The Counts of Woldenberg, of Wohldenberg, formerly lords of Wöltingerode, were a prosperous noble family of the High Middle Ages situated northwest of the Harz Mountains. They take their name from Wohldenberg Castle, which was constructed between 1153 and 1160. In 1174 they converted their previous ancestral seat, Wöltingerode Castle, into a Benedictine monastery, thereby founding Wöltingerode Abbey.

In 1383, their property fell to the Bishopric of Hildesheim on the extinction of the family.

Prominent members

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Literature

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  • Jan Habermann: Verbündete Vasallen. Die Netzwerke von Grafen und Herren am Nordwestharz im Spannungsgefüge zwischen rivalisierenden Fürstgewalten (ca. 1250-1400). Norderstedt 2011.
  • Wolfgang Petke: Die Grafen von Wöltingerode Wohldenberg. Adelsherrschaft, Königtum und Landesherrschaft am Nordwestharz im 12. und 13. Jahrhundert. Hildesheim 1971. (Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Historische Landesforschung der Universität Göttingen, 4)