Wilhelm von Cronberg

Coat of arms of those von Cronberg, wing trunk (from Humbracht et al., 1707)

Coat of arms of the von Cronberg (wing trunk)

Wilhelm von Cronberg († January 26, 1609 in Aschaffenburg ) was Großbailli of the Order of St. John from 1607 until his death in 1609 and in this capacity was responsible for the fortifications in Malta. He previously held other offices in the Order of St. John and was also a commander in charge of several people coming to St. John.

Life and career

The headquarters of the Cronberg family was in Kronberg im Taunus. One of the best-known representatives of this family was the Archbishop of Mainz, Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg (1553 to 1626), who was in office from 1604 to 1626. Wilhelm von Cronberg, however, came from a lesser known branch of this noble family, the so-called wing tribe . The blazon of the coat of arms: a square; Field 1: Red, Field 2 and 3: In silver four (2: 2) blue iron hats, Field 4: Red. Crest two wings, hence the name wing trunk. The so-called crown trunk of the von Cronberg has a golden crown in field 1 and a black thistle umbel as a crest.

Wilhelm was born the son of Kaspar von Cronberg and his wife Margareta von Sötern. On May 31, 1578, the swearing up in the Order of St. John took place in Malta. On the trip to Malta he had previously registered with the German Nation at the University of Siena in April 1578. In 1588 he received the Kommende Mainz and Nieder-Weisel, which he held until his death. On April 4, 1605 he was promoted to bearer of the Grand Cross and was Titular Prior of Dacien until August 27, 1605. On August 27, 1605 he was promoted to Grand Titular Prior of Hungary and was finally elected Grand Bailli of the Order of St. John on May 10, 1607 . In this role he was responsible for overseeing the fortifications in Malta. For 1607 he is also proven as commander of the Johanniterkommende in Rottweil. On January 26th, 1609 he died in Johannisburg Castle in Aschaffenburg , the residence of his archbishop relative Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg.

literature

• Helmut Hartmann: The Commander of the Mainz Johanniter commander. In: Mainz magazine. Volume 76, 1981, pp. 103-124.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Johann Maximilian Humbracht, Georg Helwich, Georg F. Greifenclau zu Vollraths: The highest Zierde Teutsch-Landes, And Excellence of the Teutschen Nobility: Presented in the Reichs-Freyen Rhenish knights, also out of the same descended and adjoining sexes, so sworn to high stiffs , or 150 years ago Praiseworthy Knights were incorporated, Stamm-Taffeln and Wapen. Knoch, Franckfurt am Main 1707, coat of arms panel 12. (online at Bayerische Staatsbibliothek digital)

predecessor	Office	successor
Arbogast from Andlau	Grand Bailli of the Order of St. John 1607–1609	Johann Friedrich Hund of Saulheim