ABSTRACT
The Zahringer dynasty, named after the castle of Zahringen near Freiburg im Breisgau, developed at the end of the eleventh century as an offshoot of the Swabian-based Berthold-family. The Bertholde, forebears of the Zahringer dynasty that was active from 1100, had numbered since the late tenth century among the important noble families of Swabia. The political schism in Swabia, which developed alongside schisms at the levels of kingdom, papacy and numerous bishoprics, was ended in 1098 by a settlement between Staufer and Zahringer settlement mediated by Henry IV. In 1127 King Lothar III granted Duke Conrad of Zahringen the inheritance of Count William IV of Burgundy lying west of the Jura, against the claim of his cousin Count Rainald III, although Conrad could not enforce his interests. Besides this, Lothar gave the Zahringer the rectorate that is a position as royal vicar in the kingdom of Burgundy, hoping to use the Zahringer as foil against the Staufer.
