A comital house on the western edge of the Steigerwald, between the Main at Kitzingen and the Würzburg-Bamberg road.
The counts hold the castle of Castell, a cluster of villages below it, the escort rights (Geleit) on the road from Kitzingen and on the Würzburg-Bamberg road, and their own ministerial knights (the Wiesenbronn family is the oldest). Since 1168 they have been the hereditary cupbearers of the bishops of Würzburg.
Who he is
- Name
- Rupert (I) of Castell
- Title
- Count of Castell; hereditary cupbearer (Erbschenk) of the see of Würzburg
- Since
- about 1190
- Born
- not pinned
- Family
- The house of Castell, named 'de Castello' from 1091. Rupert I rules from about 1190 to about 1223; his successor Rupert II rules from 1223.
- Confidence
- medium
de.wikipedia Castell (Adelsgeschlecht); the dates of the counts are approximate.
Overlord
The bishop of Würzburg, whose hereditary cupbearers the counts have been since 1168; the house's rise to the rank of imperial counts is dated 1202-05.
What it holds
- Castell castle and the villages below it on the Steigerwald edge
- Escort rights on the road from Kitzingen and on the Würzburg-Bamberg road
- Ministerial knights (the Wiesenbronn and others)
- The hereditary cupbearer's office of Würzburg
How it was acquired
Old free comital house; Würzburg office from 1168.
Allies and rivals
The bishop of Würzburg is their lord; neighbours the Seinsheim, the abbey of Münsterschwarzach and Bamberg's Steigerwald lands.
How things stand that morning
Rupert holds Castell. Which king he backs is not pinned: no 1199 act seen. As a vassal of Conrad of Querfurt in a Staufen land, Staufen is the presumption.
Wealth
Wine and grain of the Steigerwald edge, the escort fees on two roads.
Military
Castell castle and its ministeriales. No figures survive.
Threats
- The bishop's growing territorial power
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1202-05 (beyond 1200)The house is raised to the rank of imperial counts (as the family history dates it).Depends on: royal favour Stopped by: a quarrel with the king
Places of note
- Castell castle: Seat of the counts
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Only the family history's outline; no dated act of Rupert in 1199-1200 seen.
On the map: Drawn from the later core of the county; the 1200 extent is not pinned.
Primary sources for Würzburg
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of Otto of St Blasien, Otto of St Blasien (about 1209 to 1210). A Swabian continuation of Otto of Freising written from the Staufen side. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.