True Life Tuesday: Siege of Weinsberg

I wonder about how much truth there is in this story but it is a fun one none the less. The siege took place in 1140 in Weinsberg, a part of the Holy Roman Empires (now in Borden-Wurttemberg, Germany). It was the decisive battle between the Welf and Hohenstaufen dynasties.

When Holy Roman Emperor Lothain III died in 1137 Henry the Proud, a Welf, was thought to be the candidate to become the heir. The local princes did not agree with this however and elected a Hoehnstaufen, Conrad III, in Frankfort on February 2, 1138. The Welfs, led by Altarf brother of Henry the Proud, decided to fight back. Eventually Conrad III, tired of combat, decided that he was going to destroy Weinsberg and imprison its defenders. Eventually the siege was suspended when the defenders surrendered. During the negotiation Conrad III agreed to allow the women to leave Weinsberg with anything they could carry on their shoulders. Leaving behind their belongings the women carried their husbands out of the castle. Duke Friedrich, one of Conrad's advisors, stated that this could not be allowed to happen. However, Conrad admired their cunning and advised that he would not go back on his royal word. The story of the siege became known as "the Loyal Wives of Weinsberg." The ruins of the castle have been renamed Weibentrere (wifely loyalty) in commemoration of the event.