Convent of Saint Anne

The Convent of Saint Anne in Würzburg was founded in 1714 by Johann Philipp von Greiffenclau zu Vollraths, Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, in accordance with a legacy from Countess Anna von Dernbach for unmarried ladies of the Franconian nobility. It was one of the few Catholic convents for noblewomen. The number of canonesses was set at six unmarried women from immediate imperial families. Admission requirements included Catholic faith, an age between 12 and 16 years, and proof of nobility for eight ancestors. In 1756, a donation by Canon von Ostein allowed the number to be increased to eight. The Bishop of Würzburg, who also appointed the abbess, decided on admissions. The convent possessed, among other things, high and low jurisdiction in Järkendorf and one-third of Abtswind, both in the Wiesentheid dominion. Disputes over the judicial competence of the convent, which was subordinate to the bishop, for areas outside its prince-bishopric led the convent and the episcopal government before the Imperial Aulic Council, which decided in favor of the convent. However, the convent lost a case before the Congregation of the Council regarding the right to decide on the election of the abbess and the admission of new ladies itself. The assets were managed by a convent administrator, who also exercised low jurisdiction. The canonesses wore a sash with the convent's emblem, an enameled medal with the image of Saint Anne on the front and the Dernbach family coat of arms on the back.