Flochberg Castle

A Reginhardus de Vlochperch was first documented in 1138, followed by a mention of the castle itself in 1150 in a letter from King Konrad III, who referred to it as “castellum nostrum Flochperhc”. A battle at Flochberg, in which Konrad's son Heinrich Berengar was victorious over Welf VI, contributed to the end of a conflict between the Staufer and Welfen dynasties. In the High Middle Ages, ministeriales and noble free aristocrats bore the surname of Flochberg. In 1330, the fief was granted to the Counts of Oettingen. After a presumed destruction, likely during the conflicts over the Staufer inheritance, King Ludwig permitted its refortification, and the castle was reoccupied by 1338. Emperor Charles IV pledged Flochberg to the Counts of Oettingen in 1347, who never redeemed the pledge, thus becoming the full owners. The castle subsequently served as the seat of the Oettingen bailiffs. In 1547, Emperor Charles V sought refuge at the fortress during the Schmalkaldic War.