# Counts of Montfort (Swabia)

The Counts of Montfort were a German noble dynasty from Swabia. They belonged to high nobility of the Holy Roman Empire and enjoyed the privileged status of Imperial immediacy.
The influential and wealthy counts of Montfort took their name from an ancestral castle named Montfort, which was situated close to today's Swiss border near Weiler, in the present-day Austrian state of Vorarlberg.
As the lords of Feldkirch (until 1390), Bregenz (until 1523), and Tettnang (until 1779), they would have a decisive influence on the development of not just Vorarlberg, but also Upper Swabia and Eastern Switzerland.

## History

The counts held the lordships of the County of Feldkirch (until 1390), County of Bregenz (until 1523) and Tettnang (until 1779). They had territories in Upper Swabia and particularly in Vorarlberg, most of which they ruled. Until the 18th century, the counts were a remarkable family of the high nobility, the most important in the region of Lake Constance, but the line eventually became extinct. In a number of places, including Feldkirch, Bregenz and Langenargen, there are still signs of their history.
The counts of Montfort were originally a branch of another Swabian noble family, the counts palatine of Tübingen. Hugo II of Tübingen (d. 1182) married Elizabeth of Bregenz, and through her, Hugo would take ownership over the former territories of the counts of Bregenz, including Bregenz itself, Montfort, and Sigmaringen, making him a dominant power in the region. His marriage to Elizabeth would also provide him with close family ties to Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and the Welfs (like Barbarossa and Henry the Lion, Elizabeth was a grandchild of the Welf duke Henry IX of Bavaria).
Upon the death of Hugo II, the majority of the former Bregenz territories would go to his second son, Hugo III (d.1228/1230), who after about 1200 would style himself "Hugo of Montfort". His territories as count included Raetia Curiensis, Tettnang, Bregenz, Feldkirch, Sonnenberg, Werdenberg, and Sargans. The new House of Montfort would adopt the arms of the County Palatine of Tübingen, but the Montfort arms would feature a red gonfalon on a silver shield instead of a gold one.
Hugo's older brother Rudolph I (1160-1219) continued the original line of the counts palatine; nevertheless, five generations later Gottfried II (d.1369) would be forced to sell Tübingen to the County of Württemberg and drop the title of count palatine in favor of the ordinary Count of Tübingen. He did, however, inherit Lichteneck via his wife Clara of Freiburg, and thenceforth his descendants would bear the title Count of Tübingen-Lichteneck. Next to Montfort-Tettang, this line would be the longest-lasting branch of the family, lasting until 1664.
Around 1779, Tettnang was sold to the Austrian House of Habsburg in order to pay debts. Several years later, the line became extinct upon the death of Count Anton IV in 1787. The Habsburgs added the Montfort lands to their Further Austrian possessions.

### Montfort-Feldkirch

Hugo I of Montfort founded Feldkirch in the early years of the 13th century, building his castle (called "Schattenburg") on a hill overlooking the town. The town and castle would become the focal point of the Montfort-Feldkirch territories, with Schattenburg taking the place of the original Montfort castle. In 1375, burgrave Rudolph IV of Montfort sold the fiefdom to the Habsburg Duke Leopold III of Austria.

### Montfort-Bregenz

Hugo II of Tübingen (†1182) inherited the County of Bregenz via his wife, Elizabeth of Bregenz. The Montfort-Bregenz branch of the dynasty continued until the middle of the 14th century, when its lands fell to Montfort-Tettnang, which starting in 1354 would be known as Montfort-Tettnang-Bregenz. This house would produce at least one figure of historical significance, the minstrel (Minnesänger) and statesman Hugo of Montfort (1357–1423).
In 1362 Hugo inherited the lands of the counts of Pfannberg via his wife Margaret. Hugo took residence at Pfannberg Castle in 1401, joining the Styrian nobility. The family would sell Pfannberg Castle in 1524 and move their residence to Peggau Castle, renaming themselves Montfort-Bregenz-Beckach (the contemporary form of Peggau).
In 1451, a portion of the Montfort-Bregenz territory was sold to the Habsburgs by Elizabeth of Hochberg, heir of Count William VII (†1422) of Montfort. The rest of the original Bregenz territories would be sold in 1523, though the Styrian branch of the family retained the Montfort-Tettnang lands until the extinction of the dynasty in 1787.

## Counts of Montfort

Below, a list of the counts of Montfort, numbered by order of ascension:

### House of Tübingen
#### Partitions of Montfort under Tübingen rule

County of Montfort (1208-1260) :
| County of Feldkirch (1260-1375) | County of Tettnang (1260-1520) | County of Tettnang (1260-1520) | County of Tettnang (1260-1520) | County of Bregenz (1st creation) (1260-1338) | County of Bregenz (1st creation) (1260-1338) |
| Sold to Austria | | | | | |
| Sold to Austria | | | | County of Bregenz (2nd creation) (1353-1443) | County of Pfannberg (1379-1524) Renamed County of Peggau (1524-1779) |
| Sold to Austria | | County of Rothenfels (1438-1576) | County of Werdenberg (1438-1483) | County of Bregenz (2nd creation) (1353-1443) | County of Pfannberg (1379-1524) Renamed County of Peggau (1524-1779) |
| Sold to Austria | | County of Rothenfels (1438-1576) | County of Werdenberg (1438-1483) | Sold to Austria | County of Pfannberg (1379-1524) Renamed County of Peggau (1524-1779) |
| Sold to Austria | | County of Rothenfels (1438-1576) | County of Werdenberg (1438-1483) | County of Bregenz (3rd creation, half of previous county) (1482-1525) | County of Pfannberg (1379-1524) Renamed County of Peggau (1524-1779) |
| Sold to Austria | | | | Sold to Austria | County of Pfannberg (1379-1524) Renamed County of Peggau (1524-1779) |
| County of Pfannberg (1379-1524) Renamed County of Peggau (1524-1779) |||
| Sold to Austria | Sold to Königsegg | Sold to Königsegg | Sold to Königsegg | Sold to Austria | Sold to Austria |

#### Table of rulers

(Note: Here the numbering of the counts is the same for all counties, as all were titled Counts of Montfort, despite the different parts of land or particular numbering of the rulers. The counts are numbered by the year of their succession.)
| Ruler | Born | Reign | Death | Ruling part | Consort | Notes |
| Hugo I | c.1160 | 1208-1228 | 1228 or 12 March 1230/4 | Montfort | Matilda of Eschenbach-Schnabelburg two children Matilda of Wangen five children | Son of Count Palatine Hugo of Tübingen, was the first count of Montfort, and the founder of the Montfort branch. |
| Hugo II | c.1195 | 1228-1257/60 | 11/15 August 1257/60 | Montfort | Elisabeth of Burgau eight children | Sons of Hugo I, ruled together until 1230, when Rudolph inherited Werdenberg. Henry became bishop at Chur in 1251. For Rudolph I's descendants see Counts of Werdenberg. After Hugo's death the county was divided. |
| Henry I | c.1190 | 1228-1251 | 14 November 1272 | Montfort | Unmarried | Sons of Hugo I, ruled together until 1230, when Rudolph inherited Werdenberg. Henry became bishop at Chur in 1251. For Rudolph I's descendants see Counts of Werdenberg. After Hugo's death the county was divided. |
| Rudolph I | c.1190 | 1228-1230 | September 1244, 7 October 1247 or 19 May 1248 | Montfort | Clementia of Kyburg c.1230 six children | Sons of Hugo I, ruled together until 1230, when Rudolph inherited Werdenberg. Henry became bishop at Chur in 1251. For Rudolph I's descendants see Counts of Werdenberg. After Hugo's death the county was divided. |
| Ulrich I | ? | 1260-1287 | 7 April 1287 | Montfort-Bregenz | Agnes of Helfenstein c.1272 two children | Son of Hugo II, inherited Bregenz. |
| Henry III | ? | 1260-c.1280? | 17 January 1307 | Montfort-Bregenz | Unmarried | Son of Hugo II, possibly co-ruled with Ulrich in Bregenz, which was probably the part which retained the main of the original county. As he was already cited as canon at Chur in 1282, he probably left the rule of the county earlier. |
| Rudolph II | ? | 1260-1302 | 19 October 1302 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Agnes of Groningen c.1265 seven children | Son of Hugo II, inherited Feldkirch. |
| Hugo III | ? | 1260-1309 | 21 May or 5 December 1309 | Montfort-Tettnang | Elisabeth two children | Son of Hugo II, inherited Tettnang. |
| Hugo IV | ? | 1287-1338 | 26 July 1338 | Montfort-Bregenz | Unmarried | Sold half of Bregenz to Austria. Left no descendants and Bregenz was annexed to Tettnang. |
| Ulrich II | 1266 | 1302-1343 | 17 February 1350 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Unmarried | Sons of Rudolph III, ruled jointly. Rudolph became, in 1322, Bishop of Constance, and probably had to abdicate form the county. During the co-rulership, the brothers favored the settlement of Jews in Feldkirch. In 1343 his nephews forced Ulrich to abdicate. |
| Rudolph III | ? | 1302-1322 | 27/8 March 1334 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Unmarried | Sons of Rudolph III, ruled jointly. Rudolph became, in 1322, Bishop of Constance, and probably had to abdicate form the county. During the co-rulership, the brothers favored the settlement of Jews in Feldkirch. In 1343 his nephews forced Ulrich to abdicate. |
| Hugo V | ? | 1302-1310 | 11 August 1310 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Anna of Veringen eight children | Sons of Rudolph III, ruled jointly. Rudolph became, in 1322, Bishop of Constance, and probably had to abdicate form the county. During the co-rulership, the brothers favored the settlement of Jews in Feldkirch. In 1343 his nephews forced Ulrich to abdicate. |
| Frederick | ? | 1310-1321 | 25 March 1321 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Unmarried | Sons of Hugo V, co-ruled with their uncle. |
| Berthold | ? | 1310-1318 | 18 January 1318 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Unmarried | Sons of Hugo V, co-ruled with their uncle. |
| William I | ? | 1309-1338 | c.1350 | Montfort-Tettnang | Elisabeth von Schlüsselberg one child Maria Anna Magdalena von Schwarzenberg no children Kunigunde from the House of Rappoltstein four children Unknown no children | Inherited Bregenz in 1338. After his death his sons divided the land. |
| William I | ? | 1338-1348/50 | c.1350 | Montfort-Tettnang and Montfort-Bregenz | Elisabeth von Schlüsselberg one child Maria Anna Magdalena von Schwarzenberg no children Kunigunde from the House of Rappoltstein four children Unknown no children | Inherited Bregenz in 1338. After his death his sons divided the land. |
| Rudolph IV the Elder | ? | 1343-1375 | 1375 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Unmarried | Sons of Hugo V, were ruling jointly with their uncle (Ulrich II) and brothers (Berthold and Frederick) since 1310. However, they gained more independence after deposing their uncle in 1343. |
| Hugo VI | ? | 1343-c.1360 | c.1360 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Margaret of Furstenberg no children Bertha of Kirchberg c.1341 two children | Sons of Hugo V, were ruling jointly with their uncle (Ulrich II) and brothers (Berthold and Frederick) since 1310. However, they gained more independence after deposing their uncle in 1343. |
| Ulrich III | ? | 1359-c.1362 | c.1362 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Unmarried | Eldest son of Rudolph IV, probably co-ruled with his father after his uncle Hugo's death. |
| Hugo VII | ? | 1348/50 - 1354 | 3 November 1354 | Montfort-Tettnang | Unmarried | Son of William I, inherited Tettnang. Had no descendants and the comital throne passed to his brother Henry. |
| William II | ? | 1348/50 - 1373/4 | 18 May 1373 or 14 June 1374 | Montfort-Bregenz | Unknown one child Ursula de Ferrette 1354 no children Margaret of Schaumberg 26 March 1369 or 16 June 1373 no children | Son of William I, inherited Bregenz. After his death his grandchildren divided the land. |
| William III | ? | 1348/50 - 1368 | 19 October 1368 | Montfort-Bregenz | Ursula of Hohenberg c.1367 two children | Son of William II, co-ruled with his father, predeceasing him. |
| Henry IV | ? | 1354-1407/8 | 1407/8 | Montfort-Tettnang | Adelaide of Habsburg-Laufenburg before 1370 four children Klara von Ellenbach one child | |
| Henry V | ? | c.1380?-1395 | c.1395 | Montfort-Tettnang | Anna of Waldburg one child | Son of Henry I, co-ruled with his father, predeceasing him. |
| Conrad | ? | 1373/4-1393 | 1393 | Montfort-Bregenz | Agnes of Montfort-Feldkirch two children | Son of William II, co-ruled with his father, predeceasing him. Through his marriage became son-in-law of Hugo VI. |
| Hugo VIII | 1357 | 1373/4-1423 | 4 April 1423 | Montfort-Pfannberg | Margaret of Pfannberg c.1373 one child Clementia of Toggenburg before 1401 no children Anna of Neuhaus before 1426 one child | Son of William III, inherited Montfort. He was also a minnesinger (troubadour). |
| Ulrich IV | ? | c.1390-1410? | c.1410? | Montfort-Pfannberg | Judith of Stadeck before 1410 two children | Son of Hugo VIII, co-ruled with his father, predeceasing him. |
| Rudolph V the Younger | ? | 1375 | 16 November 1390 | Montfort-Feldkirch | Unmarried | In 1375 sold the county to the Habsburgs. |
| In 1375, Feldkirch was sold to the Archduchy of Austria ||||||||
| William IV | ? | 1393-1422 | 1422 | Montfort-Bregenz | Kunigunde of Toggenburg September/October 1387 one child | |
| William V | ? | 1408-1439 | 1439 | Montfort-Tettnang | Kunigunde of Werdenberg-Bludenz one child | Sons of Henry I, ruled jointly. After William's death, his sons divided the land into Tettnang, Werdenberg and Rothenfels. |
| Rudolph VI | ? | 1408-1425 | 8 December 1425 | Montfort-Tettnang | Unmarried | Sons of Henry I, ruled jointly. After William's death, his sons divided the land into Tettnang, Werdenberg and Rothenfels. |
| John I | ? | 1425-c.1431 | c.1431 | Montfort-Tettnang | Unmarried | Probably co-ruled with his father after the death of his uncle Rudolph. |
| Elisabeth | ? | 1422-1443 | 4 June 1458 | Montfort-Bregenz | Eberhard of Nellenburg c.1413 one child William, Margrave of Hachberg-Sausenberg 17 August 1422 or 23 February 1424 (annulled 1436) two children | Last countess of Bregenz. In 1443 she sold the county to Austria. |
| In 1443 Bregenz was sold to the Archduchy of Austria ||||||||
| Stephen | After 1401 | 1423-1437 | 14/27 August 1437 | Montfort-Pfannberg | Unmarried | Ruled jointly. Stephen was an uncle of Herman I, who was son of Ulrich IV. |
| Herman I | ? | 1423-1434/5 | 22 January 1434 or 24 July 1435 | Montfort-Pfannberg | Margareta of Celje 15 March 1430 four children | Ruled jointly. Stephen was an uncle of Herman I, who was son of Ulrich IV. |
| Herman II | ? | 1437-1482 | 1482 | Montfort-Pfannberg | Cecilia of Liechtenstein-Murau 1462 five children | Sons of Herman I, ruled jointly. |
| John II | ? | 1437-1469 | April 1469 | Montfort-Pfannberg | A woman from the Sternberg family no children | Sons of Herman I, ruled jointly. |
| George I | ? | 1437-1447 | 1447 | Montfort-Pfannberg | Unmarried | Sons of Herman I, ruled jointly. |
| Ulrich V the Elder | ? | 1439-1495 | 29 September 1495 | Montfort-Tettnang | Ursula of Hachberg 1467 one child | Sons of William V, ruled jointly. |
| Rudolph VII | ? | 1439-1445 | 11 December 1445 | Montfort-Tettnang | Beatrice of Helfenstein no children | Sons of William V, ruled jointly. |
| Henry VI | | 1439-1444 | 23 November 1444 | Montfort-Werdenberg | Unknown one child | Son of William V, inherited Werdenberg. |
| Hugo IX | | 1439-1491 | 16 October 1491 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Elisabeth of Werdenberg-Heiligenberg before 1462 one child Elisabeth of Hohenlohe (d.24 December 1488)before 1488 one child | Son of William V, inherited Rothenfels. |
| William VI | ? | 1444-1483 | 5 February 1483 | Montfort-Werdenberg | Clementia von Hewen two children | Left no descendants. Werdenberg merged in Rothenfels. |
| In 1483 Werdenberg was annexed by Rothenfels. ||||||||
| In 1482 half of Bregenz was recovered by Hugo, son of Herman II. ||||||||
| Hugo X | ? | 1482-1525 | 1550 | Montfort-Bregenz | Veronica of Waldburg no children | Son of Herman II, bought half of Bregenz for himself, just to sell it once more in 1525. |
| In 1525 the half of Bregenz was sold again to the Archduchy of Austria. ||||||||
| George II | ? | 1482-1544 | March/30 May 1544 | Montfort-Pfannberg (1482-1524) Montfort-Peggau (1524-1544) | Catherine of Poland after 1522 one child | Sons of Herman II, ruled jointly. John was a canon in Salzburg. |
| Herman III | ? | 1482-1515 | 1515 | Montfort-Pfannberg | Unmarried | Sons of Herman II, ruled jointly. John was a canon in Salzburg. |
| John III | ? | 1482-1483 | c.1483 | Montfort-Pfannberg | Unmarried | Sons of Herman II, ruled jointly. John was a canon in Salzburg. |
| John IV | ? | 1491-1529 | 19 September 1529 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Apollonia of Kirchberg before 1518 no children Magdalena of Oettingen 23 June 1524 no children | Half-brothers, ruled jointly. John and his full brothers, Ulrich (who became Knight Hospitaller) and Henry (who became canon at Augsburg and Strasbourg) left no descendants and were succeeded by his nephews, sons of Hugo XI, their half-brother. |
| Ulrich VI | ? | 1491-1520 | 16 April 1520 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Unmarried | Half-brothers, ruled jointly. John and his full brothers, Ulrich (who became Knight Hospitaller) and Henry (who became canon at Augsburg and Strasbourg) left no descendants and were succeeded by his nephews, sons of Hugo XI, their half-brother. |
| Henry VII | ? | 1491-1512 | 12 January 1512 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Unmarried | Half-brothers, ruled jointly. John and his full brothers, Ulrich (who became Knight Hospitaller) and Henry (who became canon at Augsburg and Strasbourg) left no descendants and were succeeded by his nephews, sons of Hugo XI, their half-brother. |
| Hugo XI | ? | 1491-1519 | 24 April 1519 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Anna of the Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Bitsch four children | Half-brothers, ruled jointly. John and his full brothers, Ulrich (who became Knight Hospitaller) and Henry (who became canon at Augsburg and Strasbourg) left no descendants and were succeeded by his nephews, sons of Hugo XI, their half-brother. |
| Ulrich VII The Younger | Before 1439 | 1495-1520 | 23 April 1520 | Montfort-Tettnang | Magdalena of Oettingen 24 February 1485 no children | Left no surviving descendants. Tettnang merged in Rothenfels. |
| William VII | c.1485 | 1495-1509 | 8 January 1509 | Montfort-Tettnang | Unmarried | Co-ruled with his father, but predecesed him. |
| In 1520 Tettnang was annexed by Rothenfels. ||||||||
| Hugo XII | c.1500 | 1529-1564 | 21 November 1564 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Maria Magdalena of Schwarzenberg before 1543 six children | Sons of Hugo XI, ruled jointly. |
| John V (II) | c.1490 | 1529-1547 | 1547 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Jeanne d'Arenberg c.1535 no children | Sons of Hugo XI, ruled jointly. |
| Wolfgang I | ? | 1529-1541 | 21 March 1541 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Eleonore of Wolfstein before 1523 no children | Sons of Hugo XI, ruled jointly. |
| Jacob | c.1530 | 1544-1573 | 3 May 1572 | Montfort-Peggau | Katharina Fugger 9 February 1553 five children | |
| Ulrich VIII | | 1564-1575 | 6 April 1575 | Montfort-Rothenfels | Ursula of Solms-Lich 1559 two children | After his death, the county was annexed by the Barony of Konigsegg, depriving Ulrich's sons from succession. |
| In 1575 Rothenfels was annexed by the Barony of Königsegg. ||||||||
| John VI | c.1557 | 1573-1619 | 21 February 1619 | Montfort-Peggau | Sybilla Fugger 4 October 1587 Augsburg three children | Sons of Jacob, ruled jointly. |
| Wolfgang II | ? | 1573-1596 | 1596 | Montfort-Peggau | Unmarried | Sons of Jacob, ruled jointly. |
| George III | ? | 1573-1590 | 1590 | Montfort-Peggau | Anna von Lobkowicz 1584 no children | Sons of Jacob, ruled jointly. |
| Anton I | ? | 1573-1592? | 1595 | Montfort-Peggau | Unmarried? | Sons of Jacob, ruled jointly. |
| Hugo XIII | 1 April 1599 | 1619-1662 | 2 July 1662 | Montfort-Peggau | Johanna Euphroysne of Waldburg 7 October 1618 Wolfegg four children | Sons of John VI, ruled jointly. |
| Herman IV | ? | 1619-1641 | 1641 | Montfort-Peggau | Unmarried | Sons of John VI, ruled jointly. |
| John VII | ? | 1619-1623 | 1623 | Montfort-Peggau | Unmarried | Sons of John VI, ruled jointly. |
| Anton II the Elder | 14 October 1635 | 1662-1706 | 15 June 1706 | Montfort-Peggau | Maria Victoria of Spauer-Flavon 1670 two children | Sons of Hugo XIII, ruled jointly. |
| John VIII | 25 November 1627 | 1662-1686 | 12 September 1686 | Montfort-Peggau | Anna Eusebia of Königsegg 1655 one child Maria Katharina of Sulz 12 August 1658 two children | Sons of Hugo XIII, ruled jointly. |
| Anton III | 26 November 1670 | 1706-1733 | 17 December 1733 | Montfort-Peggau | Maria Anna of Thun-Hohenstein 16 May 1693 two children | Anton III, son of John VIII, shared rule with his cousin Sebastian, son of Anton II. |
| Sebastian | 7 October 1684 | 1706-1728 | 6 February 1728 | Montfort-Peggau | Unmarried | Anton III, son of John VIII, shared rule with his cousin Sebastian, son of Anton II. |
| Maximilian Joseph Ernest | 20 January 1700 | 1733-1759 | 17 March 1759 | Montfort-Peggau | Maria Antonia of Waldburg 26 January 1722 one child | Son of Anton II. |
| Francis Xavier | 3 November 1722 | 1759-1780 | 24 March 1780 | Montfort-Peggau | Sophia Theresa Maximiliane of Limburg-Bronkhorst 1 December 1758 no children | After his death the county was sold to Austria. |
| In 1780, Pfannberg was sold to the Archduchy of Austria ||||||||

## Prince of Montfort

In 1810, the Tettnang territory was adjudicated to the Kingdom of Württemberg. In 1816, King Frederick I vested his daughter Catharina and her husband Jérôme Bonaparte with the titles of Princess and Prince of Montfort (French: prince de Montfort). This princely title continued in the family by descent.