House of Zähringen
The House of Zähringen (German: Zähringer) was a dynasty of Swabian nobility. The family's name derived from Zähringen Castle near Freiburg im Breisgau. The Zähringer in the 12th century used the title of Duke of Zähringen, in compensation for having conceded the title of Duke of Swabia to the Staufer in 1098. The Zähringer were granted the special title of Rector of Burgundy in 1127, and they continued to use both titles until the extinction of the ducal line in 1218.
| House of Zähringen | |
|---|---|
Seal of Berthold IV (r. 1152–1186) | |
| Parent family | Alaholfings |
| Country | Duchy of Carinthia March of Verona Margraviate of Baden Grand Duchy of Baden |
| Founded | 11th century |
| Founder | Berthold I of Zähringen |
| Final ruler | Berthold V as Duke of Zähringen Frederick II as Grand Duke of Baden |
| Titles | Count, Duke, Margrave |
| Dissolution | 1218 (ducal branch of Zähringen) |
| Cadet branches | Baden (extant) Teck (extinct in 1439) |
The territories and fiefs held by the Zähringer were known as the Duchy of Zähringen (German: Herzogtum Zähringen), but it was not seen as a duchy in equal standing with the old stem duchies. The Zähringer attempted to expand their territories in Swabia and Burgundy into a fully recognized duchy, but their expansion was halted in the 1130s due to their feud with the Welfs. Pursuing their territorial ambitions, the Zähringer founded numerous cities and monasteries on either side of the Black Forest, as well as in the western Swiss Plateau. After the extinction of the ducal line in 1218, parts of the family's territories reverted to the crown (attained imperial immediacy), while other parts were divided between the houses of Kyburg, Urach and Fürstenberg.