Central Europe

Author's Note: This feature is a direct translation of the German-language document entitled Grafengeschlect der Gisonen and die Burg Hollende bei Treisbach, by Kai-Hubert Weiss (KHW). While the translation is accurate, efforts have been made to correct any mistakes by the original author. Reasoning for such corrections has been provided, and extra information has been added where possible.

In an imperial document from Fulda dated to 1049, it mentions a Count Giso amongst the followers of Heinrich III. It can be assumed that it also relates to the Count Giso who belonged to the close circle around Heinrich IV (Diefenbach 120 f), and who appeared to be the mastermind behind a sensational and devious/sneaky machination. This intrigue would, however, cost him his life. [8]

Following the death of his father, Heinrich IV ascended the throne at the tender age of six. His mother, Empress Agnes of Poitou, took over as regent. As part of her policy she enfeoffed Rudolf of Rheinfelden with the duchy of Swabia and Otto of Nordheim with the duchy of Bavaria. Giving out these important crown estates to uncertain followers better ensured their loyalty and diminished her son's political manoeuvrability considerably. [9]

As a result, the royal house no longer possessed any duchies/dukedoms and after he had taken office in his own right in 1065, Heinrich IV tried to improve his rule by keeping hold of his remaining possessions and also claiming (or clawing) back the 'lost' duchies. In this respect he had a particular regard for those areas of Saxony and Thuringia which adjoined his own lands. As he proceeded against the estates and fiefs of Otto von Nordheim on the western and southern edges of the Harz Mountains which stood in the way of his goal, open conflict developed as Otto rose up in opposition. [10]

During the Whitsun holidays in the year 1070, Heinrich IV stayed in Fritzlar. Whilst there, a minor nobleman of ill repute appeared on the scene by the name of Egeno. He raised a [serious] charge against Otto von Nordheim. He claimed that he had been hired by Otto to kill the king. As evidence, he presented the sword which had allegedly been given to him to carry out this very act to all those present at the time.

This was a very serious charge (and one which could not be ignored). Despite the accused Otto maintaining his innocence he was nevertheless challenged to a decisive duel (combat à l'outrance), [11] with Egeno [the outcome of which would be considered to be] the judgement of God. [12] The duel would take place in the presence of the king. The duke of Bavaria was held in high esteem by the princes, [13] and this demand that he should restore his honour and clear himself of the charge through a duel with someone who was regarded as being little better than a common highwayman caused feelings [of indignation] to run high.

When Otto firstly made impossible demands (Gebhard 25I), and then refused to appear altogether, Heinrich imposed his decree, stripping Otto of the duchy of Bavaria and adding Otto's possessions to his own. Since Frankish times this had been a legal consequence of such a refusal. Any person so sentenced lost his right to protection, became an outlaw - in German 'the friend of wolves' - and like any wolf or bird could be killed with impunity.

Otto resorted to arms and after allying himself with Magnus Billung, son of the duke of Saxony, went forth into battle [but alas to no avail], both being beaten by the beginning of 1071, forced to submit to the mercy of the king, and taken into custody [imprisoned].

[So how does conspiracy and Count Giso II fit into all of this?]

The answer is simple. Count Giso of Hollende and Count Adalbert of Schauenburg were the instigators, movers, and shakers of a very nasty plot. Either acting in support of Heinrich IV, or perhaps even acting on his orders, they put a plan together, formulated the accusation [against Otto] using their already-paid-for tool, Egeno, and then went public. The aim was the complete disempowerment of the duke of Bavaria and the expropriation of his entire possessions, which would have made direct access to Saxony and Thuringia an easy matter for Heinrich IV.

[So what went wrong? The almighty German clergy, that's what.]

As a result of the intercession of Archbishop Adalbert of Bremen, Otto was pardoned a year later and, while he had to give up some of his fiefs, he nevertheless held on to his family estate which had been acquired before the feudal system, with only Magnus Billung remaining in prison. The conflict, however, was far from over and after discussions with the Saxons it had become a case of hanging fire - ie. forming a truce.

When in 1073 King Heinrich invited others to join him in a campaign against Poland, the Saxon princes (fürsten) demanded that before any participation on their part, he dealt with their complaints first. As a result of the king rejecting this demand, the Saxons formulated their own conspiracy, their leader being none other than Otto von Nordheim.

When the king sent an embassy in an effort to stall proceedings, the immediate response was to get an army together and attack Heinrich in Harzburg [Grosse Harzburg is a former imperial castle on the western edge of the Harz Mountains], where he was staying at the time. Heinrich was obliged to flee to Hessen (directly south where he still had possessions), as he was not well placed to meet the strong Saxons in battle. The insurgency spread all over Saxony and Thuringia with a number of important castles falling into enemy hands (Gebhard 251).

The chronicler, Lampert of Hersfeld, mentions [in his chronicle] the following incident for the same year: [14]

Giso quoque comes et Adalbertus cum quatuor filiis suis ( ) ob hostibus suis ob privatas quasdam inimicicias occisi sunt in castello ipsius Gisonis Hollenden [Reuling 416]. [15]

Count Giso and Adalbert, along with their four sons whether because of (high-ranking) enemies or more personal hostilities, were killed in the castle of Hollende which pertained to Giso.

Otto von Nordheim had, through this bloody deed, finally rid himself of the author(s) of his misfortune. Even Egeno, Otto's accuser, was not spared an inglorious end. According to Lampert von Herfseld, he was taken after another highway robbery, blinded, and left for the rest of his days as a beggar, going from from house to house.

Thanks to this literary [documented] account of Giso von Hollende's death there can be no doubt that by this time Burg Hollende had become the family seat and can therefore certainly be considered to be the actual home of the Giso dynasty (Diefenbach 115).

A sketch of Burg Hollende dated 1247 shows what was probably the complete castle, although it would have been built up and improved in stages

Main Sources

Meiborg, Christa - Die Hollende bei Wetter (Hessen)-Warzenbach. Führungsblatt zu der Burg der Grafen Giso im Kreis Marburg-Biedenkopf, Archäologische Denkmäler in Hessen, Heft 157, Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen, Wiesbaden, 2003

Weiss, Kai-Hubert - Grafengeschlect der Gisonen and die Burg Hollende bei Treisbach

Dietrich, Christoph von Rommel - Geschichte von Hessen, Volume 1

Weller, Tobias - Die Heiratspolitik des deutschen Hochadels im 12. Jarhundert

Wencks, Helfrich Bernhard - Hessische Landesgescichte, Volume 3

Schmidt, Johannes Ernst Chistroph - Geschichte des Grossherzogthums Hessen

Verlag, Vittorio Klostermann - Hessen und das Stammesherzogtum Sachsen

Internet Sources

Dt.wiki - Die Gisonen

www.hoeckmann.de - Geschichte der Landgraftschaft Hessen, Kassel Teil 1

www.myheritage.com - Giso von Gudensberg

This new translation and expansion of Grafengeschlect der Gisonen and die Burg Hollende bei Treisbach by Kai-Hubert Weiss copyright © Trish Wilson. An original feature for the History Files.