Electorate of Mainz
In 1054 Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor gifted the area around Orb ("Orbaha") to the "Stift St. Stefan" at Mainz, it thus came under the control of the Electorate of Mainz, a part of which it remained until 1803. Bad Orb was first documented in 1059. Orb is referred to as a town for the first time in the 13th century.