Counts of Falkenstein (Rhineland-Palatinate)

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The Graf von Falkenstein, were German nobility, descendend from the Ritter von Bolanden, who held land and a castle in Falkenstein in what is now the Rhineland-Palatinate.

Philipp IV. von Bolanden, a treasurer to the Kaiser, was the founder of the Falkenstein line. He married Irmgard von Münzenberg, and took his residence at ie Burg Falkenstein (meaning Castle Falkenstein in German) located there is named after them. Philipp henceforth became known as Philipp I. von Falkenstein. His family carried the name Bolanden-Falkenstein.

In 1255 the family became and titular counts from land inherited by marriage from the counts of Hagen-Münzenberg. In this manner they came to be established in the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Region. At Königstein im Taunus they built their new Castle Burg (Neu-)Falkenstein.

The Falkenstein's also inherited the town of Offenbach am Main from the Count of Münzenberg. They leased the town to the neighbouring town of Frankfurt am Main for 1,000 Gulden.

Count Werner III. von Falkenstein († 1418) was Archbishop of Trier from 1388 until his death in 1418. He is remembered for his provocation against the people of Frankfurt by developing rivalry with that town and Offenbach.

The Falkenstein male line died out with the death of Werner III. in 1418. Their landed estates were inherited by Herren von Eppstein (meaning Lord's of Eppstein in German) family as well as the counts von Solms.