Creuzburg (also ''Creutzburg'', sometimes ''Kreutzburg''; in early namings also: Cruce-/Cruci''berg'', ''-berch'', ''-burch'', ''-borg'') is a

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

surname derived from an old noble family of

knights A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the Christian denomination, church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood ...

in Thuringia, Germany.

Origins

Creuzburg is a settlement or place name for the town of Creuzburg, Germany, and in particular a medieval castle ''Burg Cruezburg'' from the 12th century nearby. The first element of the name, Creuz, is derived from the Old High German word ''Kruci'' or Old Saxon word ''Kruzi'', both borrowed from the Latin word ''crux'' (cross). The second element of the name refers to a castle, Creuzburg on the Werra, near Eisenach. The lords of Castle Creuzburg took the name ''von Creuzburg''. The

Burgmannen From the 12th century in central Europe, a ''Burgmann'' (plural: ''Burgmannen'' or modern term ''Burgmänner'', Latin: ''oppidanus'', ''castrensus'') was a knight ministeriales or member of the nobility who was obliged to guard and defend castles. ...

, guards, and fiefs not infrequently also took the name of the Castle. Burgmannen were members of the low

aristocracy Aristocracy (, ) is a form of government that places strength in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocracy (class), aristocrats. The term derives from the el, αριστοκρατία (), meaning 'rule of the best'. At t ...

in the Middle Ages who defended

castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...

s. The role is roughly equivalent to the English

castellan A castellan is the title used in Medieval Europe for an appointed official, a governor of a castle and its surrounding territory referred to as the castellany. The title of ''governor'' is retained in the English prison system, as a remnant o ...

. Although they were paid for their services, they had to provide their own

armour Armour (British English) or armor (American English; see spelling differences) is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, especially direct contact weapons or projectiles during combat, or fr ...

. In the Late Middle Ages, the system of ''Burgmann'' disappeared and the castles were protected by '' Landsknecht''.''Burgmannen''
Retrieved June 20, 2009.

Coat of arms

The von Creuzburg coat of arms consists of a red eagle on a silver field. On the helmet, two red arms dressed in silver hold a silver ball. The helmet covers are silver and red.

References

This article is a synopsis from the German Wikipedia article. {{reflist

Literature

* Regesta Diplomatica Necnon Epistolaria Historiae Thuringiae, Otto Dobenecker, Band II Teil 1,2, Band III, IV, Jena 1900 * Die Creuzburg. Kurt Langlotz 1941 * 900 Jahre Bischofroda, Walter Böttger 2004 * Deutsches Adels-Lexikon von Prof. Dr. Ernst Heinrich Kneschke, Leipzig 1860 * Genealogisch-Historisches Adels Lexicon von Johann Friedrich Gauhe, Leipzig 1740 * Genealogisches Handbuch des in Bayern immatrikulierten Adels Band XV, Vereinigung des Adels (E.V.), 1984 * Stammbuch des blühenden und abgestorbenen Adels, Bd. II, Regensburg 1863 * Die Wappen des hessischen und thüringischen Adels, J. Siebmacher 1977

Origins

Coat of arms

References

Literature

See also