Gerlach I (Limburg)

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Gerlach I (also: Gerlach von Isenburg) (* before 1227; † January 1289 in the Black Forest ) was the founder of the House of Limburg and since 1258 ruler of the city of Limburg an der Lahn and several villages in the surrounding area.

Life

After the death of his father Heinrich I von Isenburg in 1227, Gerlach ruled the paternal legacy together with his brother Heinrich II von Isenburg . Gerlach has held the title of '' Lord of Limburg '' since 1247. On May 22, 1258, the division of the Isenburg estate was finally sealed: Gerlach received rule over Limburg, Heinrich II. The Isenburg county in sole possession.

From a trip to Italy around 1231 Gerlach brought Franciscan brothers with him, whom he made possible to build a monastery in Limburg. When it was founded, it was one of the oldest monasteries of this order in Germany. The monastery was also later supported by the Limburg House.

As Lord of Limburg, Gerlach joined the opponents of the Staufer . Gerlach was probably involved in a sack of Worms in 1243/44. After the interregnum he supported King Rudolf von Habsburg . In 1276 he was commissioned by the king to confirm the Count of Diez in their imperial fief.

In 1279 there was a civil uprising in the city of Limburg and Gerlach was driven out of the city. Only after long negotiations could he return to his Limburg castle above the city, but had to grant the city extensive freedom. These freedoms included the right to collect taxes, internal justice, marriages, and housing. In the event of a dispute between the House of Limburg and the city, the aldermen of the city of Frankfurt should decide. After his return, Gerlach had Limburg Castle expanded; the tower he built is still there today.

To secure his position, he sought dynastic connections with neighboring ruling houses, including Nassau , Westerburg and Diez. His daughter Agnes married Heinrich I von Westerburg around 1267. Around 1270 his daughter Imagina married the count and later King Adolf von Nassau . By Adolf von Nassau Gerlach was appointed Burgmann at the Reichsburg Kalsmunt near Wetzlar in 1287 . On June 5, 1288 Gerlach took part in the Battle of Worringen together with Adolf von Nassau and Heinrich von Westerburg . They supported Heinrich's brother, the Archbishop of Cologne Siegfried von Westerburg . The defeat in battle had no serious consequences for Gerlach; his son-in-law Heinrich von Westerburg paid with his life.

Gerlach I of Limburg died in 1289 while taking part in a campaign by King Rudolf in the Black Forest. His son Johann I took over the rule in Limburg.

Marriage and offspring

Gerlach was married to Imagina von Blieskastel († 1281). They had at least five children:

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personal data
SURNAME Gerlach I.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Gerlach von Ysenburg
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Lord of Limburg an der Lahn
DATE OF BIRTH before 1227
DATE OF DEATH January 1289
Place of death Black Forest