Osterwitz

Who he is

Name

The Schenken of Osterwitz (the holder on 1 January 1200 is not named in the source reached)

Title

Cupbearer (Schenk) of the dukes of Carinthia, lord of Osterwitz

Since

the castle became a ducal fief in the mid-twelfth century

Born

not pinned

Family

A ducal ministerial family holding the hereditary office of cupbearer; individual members before 1300 are not named in the source reached.

Confidence

low

German Wikipedia (Burg Hochosterwitz).

Overlord

The duke of Carinthia.

What it holds

• Hochosterwitz castle (a ducal fief) and the cupbearer's office at the ducal court.

How it was acquired

Ducal fief from the mid-twelfth century (exact date not given).

Allies and rivals

The duke's men.

How things stand that morning

Held by the Schenken of Osterwitz as a ducal fief (by the castle's timeline; the holder is not named).

Military

One of the strongest rock castles of the duchy.

Places of note

• Hochosterwitz: The cupbearers' castle rock.

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: The castle article gives the change from Salzburg to the dukes and the cupbearers' tenure, without dates for the family.

On the map: A disc round the castle.

Primary sources for Carinthia

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.

• 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