The heirs of the old counts of the Rheingau, the Embrichonen, who sank into Mainz's service as ministeriales and vassals once the archbishops took the Rheingau.
Since 1194 the title has passed with Lukardis's son Wolfram to the lords of Stein, whose own power lies on the Nahe at the Rheingrafenstein (mrw's area). In the Rheingau they hold Rheinberg near Lorch as a Mainz fief and are often the archbishop's vicedominus there.
Who he is
- Name
- Wolfram of Stein, Rheingraf since 1194 (born about 1166, died 1220/21); a Werner, 'the younger Rheingraf', of the old line also appears until his death without heirs in 1223
- Title
- Rheingraf (count of the Rheingau), vassal and officer of the archbishop of Mainz
- Since
- 1194
- Born
- Wolfram about 1166
- Family
- Wolfram is the son of Siegfried of Stein and Lukardis, daughter of the old Rheingraf Embricho; the old line ended when Embricho (IV) died without heirs in 1194. Wolfram went on the Third Crusade (1189-1191) and married Guda (Jutta) of Bolanden about 1187, a match into Philip's great ministerial house (mrw). His wife's kin and the Runkel lords are tied to him by marriage.
- Confidence
- medium
de.wikipedia Rheingrafen.
Overlord
The archbishop of Mainz (Rheinberg is a Mainz fief since 1170; the vicedominate of the Rheingau is often given to the Rheingrafen).
What it holds
- Rheinberg castle near Lorch (a Mainz fief since 1170)
- Lands round Geisenheim, the old Embrichonen country (not pinned)
- Often the vicedominate of the Rheingau (holder in 1200 not pinned)
- Stein (Rheingrafenstein) on the Nahe: the Stein family's own seat (mrw)
How it was acquired
By Lukardis's inheritance in 1194.
Allies and rivals
Mainz; the Bolanden by marriage; the Runkel lords (Mechtild of Runkel married a Rheingraf Emicho).
How things stand that morning
Wolfram holds Rheinberg and the Rheingau title for Mainz; his stance follows Conrad's neutrality, with Bolanden kin on Philip's side (not pinned).
Wealth
Rheingau wine and Nahe lands.
Military
Rheinberg; the Stein castles on the Nahe.
Threats
- The Mainz schism after Conrad's death
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.
- late 1200The Rheingau is drawn into the Mainz double election (Siegfried elected at Bingen).Depends on: Conrad's death. Stopped by: Conrad living.
Places of note
- Rheinberg castle near Lorch: Mainz fief since 1170 (point placed at Lorch).
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Wolfram's dates are given; the share of title between Wolfram and the younger Werner in 1200 is muddled.
On the map: Only the Rheinberg district is drawn; it lies inside the Mainz Rheingau.
Primary sources for Mainz
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
- Chronicle of Reinhardsbrunn; Chronicle of St Peter's, Erfurt (Erfurt chronicle in the 13th century; Reinhardsbrunn compilation about 1340 to 1349 from older annals). The two Thuringian chronicles. Read online
- Royal Chronicle of Cologne (in stages from about 1175 to about 1250; the section on 1198 to 1220 written soon after the events). The fullest German narrative of the throne war from the Welf and Cologne 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
- Register of Innocent III on the affair of the Roman Empire, Innocent III and the papal chancery (1198 to 1209, compiled as a separate register at the curia). The pope's own file on the German throne war: letters to and from Philip, Otto, the German princes and bishops, and the famous Deliberatio of late 1200 or early 1201 in which Innocent weighs the claims of Frederick, Philip and Otto before deciding for Otto. Read online
- The Registers of Pope Innocent III for 1199 to 1201, Innocent III and the papal chancery (22 February 1199 to 21 February 1201). The pope's outgoing letters for the year, in his chancery's own copy, touching nearly every realm in the atlas. Read online
1 more in the sources library for The Rhineland, the Low Countries and the Swiss Lands.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.