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In the forward of the book "Koberstein Genealogie" Johann living in Altenkirchen in the Westerwald is mentioned as being one of the earliest references to the Koberstein name in the year 1359. Here is the location of Altenkirchen in Westerwald on a modern map.
And here is the full machine translation of the Koberstein Genealogie Forward.
Despite great effort we were not successful, even looking in many different archives, finding even one book about any branch of the Koberstein family that we belong to. It would have been worth while for our ancestors to be security officers because they are quite creative. One can set the emergence of the Koberstein Castle in Mähren to sometime after 1284, i.e. around the turn of the 13th to the 14th century. The emergence of the Koberstein name can be proven as 1359 with Johann Koberstein of Altenkirchen in the Westerwald. We are now in the 20th century and it is amost impossible to look back more than 600 years, nevertheless the attempt will be undertaken. Many historians and archivists helped us get this information. Archaeological archives in Troppau/Opava contributed information concerning the Koberstein Castle in Reihwiesen (today Czechoslovakia). Due to many wars, particularly the 30 year war, source material was almost completely destroyed, such that we can not fill in all the centuries. We used general history, local history, and geography of the various locations. Where there was not historical sources we had to use legends. Without this, it would be impossible to understand the turbulance and chalanges our ancestors had to endure in for their descendants today. With our search we found some Koberstein genealogy. We were able to find one common ancestor in the eighteen hundreds.
Hans Günter Schütte
Translation: Gerhard I. about 1400-1455, Death 1457 married? with Bylge,
daughter of the Johann of Koberstein and the Guetgin 1415-1457,
both buried in Marienstatt of children see next slide.
This Wikipedia link gives the full Master List of the Lords of Bicken which includes Johann and Bylge Koberstein. FamilySearch has the decendancy for Johann Koberstein.
According to the Koberstein Genealogie book by Edit Schutte, he apparently, as they say, daughtered out. "A branch of Von Kobern on the Moselle, Johann von Kobern - founded the settlement Koberstein, Hachenburg near Altenkirchen im Westerwald and has been calling itself "von Koberstein" since 1359 after its new castle. This family died out in the male tribe with a grandson before 1442." is from the translation of this book page 6.
This Castle (Fraser in Scotland - Z-plan) is similar to the reconstruction of the Koberstein Castle near Altenkirchen.
An Article about the Koberstein Castle in Altenkirchen. This is part of a two volume book entitled "Chronik Obererbach". This a Wiki Article about it.
Here is a rough translation:
1. The castle building in the Middle Ages and in the Westerwald
The castles of the Middle Ages had diverse functions, they were especially military structures and at the same time residences of the Nobility. Mostly they were in possession of one relatives of the nobility who lived there permanently with his family. For larger castles, significant Lords over several Castles that were occupied with servants, governors, ministerials or Burgmannen. Medieval castles appear in different heights and sizes, depending from the meaning and position of the lord of the castle. Smaller Noble family of the service nobility (Ministerial) usually had only small Military buildings or only partially stone houses, A Landlord that entertained, sometimes had extensive castles.
The castles of the Middle Ages had an important role in territorial policy. They were the center of emerging territories, such as also the county Sayn, and starting point the coverage of the parts of the country through an administration.(1) Castles were built for protection though also to control the surrounding property, such as Cities, markets, mines or agricultural goods. The location of a castle in the immediate vicinity or proximity to a settlement is for the protection of the village or land. In these Protective castles were in the Westerwald which are called "motts". Castles commonly represented in Europe around the year 1000 experienced a big recovery and then spread throughout Central Europe. In the Westerwald you can see a variety of such castles in the form of a Prove mott. Motts existed for example in Broichhausen, Elkenroth, Giershausen, Honneroth, Mauden, Oberdreis or Streithausen.(2) A mott is a castle on a natural or artificial heaped up hill (local mountain or Erdhügelburg), mostly was to be found in the plain and thus basically to the lowland castles counts. There is also Heights in the form of a mott. Motts were usually from Surrounded moats and palisades, So they belonged to the water castles. On the hill stood a tower or a stony house in the middle.
Often, such existed Motts from a two-piece plant: From the actual of one Trench and wall secured with palisades Castle with stone house or residential tower and one also from surrounded by a moat and wall Bailey. Motts occurred since time the 10th and 11th centuries, first in England, northern France and northern Germany. Castles in the form of a mott are predominant in the 12th to 15th century been built in this time experienced the mott as the genus of the castle her largest construction activity.3 The knight seats of the 13th and 14th centuries were many such castles, those of Wall, palisades and moat were surrounded. Especially in the Westerwald are the rural nobility seats in the vast majority executed in the construction of a moated castle worden.4 Such temples or castles with stone house were often built to an already existing one good later with one
To defend the castle. Frequently were Castles but also in the distance of the property to be protected, there the conditions were more favorable for an attachment, for example, if the location already better protected by nature war.5 Castles developed too tribal sitting and to midpoints the families of the nobility. The construction a castle had for a nobleman
far-reaching consequences. To the He became a lord of the castle and got a manor, on the other
Castles were also always with the Exercise associated with domination. This development can be with Fully understand Koberstein.
2. The dating of the Castle Koberstein
The time of origin of the castle Koberstein can be relatively time narrow down narrowly. On the one hand becomes Johann von Kobern am December 6, 1343 still as a witness called a certificate in Hachenburg, as Count Johann von Sayn the Guild letter for the weavers guild of the Stadt Hachenburg exhibited.6 Because he 1343 in this guild letter as Johann by Kobern and not yet as Johann von Koberstein appears he is still at this time not after his castle Koberstein named. This suggests that the later eponymous castle in Koberstein did not exist. It is unlikely that he will this power-indicating attribute in renounced his name for no reason. True, the name forms were not yet established in the Middle Ages and left still different Terms one and the same Person too - also Johann von Koberstein called himself in later documents not consistent with his Castle, but appears next to it also still isolated as Johann from Kobern - but this can be judged that the Castle was not built yet. On the other hand, the castle is in the two documents of the counts Johann from Sayn and his son Johann from 6th November 1358 already mentioned (See page 14-27).7 Therefore she must already at this time have existed and therefore before that been built. This can do that Year 1358 as the oldest temporal boundary be used. The time of origin of Koberstein can therefore be exactly 15 years time limit. The castle Koberstein must therefore between built in 1343 and 1358. This is the date of the castle Koberstein proved relatively safe at the same time can thereby also the Origin of the district Koberstein relatively safe and accurate take time.
3. The construction of the castle through Johann von Koberste
Inbetween 1343 and 1358 Johann has from Koben the castle Koberstein built. Since he is one for his castle widened valley at the Erbach chose as a construction site and thus one Castle in the plain built (Niederungsburg), he could not do any natural Obstacles, like one Mountain, a slope or a hill, to use for the construction of the castle (See Fig. 50). Therefore, had artificial Obstacles are created to protect the castle from attacks. For this one used mostly one existing waters. Nearby one put one of these waters round moat, the a resulting island surrounded. The excavation of the ditch was to pile up a hill used on the the actual Castle rose. This created two artificial obstacles: the Moat and the hill with the castle. Although a large number of such castles with dry ones Trenches is detectable – thus not in any case of a moated castle can be assumed - This type of castles is with surrounding trenches and one Hill with fortification but its own Genus within the castle buildings (mott). Often became on the hill in the middle – straight in smaller noble seats – instead a tower built a stone house. These stone houses are also castles to classify.8 Since Koberstein but in the immediate Built close to the river Erbach The castle is certainly one Moat secured. The creek in the area of Koberstein is, however, demonstrably in been changed in the 1930s Thus, for the earlier time allowed not from today's course of the Erbaches are assumed. The Bach flowed before the time of his So do not lay at the edge of the forest along but had another one Streambed. Like landscape colorations on aerial photos show.
Fig. 44 Siege and defense of a castle (first half of the 14th century) Great Heidelberg songwriting (Codex Manesse), Heidelberg University Library, Codex Palatinus Germanicus 848, p. 229v.
Like landscape colorations on aerial photos, the earlier creek was obvious approximately in the middle of the area between today's buildings of the Kobersteiner Hof (Alt-Koberstein) and the forest stand behind the current course of the stream. The still preserved damp Lower at the foot of the southeast pointing stroking flat slope towards the former brook bed (See Fig. 50). Starting from the existing one Creek left Johann von Kobern a round moat invest, and he certainly already existing creek as one side exploited his moat, so he had less effort and only lift three more pages had to leave.
Fig. 45 Former location of Koberstein Castle (2008)
Through the moat arose from the water enclosed area on which Johann from Kobern afterwards the Burg Koberstein was built. A let such a moat still moist and herb-rich soil sinks recognize at the location of the castle. At high tide is the course the trench plant clearly in to understand the bottom of the valley. Moreover are the Lettensohlen at canal works of the silted up and in The 1930s filled in moat been proven. By the construction of the moat Large masses of earth fell. This excavation is probably for the landfill used a hill Service. The attachment on one Hill is one of the essentials the motts. As the castle Koberstein was built in the 14th century and thus in the middle of the time Flowering phase of the mott as castle construction fell, it is therefore assumed that also Koberstein on a Hill or a small hill he lifted. The hill is not more detectable. Probably he became in the course of the following Centuries after the decay the castle cleared to the floodplain better than grassland for the To be able to use agriculture. Southeast of the farm Alt-Koberstein and the location of the castle is behind the creek in the forest one sprawling landfill recognizable which runs parallel to the Erbach. It could be leftovers act of a mound that leads to the Fortification of the castle was created (See Figs. 46 and 47). nowadays overgrown with trees the extent of this earth rampart pretty much the vermu
The castle Koberstein long extension of Koberstein Castle with moat.
Fig. 46 Earth wall at Alt-Koberstein
Approximately at the point where the confluence the moat is suspected in today's Erbach ends also the earth wall. In this Wall could be a part the medieval fortification act. When digging the trench is obviously the excavation too used to be in front of the Moat an additional Wall as an obstacle to create. This Mound above the present day
Watercourse may have a picket fence carried. An attacker had to overcome this wall first. Behind it followed immediately the deep ditch as another obstacle behind which is then the actual castle complex with another palisade attachment he lifted. The type of fixings was quite oriented on the terrain. As the east and southeast of the Castle the hill towards Hüttenhofen increases, it seems possible that in the face of topographical Location another wall to the defense from enemies from this direction was heaped up.
The current creek south of the former castle could well be one Part of the medieval moat his. However, it is possible do not understand what changes in the course of the brook regulation in the 1930s at this Place were made.10 Da the moat about the planned course of the regulated stream it was possible that this part has not been significantly redesigned has been, but the brook in the existing ditch the castle was headed. Should this would be true, this part of the Erbach with the medieval moat identical to the castle and thus one of the few remains the castle Koberstein. Speaks for it at least the existing mound, the approximately in its entire length the extension of the castle complex equivalent. After completing
Fig.47 Earth wall at Alt-Koberstein
The castle was the location of the castle Client give a name now. Johann von Kobern chose for his new castle the name "Koberstein". Mit the name "Koberstein" On the one hand, he brought the dynastic one claim of his family expressed by the castle according to his lineage of Kobern named. Furthermore, the name on the origin of the owner
from Kobern to the Mosel reference. This was followed by Johann von Kobern the medieval custom, a castle after an older settlement to name. On the other hand interpreted the ending "-stein" on the character of the new family seat as a castle and clarified it the resilience of the knightly Burgbesitzers.11 Thus symbolized already the naming von Koberstein the power claim the noble family of Kobern, the with the construction of this castle in the row the lord of the castle had ascended (See pages 34-75). Servants often called themselves after the castle, which they receive as fief had and formed such a Dynasty of the lower nobility. At Koberstein behaved exactly conversely, here was the moated castle after their builder, the gentlemen from Kobern, named and by the ending "-stein" as attached House and castle marked.
4. The building findings
From the castle Koberstein is today as good as nothing received. However, the floor plan of the Wasserburg Koberstein opened up become. In the very dry summer In 1976, the outlines were the foundations in the meadow behind the yard Old Koberstein clearly visible, the through a withered sward colored by the grass cover stood out. That's how it was without archaeological dig an assessment of the dimensions of the former Castle Koberstein possible. At the July 14, 1976 has Horst Heinemann calibrated the foundations and then a plan of the Wasserburg created (see Fig. 48). Accordingly, the castle consisted of one rectangular main building in Northeast-southwest orientation. The dimensions of the foundation amount about 17 meters in length (in Southwest-northeast direction) to 12 Meters in width (in southeast-northwest direction). The foundation is specified with approximately 2 meters wide. The foundations are always wider than the one built on them Masonry. Therefore, a wall thickness of the rising masonry accepted at about 1.50 meters.12 This assumption is thereby supported that the average Wall thickness in medieval Castles in the west of Germany between 80 centimeters and 1.60 Meters. 13 Because the wall was safe centered on the foundation the foundation was lost the wall consequently each with 25 Centimeters. Accordingly had the castle dimensions of about 16.50 meters in length to 11.50 Meters in width. After deduction the wall thickness results from it purely mathematically a living space within the castle walls of 114.75 Square meters. But it is also possible that it is with these remnants not at all about the foundations is. It could It is also about a part of the basement vault of the Act castle. To this Keller is around later then the earth piled up to the hill Service. During construction a mott was usually first the castle to more level Earth erected and then the hill around the construction piled up ("lay up ") 14 The lower part the castle was accordingly filled with earth and was in the hill. These Spaces often served as a cellar. An artificial heaped up Hill sinks in Over time. The stability the castle was therefore endangered when the construction first after the landfill on This hill has been built would. Thus spoke
static reasons against it. The proven remains the castle Koberstein could be a part of such be cellar vaults. In this At least that would have been the case bottom floor reserved deep in the ground. Should this be true, would have to the outside dimensions of the castle with round 17 meters to 12 meters accepted become.
Fig. 48
Hand drawing of the foundations of the castle Koberstein
drawn by Horst Heinemann in the summer of 1976
Fig. 49 Foundation plan of the castle Koberstein in final artwork Final Drawing: Dipl.-Ing. Kirsten Schumann
Then, however, would be the Walls are exactly 2 meters thick been, what an unusual large wall thickness for a construction of this Extent would be. However, that is the original hill no longer available, the information regarding bring this question could, by over the height of the Hill's conclusions on a possible still buried basement vault could be drawn. Whether it is the foundations or the lowest vault of the castle Koberstein acts, ultimately only a scientifically sound archaeological excavation beyond doubt reveal. Until clarification this question is assumed here that it is at the remains around the foundations of the castle Koberstein acts. At the northeast corner of the castle Koberstein arrived - the plan from 1976 - apparently rounder Tower with a radius of about 4 to 4.50 meters. It results a foundation of around 8 to 9 Meters in diameter. Here too the foundations bigger than that they were resting masonry, will the tower - here starting from 8 meters - an approximate diameter of 7.50 meters to have. This corner tower was
applied to the two side walls to be able to fire at it from there, what a pure rectangular Building was not possible.15
Fig. 50 Map of the castle Koberstein
Graphic: Dipl.-Ing. Martin Heinemann
For a round tower at Koberstein speaks that in the outgoing middle Ages, thus exactly in the construction time the castle, the square towers in West Germany through the round or semicircular tower construction were almost completely displaced.16 Exclusively based on the Floor plan and wall thickness can not be inferred pull, whether the remains of Koberstein from a tower or a Solid house originate.17 Yes it appears due to the floor plan and the additional corner tower as sure that Koberstein a Stone house and no tower was. The clearly rectangular plan makes this assumption more likely. In addition, the additional would be Eckturm had been unnecessary, would be Koberstein designed as a tower castle Service. This also speaks for that Koberstein in the historical Sources of archives always called "house Koberstein "is called. Already in the first mention 1358 becomes the Castle with "Huis Couersteyn" 18 and "Dat huys Couerstein" 19 denotes. From the above results altogether a castle arrangement from a rectangular stone house with one round corner tower. Due to the extended floor plan is from a construction with several Floors to go out. Thereby was also the living space inside the castle decided enlarged. However, that can be appearance of the structures no longer certainly reconstruct, since almost all Remains are lost. It's just still the execution of the castle occupied as a stone house. This matches with the general development of Region, because in the Rhineland the stone buildings since the end of the 12th century the wooden ones Replacing residential towers.20 The masonry the castle Koberstein was for the construction of stables of the farm AltKoberstein reused at.21 The stables are stones in the masonry, which consequently come from the earlier castle must and to the present one of the few certificates the original castle (See Fig. 51). Accordingly acted it is at the castle Koberstein around a construction of rubble. Further notes on the shape of Koberstein delivers the historic Tradition in the archives. Out the purchase of the goods Koberstein has a description the Wasserburg Koberstein from the
Fig. 51 Masonry from the stones of the castle Koberstein
Years 1588 ago: "... Unfinished in objetemelttem remind us of use Burgseeß and Hauß [Koberstein] surrounded by a water dig And some vorthers dig a water which around all the prey samptt the Burgseeß of the place standing begreiffet surrounds, like dan raided at the same time are there, and outside these, stands jhenseidt of the moat the Burgk a Vorhoff, in the midst of it hunted ... "22 Accordingly, the nobility seat was surrounded by a moat, which includes the entire castle the farm buildings. In addition, the real one was Castle construction, the fortified house, apparently again by a secured another ditch23, which itself from the large surrounding moat dined. Before this inner Moat was the Forecourt with its buildings. Size Motts indeed had one inner ring on which the fortified Castle stood and the one by one another ditch from within of the surrounding the entire plant Grabens lying farm buildings was separated. Thus, Koberstein is one of typical mott to go out. From the year 1581 is occupied that there is a door on or at the Bridge, apparently over the Moat to the castle Koberstein led and access to the noble seat locked. Outside the moat also have some more Outbuildings existed have, at least, a bakery was off the ditch.24 The rural noble residence of the Westerwald were mostly as Wasserburg built. As a rule, they had a castle gate, which over a bridge in the form of a bridge or a Dam could be achieved. Especially with the smaller castles There were usually solid wooden bridges. At approach of the enemy These wooden bridges were easy be destroyed, so that easily no way to overcome the ditch was given.25 However, one came in 1990 at work near the former moat on foundational remains the side of the trench. You could attributed to a stone bridge his. It is conceivable that in the 14th century the bridge already made of stone was built or that an existing Wooden bridge later by ones succession stone was replaced. The exact location of the bridge leaves do not call themselves sure. Provided the foundations actually found counting to the bridge existed a transition from the northwest Direction of the farm Alt-Koberstein. It is very likely that access via the bridge west across the ditch took place. In the west of the moat is the driest Point of Alt-Koberstein, so that this is the location of the bridge could suggest. The oral Lore after led by There, a way to Bachen-that this is the location of the bridge could suggest. The oral Lore after led by up the mountain, which later became Lindenallee should have been created. This Way certainly led to the nobility seat and had his starting point the bridge to the castle. It follows, that the access to the castle Koberstein probably from the west or northwest ago. You may still have one further access exists. 1588 becomes in the description of Koberstein belonging goods a rider's path mentions: "... and work on the rider pathways, from rider paths over the Bergh [...] bite on the Haen, Negth the Paffenseiffenn ... "26 East the former Wasserburg finds a ravine in the direction of Hüttenhofen, the exactly to the former Castle Koberstein leads. In this Way will be in all probability after the equestrian trail act. By definition, this was a path that is not with teams could be driven and only was suitable for riding.27 Eventually there was another one from the east Access to the castle, to which the Rider path led. Then you would have to there is still another bridge have given. At the Erdwall above of today's creek is south of the castle a landfill to recognize. But there is one Bridge or a bridge for the riders has passed, can not be with Say certainty. Certainly need but at the moated castle two Bridges have existed, one of the Moat in the forecourt and one more from the forecourt to the actual Burgbau. Found timbered beams, the beginning of the 20th century to build a bridge over the Erbach have been used28, could be assigned to a roof truss be, from which would follow that the castle is not flat, but one had sloped roof. An execution the castle in half-timbered construction On the other hand, it seems unlikely. Otherwise, they can probably only from a later construction or from a come from the farm building. In the historical sources is attested that Koberstein around 1630 was dilapidated and costly repaired had to become. Under Another thing was to renovate the house and besides, the buildings should be covered in the forecourt again and underpin.29 If the found beams belonged to the castle, could the moated castle to this Time repaired with truss have been. To the assignment the half-timbered beam to eIbb.
Fig. 52
Medieval water pipe from Koberstein
to allow a construction phase of the castle, would have the age of these bars be determined. This could only be done through a dendrochronological Investigation or radiocarbon dating (Radiocarbon) accomplish. Southeast of the former castle you found handmade in the forest Clay pipes, the castle construction attributed to the Middle Ages.30 These are pipes reddish clay on one side Side a projecting opening exhibit and focus on the other Rejuvenate the side (See Fig. 52). From the operation similar to modern Water pipes, these could Pipes plugged into each other and sealed become and formed like that a pressure pipeline. More likely Starting point of this Water pipe can be a source socket in the forest near the Kobersteiner Cemetery southeast of the moated castle be accepted. The Water supply of the farm AltKoberstein was until the 1950s Years from there. With his stone house and tower, the surrounding moat with Wall and probably also Palisades and the forecourt together Commercial buildings corresponds to Koberstein thus the typical nobility seat of the 13th and 14th centuries in the Westerwald.
5. The attempt of a Reconstruction of the
Castle Koberstein
To further conclusions on that appearance of the castle Koberstein too draw, have comparisons with others Burgenbauten be hired. The first question is the outer one Shape of the moated castle. In particular the number of floors and the shape of the roof as well the building material used is significant for a possible reconstruction from Koberstein. by virtue of the proven foundation remains you can of a construction go out with several floors. This was also the living space decided within the castle greater. Already at festive houses from the 10th to the 12th century settled in terms of floor number notice: "Usually We may well from two to three storeys go out. "31 This can therefore also transferred to Koberstein become. n the ground floor were basement and further storerooms housed. The first floor housed the living rooms of the lord of the castle and also served to represent, often there was a Hall that serves as a reception or dining room was used, but the same often completely missing. in the second floor were located additional living rooms for the rest Residents of the castle, such as more Family members or the Service personnel (servants) .32 out- from one compared to Early and high Middle Ages something upscale Living style in the 14th century and derived from a partial more generous construction on the one hand as well as from the ground plan and the apparent extension of the noble seat on the other hand appears at the size of the castle the Three storey reconstruction convincing. At three floors arises without interior walls or similar one Living area of about 344.25 square meters. If you pull the tower in the area calculation, which in each floor again in addition offered about 16 square meters of space, can be for the castle Koberstein one purely mathematical living space of about 392 square meters determine. Even if this area through interior walls or others spatial facilities still reduced, so arises for the castle Koberstein a total right stately and spacious aristocratic residence. For the entrance to the castle exist two possibilities. Access could through both the ground floor as well as through the first floor respectively. Upstairs then there was a door that reached via an outside staircase could.33 These stairs was mostly made of wood and could simply destroyed in case of danger, so that the entrance to the castle for one Opponents initially unreachable was. The entrance through the ground floor was, however, by a simple to reach the door. This was less complicated but also offered less protection, if the enemy is up broken through to the main building of the castle was. The window openings were at castles in the western Part of Germany very small, since them a defensive function occurred. Mostly they were just pure light shafts, not even a meter were wide. Larger windows are in the rule of later times.34 SimilarlyTherefore, the windows become small the castle Koberstein accept his. From all these indications can be an approximate picture of the original one Castle from the 14th century to draw. For an impression from the long-dilapidated castle Koberstein to win, all these are Clues in the following summarized hypothetical reconstruction. For this presentation became the plan of 1976 based on which the foundations, Proportions and dimensions derived from the castle. It must however, it is explicitly pointed out be that just that Reconstruction of the constructions exclusively based on assumptions
other castle buildings of this time based. Nevertheless, here is an impression given the castle Koberstein (See Fig. 53 on the following Page). In the Westerwald came the castle construction in the 14th century
Fig. 53
Hypothetical reconstruction of the castle Koberstein
Reconstruction: Dipl.-Archivist (FH) Daniel Schneider, Drawing: Dipl.-Ing. Kirsten Schumann
Fig. 54
Development of the reconstruction from the foundation plan Drawing: Dipl.-Ing. Kirsten Schumann
times to a climax while in other German areas the Construction of castles long ago declining was. This is mainly due to the different territorial interests the great sovereigns of the Rhineland, which also in the Westerwald as a peripheral area of the Rhineland met.35 Exactly in this phase falls the construction of the castle Koberstein .
6. The function as a noble seat
The newly built Wasserburg Koberstein was by the new lords of the castle henceforth as the headquarters of her Used noble family. In the aftermath they called themselves after their new Castle Knights of Koberstein, first Johann von Koberstein in the year 1359.36 From their new seat practiced the Gentlemen of Koberstein now also their sovereign rights. The Castle lord of the Middle Ages had next door his military function mostly peaceful tasks perceive. His economic Basis was mainly based on the yield of his possessions. To the castle Koberstein belonged one chivalrous landlord of Gentlemen of Koberstein with extensive agricultural goods." In the center of a knightly manorial rule was usually a castle with farmyard, village rule and hearkening peasants to themselves in the neighboring villages more land and sovereign rights grouped. [...] Most knightly nobility Landlords owned in the late Middle Ages still self-managed goods, the the self-sufficiency of the stately household served. "37 These features also hit Koberstein too. Starting from her operated new family seat the lords of Koberstein an extensive Agriculture, to which some Courtyards in the northern Westerwald and free float in the Rhineland.38 In that regard, was in Koberstein the idealistic landlord of a Knights of the Middle Ages ago. The Farmers had to be masters of Koberstein Pay and in the usually an annual work service afford, for example at the harvest or at Construction work on the castle. Moreover they were often smaller Duties committed in kind.
Castles as residences nobleman Landlords were usually from the low jurisdiction of Rulers, in this case the Counts of Sayn, except. If it came to a trial, he had to Afflicted nobles usually only before the Court court of the territory appear, but not before the lower courts. This immunity of the estate or the castle has too to the family of the local nobleman and the addicts living there extends.39 Koberstein counted indeed not the area of responsibility of the district court Altenkirchen, but as a noble seat comparable Widderstein.40 Therefore Koberstein apparently came up with one noble immunity too. As a noble seat found Koberstein also entrance into the German literature. A rider of the outgoing Middle Ages has its experiences around the year 1450 in one recorded a longer poem, in which he gives an insight into the Living conditions in the middle of the 15th century. Beside his Experiences at court of the former Landlords and landlords reported the rider also of the events in the inns or stables. This horseman visited next to many other places the castle Koberstein and led to it meaningful from:"Kompstu for the Westerwalt, there it is cold in summer and winter. To Schonstein and Koberstein
is poor servant win even small. You have to keep the roads in there, because it is too na on the county of being. "41 The treatment of the Reiters in Koberstein still a relative mild judgment, others Nobles and even princes in the west Germany were even with small and large birds of prey compared. Already at his next Abode in the Bergisch Land the rider is not benevolent been recorded so that after his departure from Koberstein reported:"Ride in the land to mountain, there is also a bad master: he has a brother who wont in Sauerlandt - I want it to be burned! "42 In the overall picture is his treatment in Koberstein accordingly been relatively good. If his profit was not great, so he could at least in Koberstein another honest merit Find. At other noble seats is this rider, however, without food for humans and animals entirely dismissed.43
7. The decline of the castle Koberstein
The decline of the castle began of the 18th century, as the Owners of Koberstein frequently changed. After 1737 the Wasserburg lost also the function as a noble seat, after the last aristocratic owners, that even in Koberstein had lived, died. Koberstein has now been leased and exclusively as agricultural Well maintained."The time has come, where the Wasserburg the decay was revealed. Was she in yet? wet terrain, surrounded by ponds, Swamp and forest. "44 After the Death of the then owner Gottlob Heinrich Ehrenfried von Nauendorf is the estate Koberstein with all Buildings have been inherited. In his Testament of 1819, in which the Hereditary goods were described only from a two-story Wooden house, two barns as well as stables for the cattle the speech, the castle Koberstein - or at least a stone house - found in this testament no mention more.45 Consequently, the castle Koberstein already largely destroyed in 1819 have been. It can now also the decay of the castle in the years dated between about 1740 and 1819
become. On the meaning of Koberstein as a noble seat with knightly Manorial rule up to the Present the hall names "In Junkerfeld" as well as "Aufm Junkerfeld" out. These field names refer on a plot, which was in the possession of a Junkers.46 Since the late Middle Ages has been the term "Junker" in addition to his meaning as a young nobleman in particular for a noble landowner second hand. The parcels with this name was after the description the one belonging to Koberstein goods from 1588 all in the Property of the farm Koberstein. The connections to the story von Koberstein as nobleman of the Middle Ages are to the youngest Time out of these hall names in Obererbach.