Henry the Lion, as duke of Bavaria, built a bridge over the Lech at Phetine (first documented 1150), moved the salt road onto it in 1158, and about 1160 built the castle of Landespurch to guard it.
After his fall in 1180 the duchy passed to the Wittelsbach, and with it this ducal castle. The town of Landsberg probably received town rights between 1160 and 1180, according to de.wikipedia.
Who he is
- Name
- Louis I of Wittelsbach
- Title
- Duke of Bavaria
- Since
- 1183
- Born
- 23 December 1173
- Family
- Wittelsbach
- Confidence
- medium
de.wikipedia (Landsberg am Lech; Ludwig der Kelheimer).
Overlord
The king (Philip).
What it holds
- Landsberg castle (Castrum Landespurch)
- The Lech bridge on the salt road from Reichenhall to Swabia
- The settlement of Landsberg
How it was acquired
With the duchy, after 1180 (inferred).
Allies and rivals
Faces the Staufen Lechrain (Schongau, Peiting) upstream and the bishop of Augsburg's lands across the river.
How things stand that morning
Held by the duke on 1 January 1200 (medium confidence: the source does not describe the transfer after 1180). He backs Philip.
Wealth
Bridge and salt traffic (the salt toll is recorded only from 1320).
Military
Landsberg castle guarding the bridge.
Threats
- None recorded for 1200
Places of note
- Landsberg castle: Henry the Lion's castle on the salt road.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The building dates are documented; the ducal tenure in 1200 is inferred.
On the map: The district round the castle is rough.
Primary sources for Bavaria
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 Schäftlarn and the Bavarian annals (12th and 13th centuries). Brief Bavarian annals. Read online
- The Austrian and Salzburg annals (kept in the 12th and 13th centuries, with continuations to the late 13th century). A family of monastic annals from Austria, Styria and Salzburg, printed together. 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
- Regesta Imperii V: calendar of the acts of Philip, Otto IV and Frederick II, 1198 to 1272 (calendar of documents of 1198 to 1272, published 1881 to 1901). A dated calendar of every known act of King Philip and King Otto IV, with the acts of popes and princes that bear on the Empire. Read online
- Bavarian monuments: the charters of the Bavarian monasteries and bishoprics (charters from the 8th century onward, published 1763 to 1916). The great charter series of Bavaria, arranged by monastery and bishopric. Read online
- Charter book of the bishops of Trent (compiled 1207 to 1218; documents from the 11th century onward; edited 1852). The cartulary of the prince-bishops of Trent. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.