Viking Cruise #19: Rhine Middle River: Gutenfels Castle: Legend of Unknown Knight

Today's blog about the Castles along the Middle Rhine River in Germany takes a look at the history associated with Gutenfels Castle(which is now a hotel) and the legend of the "Unknown Knight." 

BUIILT AND OWNED - According to Spotting History's website, Gutenfels Castle was built in 1220. This castle was primarily owned (since 1257) by the Falkenstein family.

CASTLE USES - It was used to provide a Toll Zone on the middle of the Rhine River, in combination with Pfalzgrafenstein Castle (covered in an earlier blog) and the fortified town of Kaub. The Toll was set up for the Holy Roman Emperor until Prussia purchased the area in 1866 and ended the toll the next year. 

(Photo: Entry way in Gutenfels castle-turned hotel. Credit: Hotels.com) 

ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY - Gutenfels Castle is one of the most important examples of the Hohenstaufen military and house construction style at the Rhine. Since 1277 it has been a castle of the Electorate of Palatinate. After an unsuccessful siege in 1504 by landgrave Wilhelm from Hessen, the castle was renamed Gutenfels (solid rock). Rebuilt between 1889 and 1892 it is now used as a hotel.

(Photo: One of the rooms in this castle-turned hotel. Credit: Hotels.com) 

LEGEND OF THE UNKNOWN KNIGHT- Knights and Castles Org shared a story about an Unknown Knight that became a love obsession of Guta von Falkenstein, one of the residents of Gutenfels Castle back in the 13th Century. I've edited the story to make it a quicker read.

 

Guta and her brother Phillip von Falkenstein attended a tournament organized by the Archbishop of Cologne. Guta became enamored with one knight for his courage, skill and handsome face. The knight visited the Royal Box where the siblings were seated and Guta dropped her glove (as was custom) and asked him to keep it (he did).

The knight later found her and admitted his undying love for her. He asked for her hand in marriage if she could wait a few months for him to return. Guta agreed and waited, becoming impatient and inconsolable. 

(Photo: A large room in the Gutenfels castle-turned hotel. Credit: Hotels.com) 

When Richard of Cornwall was finally crowned emperor, he traveled along the Rhine River to visit the local lords. Philip met Richard and was dumbstruck as he asked for his teenage sister’s hand in marriage. 

Then Richard smiled and produced a glove. Guta's glove she gave to the handsome knight.  Philip recognized the man, who had much changed in the months of warfare. Quickly he brought the glove to Guta, who ran to meet her beloved. The two were married within the week and the castle was renamed ‘Gutenfels’ to celebrate the family's good fortune.

THE HISTORY - It seems Guta was Richard's third wife (although I could only find one reference): English Monarchs Co UK says, "Richard married for a third time to the German Beatrice of Falkenburg, daughter of Dietrich I, Count of Falkenburg on 16 June 1269 at Kaiserslautern. His bride was sixteen years old at the time of the marriage and was said to be one of the most beautiful women of her time. The marriage did not produce any children."

(Photo: One of the bathrooms in this castle-turned hotel. Credit: Hotels.com)

NEXT: The Legend of Lorelei