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Starhemberg

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
County (Principality) of Starhemberg
Grafschaft (Fürstentum) Starhemberg
1643–1806
StatusState of the Holy Roman Empire
CapitalStarhemberg
GovernmentPrincipality
Historical eraEarly modern period
• Castle built by
    Ottokar of Styria
 
1140–45
• County gained
    Reichsfreiheit
1643
• Raised to principality
1765
• Mediatised to the
    Austrian Empire
1806
Succeeded by
Austrian Empire
Coat of Arms of the Princes of Starhemberg
Arms of alliance of Princess Franziska von Starhemberg
Original arms of the family

The House of Starhemberg (German pronunciation: [ˈʃtaːʁəmbɛʁk]) is the name of an old and distinguished Austrian noble family originating from Upper Austria, specifically Steyr and Steinbach.[1] Members of the family played important political role within the Holy Roman Empire and later in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

History

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The Starhembergs are one of the 12 so-called "Apostle Houses", i.e. the families which had already played a historical role during the period of Babenberg rule of Austria (976 to 1246). In addition to them, there were also House of Liechtenstein, Fürstenberg, Abensperg und Traun etc.

The first known member Gundaker I von Steyr was mentioned in the 12th century, as a ministerial of the Otakar dynasty that ruled over the Duchy of Styria. In 1150, he married Richezza von Steinbach (Richezza nobilis matrona de Steinpach), and through her he inherited Steinbach in 1160. They were made imperial counts (Reichsgrafen) in 1643 by Emperor Ferdinand III, and were later raised to princely rank (Reichsfürsten) in 1765 by Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor. In 1806, the Princes of Starhemberg lost their sovereign independence through the mediatisation initiated by Napoleon, but were allowed to retain equality of birth with other reigning families, important for marriage purposes. The family belongs to the small circle of high nobility,[2] and their Starhemberg Palace (German: Schloss Starhemberg) in Eferding, Upper Austria, includes a museum about the family's history.

Mediatized Princes of Starhemberg

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  • Camillo, 4th Prince (1804-1872)
    • Camillo, 5th Prince 1872-1900 (1835-1900)
      • Ernst Rüdiger, 6th Prince 1900-1927 (1861-1927)
        • Ernst Rüdiger, 7th Prince 1927-1956 (1899-1956)
          • Heinrich, 8th Prince 1956-1997 (1934-1997)
        • Prince Georg (1904-1978)
          • Prince Franz (1933-1995)
            • Georg Adam, 9th Prince 1997–present (b.1961)
            • Prince Franz (b.1963)
              • Prince Nicolaus (b.2001) [3]

Notable family members

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References

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  1. ^ Schwerdling, Johann (1830). Geschichte des Hauses Starhemberg (in German). Linz: gedruckt bey Jos. Feichtinger's sel., Witwe.
  2. ^ Graf Thürheim (1889). Ludwig, Fürst Starhemberg (in German). Graz. p. 171.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ "Starhemberg 4".

Further reading

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  • Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Adelslexikon Band XIV, Gesamtreihe Band 131, C. A. Starke Verlag, Limburg/Lahn, 2003, pp. 24–26 (in German).
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