House of Sponheim

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The House of Sponheim or Spanheim (also called the Sponheimer or Spanheimer) was a German noble family of the High Middle Ages. They were Dukes of Carinthia/Carantania from 1122 until 1269 and Counts of Sponheim.

In the 11th century the family was divided in two closely related branches. One of these branches, and probably senior one, retained the Duchy of Carinthia and originated the County of Ortenburg (Bavaria). The other one remained in Southwest Germany, retaining the County of Sponheim.

The founder of the dukal branch was Siegfried, a Frank by birth, who married Richgard, daughter of "Count Engelbert." For this reason the family is sometimes termed the Siegfrieding. In 1122, Siegfried's grandson Henry III of Sponheim was raised to the duke of Carinthia, inaugurating a dynasty which lasted until the death of Ulric III in 1269.

The founder of the Rhenish branch was Stephan, which could have been a 1st cousin, a son or a nephew of Sigfried.

The branch of the Countys of Ortenburg is still living today in Tambach (Bavaria).

[edit] Sources

• Freed, John B. "Reflections on the Medieval German Nobility." The American Historical Review, Vol. 91, No. 3. (Jun., 1986), pp 553-575.