Zähringen vassals who rose on fiefs of the Zürich advocacy.
They hold the castle of Eschenbach on the Reuss north of Lucerne, the Schnabelburg on the Albis ridge above Zürich (named 1185), Maschwanden, and founded the Cistercian abbey of Kappel (between 1180 and 1190). Through the abbacies of Murbach and of Lucerne held by Walter's brothers they probably founded the town of Lucerne about 1178-1200. Walter II's marriage to Ita of Oberhofen will carry them into the Bernese Oberland (Oberhofen, Unspunnen).
Who he is
- Name
- Walter (I) of Eschenbach-Schnabelburg and his sons Walter (II) and Berchtold; who led the house on 1 January 1200 is not pinned
- Title
- Free lords (Edelfreie) of Eschenbach and Schnabelburg
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not pinned
- Family
- Walter I witnessed Barbarossa's acts at Lenzburg in 1173 and is first named after the new Schnabelburg in 1185; he married Adelheid of Schwarzenberg, of the Breisgau family. His brothers were Konrad, abbot of Murbach, and Ulrich, provost of Lucerne. Walter II married Ita of Oberhofen, heiress in the Bernese Oberland; Berchtold founded the Schnabelburg line.
- Confidence
- low
HLS Eschenbach, von (via de.wikipedia).
Overlord
Berthold V of Zähringen, from whom they hold lands of the Zürich advocacy between Lake Zürich and the Reuss; also vassals of the Lenzburg heirs.
What it holds
- Eschenbach castle on the Reuss (Alt-Eschenbach, at Inwil)
- Schnabelburg on the Albis (named 1185)
- Maschwanden
- Kappel abbey, their foundation (1180-1190)
- Zähringen fiefs of the Zürich advocacy between Lake Zürich and the Reuss
- Kastelburg by Waldkirch and other Breisgau lands through the Schwarzenberg marriage (date not pinned)
- Oberhofen in the Oberland through Ita of Oberhofen (date not pinned)
How it was acquired
Zähringen fiefs; marriages.
Allies and rivals
Berthold V's men; the Schwarzenberg in-laws; the Habsburg advocates of Lucerne.
How things stand that morning
Hold their castles under Berthold V; follow him to Philip (allegiance Staufen through their lord, low confidence).
Wealth
Reuss and Albis estates; the Lucerne and Gotthard traffic. No figures.
Military
Eschenbach and Schnabelburg. No numbers.
Threats
- The end of the Zähringen line would cut their rise (as it did after 1218).
Places of note
- Schnabelburg: Castle on the Albis (approximate place)
- Kappel abbey: Family foundation
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Generations and dates of the 1200 heads are not given in the sources read.
On the map: Fiefs of the Zürich advocacy drawn as Zähringen ground.
Primary sources for Zähringen
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.
- Annals of Marbach (compiled to 1238, the section on 1198 to 1210 written in the early 13th century). Alsatian annals on the Staufen side of the Upper Rhine. Read online
- Chronicle of Burchard of Ursberg, Burchard of Ursberg (about 1229 to 1230, reworked by Conrad of Lichtenau). Written a generation later by a fierce partisan of the Staufen and a critic of Innocent III. Read online
- 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.