Barons and castellans · Other imperial lands · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Klingen

A free family of the Thurgau, seated at Altenklingen on the Ottenberg ridge with estates along the Untersee, and at Hohenklingen above Stein am Rhein, where they were advocates of the abbey of St George and of its town.

They held many fiefs of the bishop of Constance. On 17 January 1200 Heinrich of Klingen, provost of St Gall, becomes abbot of St Gall and soon Philip's man.

Who he is

Name
Probably Ulrich and Walter, sons of the first Walter, named as advocates of St George's at Stein in 1170; who led the house on 1 January 1200 is not pinned
Title
Free lords (Freiherren) of Klingen
Since
not pinned
Born
not pinned
Family
First known member Walter, said to be advocate of St George's about 1150 and witness for the bishop of Constance in 1169. The Alten- and Hohenklingen lines descend from his presumed sons Ulrich and Walter but are clearly distinct only after 1250. The younger Ulrich founds Klingnau in 1239. Heinrich of Klingen, provost of St Gall, is elected abbot on 17 January 1200 (Church map); his place in this family's tree is not established.
Confidence
low

HLS article on the family, which warns that the genealogy before 1300 is unclear in several points.

Overlord

The bishop of Constance, from whom the family held many fiefs; the bishop of Bamberg's abbey of St George at Stein, whose advocates they were.

What it holds

  • Altenklingen near Wigoltingen, north-west of the Ottenberg, with estates along the Untersee
  • Hohenklingen above Stein am Rhein and the advocacy of the abbey of St George and its town (attested 1170)
  • Many fiefs of the bishop of Constance
  • Scattered estates in the Thurgau and the Aargau

How it was acquired

The advocacy of St George's from about 1150 (uncertain tradition) and certainly by 1170.

Allies and rivals

Vassals of Bishop Diethelm of Constance, Philip's counsellor; the advocacy of Stein sits under the high advocacy the Zähringen held there until 1218 (general accounts, not checked this session).

How things stand that morning

Holds Altenklingen, Hohenklingen and the Stein advocacy. Leans Staufen through its overlord and kin, without a recorded act.

Wealth

The Rhine crossing and market at Stein; vineyards and fisheries of the Untersee; estates on the Thurgau ridges.

Military

Castles of Altenklingen and Hohenklingen; no war recorded around 1200.

Threats

  • The division of the house into two lines
  • The Kyburg counts' growth in the Thurgau

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.

  1. 17 January 1200Heinrich of Klingen, provost of St Gall, is elected abbot two days after Ulrich of Veringen's death; Philip confirms him at Ulm during 1200 (date not pinned).Depends on: Ulrich of Veringen dying on 15 January 1200 and the chapter electing as it did. Stopped by: A different election, or Otto's party winning St Gall.

Places of note

  • Hohenklingen castle: Castle above the abbey town

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: Castles and the Stein advocacy are attested; the 1200 generation is uncertain.

On the map: Drawn round the two castles; the many episcopal fiefs are not mapped.

Primary sources for Empire

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.

8 more in the sources library for The Rhineland, the Low Countries and the Swiss Lands.

Sources and studies

  1. HLS: Klingen, von

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.