Bibra family

For other Bibra and Bibran entries, go to Bibra disambiguation page

Bibra family was one of the leading (Uradel:very old Nobility) families in Franconia (northern part of Bavaria) and Thuringia from the mid-15th century to about 1600. Later on the family rose from Reichsritter (Imperial Knights) to Reichsfreiherr (Barons of the Holy Roman Empire). After the Holy Roman Empire dissolved, they were made ‘’Freiherr’‘ (Barons) of Bavaria and Bohemia.

Contents

History

Earliest references to the family include a document of Bishop Otto of Bamberg from the year 1119 of a Rupertus de Bibra. In 1151 a Pertholdus (Berthold) de Bibra and his sons Pertholdus (Berthold) and Tagino are referenced in another document. The family prospered in numbers, wealth, and influence in the 15th century and early 16th century. By the time of Siebmachers Wappenbuch of 1605, the family is listed as the most important family of Franconia under the rank of Freiherr. By 1600 most of the family died off without heirs partially due natural causes such as the Bubonic plague and the number of family members who took church positions. After the death of Heinrich von Bibra in 1602, the Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn seized most of the family’s assets as part of the Counter-Reformation resulting in a 79 year lawsuit. The lawsuit was eventually settled with the family receiving all the properties except Burgwallbach but without income during the suit. From 1602 on there were many important members of the family but the family itself never recovered the leading position it previously had in the late 15th and 16th centuries. Between 1698 and 1772, the various lines were raised to Reichsfreiherr (Barons of the Holy Roman Empire). In later times, the family spread to the Austrian Empire, the British Empire, and the United States.

Prominent Members of the Family

Nikolaus von Bibra, 13th century Erfurt monk, unknown if connected to von Bibra family. Listed under theology and satire, he wrote under the pseudonym Occultus Erfordernis and his satirical work is called Carmen Satiricum. (German Wikipedia article)

Riemenschneider Patronage

The tomb of Lorenz von Bibra by Tilman Riemenschneider (c. 1460 - July 7, 1531) in the Würzburg Dom (cathedral) is one of Riemenschneider's most famous works. Lorenz also commissioned Riemenscheider to do the tomb of his predecessor, Rudolf von Scherenberg. In Bibra the family commissioned Riemenschneider to do the Altar of the Apostles, Altar of the Church Fathers, Altar of the Annunciation, Carving of St. Kilian, a crucifix, and an epithet of Hans von Bibra (Lorenz’ father). Kilian von Bibra also commissioned a work by Riemenscheider other than at Bibra. 

Localities Associated with Family

Family seat:

Second seat:

Historical holdings still in family:

Estates, castles, manor houses, and villages that previously came under Bibra control (Germany unless otherwise stated):

German cities with close association:

Klosters closely associated with Bibra family:

Australia

Coat of Arms of Municipalities

The Bibra coat of arms is incorporated into several municipalities.

Organization of the Family

For the last four centuries the family has divided itself between two Branches named after the two brothers whom all living Bibra descend: Valentine (1560–1595) and Bernhard (1562–1609). Within each branch, the family has divided further in Lines centered on castles and a manor house (Gleicherwiesen). The last two centuries, the Lines are as follows:

Valentine Branch

Adelsdorf Line (extinct in the male line since 1993)
Raised to Imperial Barons (Reichsfreiherr) 1698
Became Bavarian Barons 1815
Gleicherweisen Line
Raised to Imperial Barons (Reichsfreiherr) 1698
Became Bavarian Barons 1815
Schwebheim Line (extinct 1958)
Raised to Imperial Barons (Reichsfreiherr) 1698
Became Bavarian Barons 1817
Schnabelwaid, later Weisendorf Line (extinct 1856)
Raised to Imperial Barons (Reichsfreiherr) 1698
Became Bohemian (part of the Austrian Empire), Barons 1810

Bernhard Branch

Brennhausen Line
Raised to Imperial Barons (Reichsfreiherr) 1772
Became Bavarian Barons 1828
Bibra-Bibra Line
Raised to Imperial Barons (Reichsfreiherr) 1772
Became Bavarian Barons 1816
Irmelshausen Line (Older sub-line & Younger sub-line)
Raised to Imperial Barons (Reichsfreiherr) 1713
Became Bavarian Barons 1816

All branches of the family were raised to Freiherr. Freiherr was a title, translated as Baron, not a first or middle name. From 1919 Freiherr and its feminine equivalents are no longer titles but part of the surname, following the given name(s) and are not translated. In 1919, all nobility predicates were transformed into constituents of the family name in Germany.

Outline of family

References

  1. ^ The Von Bibra Story Lois Nyman and Graeme von Bibra, November 1996, Foot & Playsted Pty Ltd., Launceston ISBN 0-9597188-1-8 pp. 64-66

German

English

External links

Bibra Related Places