Counts of Woldenberg
The Counts of Woldenberg, of Wohldenberg, formerly lords of Wöltingerode, were a prosperous noble family of the High Middle Ages situated northwest of the Harz Mountains. They take their name from Wohldenberg Castle, which was constructed between 1153 and 1160. In 1174 they converted their previous ancestral seat, Wöltingerode Castle, into a Benedictine monastery, thereby founding Wöltingerode Abbey.
In 1383, their property fell to the Bishopric of Hildesheim on the extinction of the family.
Prominent members
- Adelheid von Woldenberg, first Abbess of the St. Aegidii Monastery in Münster
- Burkhard I von Woldenberg
- Heinrich II von Woldenberg, Bishop of Hildesheim
- Otto II von Woldenberg, Bishop of Hildesheim
- Mechthild II von Wohldenberg, Abbess of Gandersheim Abbey
- Ludiger von Woldenberg, Count of Woldenberg
Literature
- Jan Habermann: Verbündete Vasallen. Die Netzwerke von Grafen und Herren am Nordwestharz im Spannungsgefüge zwischen rivalisierenden Fürstgewalten . Norderstedt 2011.
- Wolfgang Petke: Die Grafen von Wöltingerode Wohldenberg. Adelsherrschaft, Königtum und Landesherrschaft am Nordwestharz im 12. und 13. Jahrhundert. Hildesheim 1971.