a b c d e 1347451_DTL2112.pdf (heimatforschung-regensburg.de)
  22. ^ "'Regesta imperii. 5,1,1, Die Regesten des Kaiserreichs unter Philipp, Otto IV., Friedrich II., Heinrich (VII.), Conrad IV., Heinrich Raspe, Wilhelm und Richard 1198 - 1272 ; 1, Kaiser und Könige ; [1]' - Viewer | MDZ". www.digitale-sammlungen.de. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  23. ^ Gradl, Heinrich (1886). Das Egerland: Heimatskunde des Ober-Eger-gebietes (in German). A.E. Witz.
  24. ^ "'Monumenta Boica. 36,1, Urbarium ducatus Baiuwariae antiquissimum ex anno 1240 c. Urbarium ducatus Baiuwariae posterius ex anno 1280 circ. Urbarium vicedominatus Lengenuelt. 1326' - Viewer | MDZ". www.digitale-sammlungen.de. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  25. ^ Gradl, Heinrich (1886). Das Egerland: Heimatskunde des Ober-Eger-gebietes (in German). A.E. Witz.
  26. ^ "'Regesta imperii. 8, Die Regesten des Kaiserreichs unter Kaiser Karl IV. 1346 - 1378' - Viewer | MDZ". www.digitale-sammlungen.de. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  27. ^ "Verhandlungen des Historischen Vereins für Oberpfalz und Regensburg 92. Band (1951) - heimatforschung-regensburg.de". www.heimatforschung-regensburg.de. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
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