Ansbach (Onolzbach) grew round the monastery founded by Gumbert in 748.
The bishops of Würzburg granted the hereditary advocacy over the house, the settlement and the land round it to the lords of Schalkhausen and Dornberg, who appear from 1144; in practice the advocates are the lords of Ansbach. Ansbach is first called a town in 1221.
Who he is
- Name
- The lords of Dornberg (the head in 1200 is not pinned)
- Title
- Hereditary advocates (Vögte) of the church of St Gumbertus at Ansbach, the settlement and the land round it, as fiefs of the bishop of Würzburg
- Since
- The lords of Schalkhausen and Dornberg first appear on 18 October 1144 in a charter of Bishop Embricho of Würzburg
- Born
- not pinned
- Family
- The line ends in 1288 with Wolfram of Dornberg, whose daughter's husband Ludwig of Oettingen inherits.
- Confidence
- low
de.wikipedia Ansbach (history).
Overlord
The bishop of Würzburg.
What it holds
- The advocacy over St Gumbertus, the settlement of Ansbach and the land round it
How it was acquired
Würzburg fief, recorded from 1144.
Allies and rivals
Under Würzburg; neighbours the Abenberg lands to the east and the Staufen at Feuchtwangen and Rothenburg.
How things stand that morning
Hold the advocacy; follow the bishop of Würzburg (Staufen that winter); their own side not pinned.
Wealth
Advocacy fees and the Rezat valley lands.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: One dated first mention and the end of the line; nothing for 1200.
On the map: Approximate.
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.