Schadeck Castle

The construction of Schadeck Castle took place between 1276 and 1288 under Henry of Westerburg. It served as a counter-fortress to Runkel Castle, which was then owned by a cousin, and was a manifestation of inheritance and property disputes. It received its name because it was conceived as a “corner to the detriment of Runkel Castle.” Despite its function, Runkel Castle was never conquered. In 1321, Reinhard of Westerburg was forced by a treaty to hand over Schadeck Castle as a fief to Archbishop Balduin of Trier, following previous armed conflicts. As the treaty was not enforced, Balduin conquered the castle in 1344 as part of his efforts to secure his territories east of the Rhine. Further conflicts led to a partition treaty in 1346, but in the same year, Reinhard of Westerburg sold his share entirely to the Archbishop, although the Westerburgs apparently remained on the castle as vassals.