Passau's lordships in the duchy of Austria: the town of St.
Pölten, which the bishop made a town in 1159, the oldest town charter in Austria; Mautern on the Danube opposite Krems, a Passau place since the late 10th century, run from the bishop's fortified courtyard; and Zeiselmauer with the eastern Tullnerfeld, given in 836, where the bishop keeps a palace for his stays in the east of his diocese.
Who he is
- Name
- Bishop Wolfger of Erla, through his officers
- Title
- Bishop of Passau (lord); his officers hold the place
- Since
- As bishop since 1191
- Born
- About 1140
- Family
- See the Passau realm record
- Confidence
- medium
St. Pölten: Passau's since at least 976, a town by Bishop Konrad's charter of 1159 (older research record; the town itself is the Austria researcher's). de.wikipedia (Mautern an der Donau): Passau's since 985 or 991, run from a fortified courtyard by the bishop's officials. de.wikipedia (Zeiselmauer-Wolfpassing): the eastern Tullnerfeld was given to Passau in 836, with Zeiselmauer as its centre and the bishop's palace for his visits to the east of the diocese; Bishop Altmann died there in 1091; Wolfger paid Walther von der Vogelweide there on 12 November 1203.
Overlord
The bishop of Passau; the land lies in the duchy of Austria, whose duke is the bishop's spiritual son and political rival.
What it holds
- St. Pölten: town lordship (charter 1159); the town record is the Austria researcher's
- Mautern: lordship and fortified courtyard (Passau's since 985 or 991)
- Zeiselmauer and the eastern Tullnerfeld with Königstetten: the bishop's palace and manor (since 836)
How it was acquired
836 (Tullnerfeld), 976 or earlier (St. Pölten), 985 or 991 (Mautern).
Allies and rivals
Duke Leopold VI and his ministeriales (the Kuenringer across the river at Dürnstein); Salzburg's Traismauer next to St. Pölten.
How things stand that morning
Held by the bishop.
Wealth
Wine of the Wachau and Tullnerfeld, St. Pölten's market, Danube traffic.
Military
Mautern's fortified courtyard; Zeiselmauer's palace.
Threats
- Babenberg ambitions, including a bishopric of Vienna (Leopold's plan of 1207 is later)
Places of note
- Zeiselmauer palace: The bishop's residence in the east of the diocese
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Grants are dated; the extent of each lordship in 1200 is approximate.
On the map: St. Pölten's modern municipality is larger than the medieval town lordship; the others are approximate.
Primary sources for Passau (Wolfger)
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
- 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
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.