Фюрстенберг: История графства и княжества Священной Римской империи

Fürstenberg was a county (Grafschaft), and later a principality (Fürstentum), of the Holy Roman Empire in Swabia, which was located in present day southern Baden Württemberg, Germany. Its ruling family was the House of Fürstenberg.

The county emerged when Egino IV, Count of Urach by marriage, inherited large parts of the Duchy of Zähringen upon the death of Duke Berthold V in 1218, and it was originally called the county of Freiburg. Egino's grandson, Count Henry, started naming himself after his residence at Fürstenberg Castle around 1250. The county was partitioned in 1284 between itself and the lower county of Villingen, and then again in 1408 between Fürstenberg Fürstenberg and Fürstenberg Wolfach. Over the centuries, the various rulers expanded their territories to include the Landgraviate of Baar, the County of Heiligenberg, the Lordships of Gundelfingen, Hausen, Höwen, and Meßkirch, and the Landgraviate of Stühlingen in Germany, as well as domains around Křivoklát Castle (Pürglitz), Bohemia, Tavíkovice (German: Taikowitz) in Moravia and Weitra in Austria. In 1664, Fürstenberg Heiligenberg was raised to a principality and received a vote at the Reichstag. In 1744, various Fürstenberg territories were reunified to the Principality of Fürstenberg Fürstenberg, as all lines except one had become extinct. The Rheinbundakte of 1806 dissolved the state of Fürstenberg. Most of its territory was given to Baden, and smaller parts were given to Württemberg, Hohenzollern Sigmaringen, and Bavaria.

As of 1789, the territory consisted of five larger, isolated parts as well as several smaller exclaves. The five larger parts were:
The Landgraviate of Baar and the Lordship of Höwen. Cities include Donaueschingen, Hüfingen, Engen, and Neustadt. Also includes Fürstenberg Castle. Bordered by Austria, Württemberg, the Abbacy of St. Blaise, and others. Given to Baden. The Lordship of Hausen. Cities: Hausach, Wolfach, Haslach. Bordered by: Bishopric of Strasbourg, Württemberg, Austria, Hohengeroldseck, Imperial City of Zell, Imperial Valley of Harmersbach. Given to Baden. The Landgraviate of Stühlingen. Cities: Stühlingen. Bordered by: Abbacy of St. Blaise, Switzerland, Landgraviate of Klettgau. Given to Baden. The Lordship of Meßkirch. Cities: Meßkirch. Bordered by: Hohenzollern Sigmaringen, Abbacy of Zwiefalten, Austria, Abbacy of Buchau, and others. Given to Baden and Hohenzollern Sigmaringen. The County of Heiligenberg. Bordered by: Königsegg, Abbacy of Weingarten, Austria, Lake Constance, Bishopric of Constance, Abbacy of Salmannsweiler, Imperial City of Überlingen, Imperial City of Pfullendorf, and others. Given to Baden. The smaller exclaves included the cities of Ennabeuren, Salmendingen, Neufra, Trochtelfingen, Hayingen, and others. As of 1806, Fürstenberg had an area of 2,000 km2 and a population of 100,000. Its capital was Donaueschingen.

(Note: The analysis given here will go further back to the origins of the Counts of Urach/Freiburg, from which the Fürstenbergs descended in direct line, and with which shared the coats of arms and still exchanged property in the 13th century. After the fall of the main Freiburg line in 1458, the Fürstenberg branch (separated in 1236) emerged as the main line of the dynasty.)