Maienfels Castle

The origins of Maienfels Castle date back to the High Middle Ages, with construction beginning between 1230 and 1250. It was first documented in 1302 as the seat of a collateral line of the Lords of Neudeck, who later adopted the name Maienfels. These ministeriales served the Hohenlohe family and maintained close ties with the Staufer dynasty. By the end of the 14th century, the castle was sold to the Hohenlohe. A peace treaty signed in 1426 transformed Maienfels into a joint inheritance (Ganerbenbesitz) and a Kunkellehen, with shares held by the families of Urbach, Venningen, Sickingen, and Weiler. As opponents of the surrounding imperial cities, the castle lords frequently clashed with them. In 1441, the united imperial cities, led by Hall, besieged the castle for three months and destroyed large parts. After Weinsberg came under Palatinate rule, new co-inheriting families such as the Schott von Schottenstein, Rauch von Winnenden, von Gültlingen, von Remchingen, von Freyberg, and von Vellberg rebuilt the complex. In 1464, they pledged the castle as a fief to the Count Palatine to secure protection against the imperial cities. The simultaneous habitation by all six families necessitated expansions. In 1504, the feudal lordship passed to Württemberg after Ulrich of Württemberg conquered Weinsberg.