The House of Bibra () was one of the leading Uradel (ancient noble) families in Franconia (northern part of Bavaria) and present day Thuringia from the mid-15th century to about 1600. Later on the family rose from (Imperial Knights) to (barons of the Holy Roman Empire). After the Holy Roman Empire dissolved, they were made (barons) of Bavaria and Bohemia.
History The earliest references to the family include a document of Bishop Otto of Bamberg from the year 1119 of a Rupertus de Bibra. In 1151 a Pertholdus (Berthold) de Bibra and his sons Pertholdus (Berthold) and Tagino are referenced in another document. The family prospered in numbers, wealth, and influence in the 15th century and early 16th century. By the time of Siebmachers Wappenbuch of 1605, the family is listed as the most important family of Franconia under the rank of Freiherr. By 1600 most of the family died off without heirs partially due natural causes such as the Bubonic plague and the number of family members who took church positions. After the death of Heinrich von Bibra in 1602, the Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn seized most of the family’s assets as part of the Counter-Reformation resulting in a 79-year lawsuit. The lawsuit (Reichskammergericht) was eventually settled with the family receiving all the properties except Burgwallbach but without income during the suit. From 1602 on there were many important members of the family but the family itself never recovered the leading position it previously had in the late 15th and 16th centuries. Between 1698 and 1772, the various lines were raised to (Barons of the Holy Roman Empire). In later times, the family spread to the Austrian Empire, the British Empire, and the United States. According to Wagenhöfer, the Bibra family is the most researched family of the low nobility in Franconia after the Guttenberg and Seckendorff families.
Prominent members of the family Kilian von Bibra (* about 1425; † 1494), 1 December 1450 Gilianus de Bibrach de Alemania receives doctorate in church law (doctoratus in iure canonico) in Padua, Italy, Dean of the Cathedral Chapter of Würzburg, Generalvicar of Bishopric of Würzburg, statesman (German Wikipedia article) Wilhelm von Bibra (*1442 † 1490), Lorenz' half brother, Papal emissary, Knight of the Golden Spur Albrecht von Bibra (* † 1511), Dean of the Cathedral Chapter of Würzburg, Cathedral Chapter member of Bamberg (German Wikipedia article) Lorenz von Bibra, Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Duke in Franconia (1459–1519) Conrad von Bibra, Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, Duke in Franconia (1490–1544) Christoph Erhard von Bibra (1656–1706) participant at Battle of Blenheim, 12.10.1704 kaiserlicher (imperial) Generalfeldwachtmeister, 2.5.1705 (Elector of Mainz) Generalfeldmarschalleutnant (Lieutenant General), Commander of the Plassenburg and Kulmbach (German Wikipedia article) Johann Ernst von Bibra (10.2.1662 – 19.8.1705) 12.4.1701 kaiserlicher (imperial) Feldmarschall-Leutnant, 11.5.1704 Reichsgeneralfeldmarschallleutnant, 20.5.1704 kaiserlicher (imperial) Feldzeugmeister (German Wikipedia article) Heinrich Carl von Bibra (aka Karl Siegmund) (1666 + 1734) Franconian Circles, Bamberg Generalfeldmarschalleutnant (Lieutenant General), father Prince-Bishop Heinrich of Fulda, builder of the Bibra Palais in Bamberg (German Wikipedia article) Heinrich von Bibra, (Karl Sigmund Frhr. von Bibra) Prince-Bishop, Prince-Abbot of Fulda (1711–1788) was Prince-Bishop from (1759–1788) Siegmund von Bibra (Philipp Anton Frhr. von Bibra; * 1750; † 1803), high official Bishopric and Abby of Fulda and editor of Journal von und für Deutschland (German Wikipedia article) Franz Ludwig von Bibra (1783–1823) was soldier, author, and early settler of Tasmania, Australia. Ernst von Bibra (1806–1878), German naturalist (natural history scientist) and author. Ernst was a botanist, zoologist, metallurgist, chemist, geographer, travel writer, novelist, duellist, art collector and trailblazer in ethnopsychopharmacology. Ernst Wilhelm Freiherr von Bibra (1910–1943) German officer during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Missing presumed dead since February 15, 1943 - Oktjabersky, Russia August von Bibra (1808–1894) general manager of the Adelsverein, or Verein zum Schutze Deutscher Einwanderer in Texas ("Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas"). Wilhelm Franz von Bibra (1824–1879) Generalfeldmarschalleutnant (Lieutenant General) Austro-Hungarian Army (German Wikipedia article) August Hans Karl Reinhard von Bibra (1845-1926) Oberst (colonel), (K. u. K.) and historian Sir Eric Ernest von Bibra (O.B.E., Kt.) (1895–1958) Order of the British Empire (1938) for services to local government and returned servicemen, Knight Bachelor (7 July 1953) Agent-General for Tasmania in Britain, former Alderman and Mayor of Launceston Sir Donald Dean von Bibra (C.M.G., O.B.E., K.B.) (1905–1982) Order of the British Empire (1970), Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George(1979), Knight Bachelor (1982): former chairman of the Australian Wool Industry Conference and Tasmanian grazier Eve von Bibra living actress and singer active in Australia Nikolaus von Bibra, 13th-century Erfurt monk, is unknown whether he is connected to the same von Bibra family. Listed under theology and satire, he wrote a comment on contemporary politics known as Occultus Erfordensis and a satirical work called Carmen Satiricum. (German Wikipedia article)
Riemenschneider patronage The tomb of Lorenz von Bibra by Tilman Riemenschneider (c. 1460 – 7 July 1531) in the Würzburg Dom (cathedral) is one of Riemenschneider's most famous works. Lorenz also commissioned Riemenscheider to do the tomb of his predecessor, Rudolf von Scherenberg. In Bibra the family commissioned Riemenschneider to do the Altar of the Apostles, Altar of the Church Fathers, Altar of the Annunciation, Carving of St. Kilian, a crucifix, and an epitaph of Hans von Bibra (Lorenz' father). Kilian von Bibra also commissioned a work by Riemenscheider other than at Bibra.
Localities associated with family Family seat (Stammsitz): Burg Bibra near Meiningen (c.1100–present) is reportedly the longest continuously owned castle by a family in Thuringia having been in the family since written records began including during the East German period. While the burg itself remained in the family, the forest, farmland and Lower Castle was sold at auction in 1936.
Second seat: Schloss Irmelshausen (1376–present) is a five sided water castle in Franconia, frequently featured in books and calendars.
Historical holdings still in family: Schloss Brennhausen (1681–present) is a unique and beautifully situated castle frequently featured in books and calendars. In 2002 transferred to the Stiftung Brennhausen (Foundation) by the family which continues to use. Dörfleshof farming estate (between Aubstadt and Ottelmannshausen)(1859–present)
Estates, castles, manor houses, and villages that previously came under Bibra control (Germany unless otherwise stated): Schloss Adelsdorf (1687–1993) widow continued to live there until 2017 Althausen (Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld) (1331-1517+) Schloss Aschach (1391–1407) Aroldshausen (by Jüchsen) (c.1435-c.1990) property taken by East Germany, compensation adjudicated about 1990 Aubstadt (c.1308-after 1859) Bahra (1404–1637?) Bauerbach (by 1359-1684) Unteres Schloss (Lower Castle) also known as Neues Schloss (New Castle) built at Bibra after the partial destruction of Burg Bibra in 1525 (1558-1936) Burg Bramberg (1393–1483) pledge holding (Pfandschaft) Breuberg (Welkershausen by Meiningen) (1779–?) Schloss Burgwallbach (1489–1681) Oberschloss Euerbach Untereuerheim & Obereuerheim with Schloss Euerburg (1480–1687) Schloss Gemünda (by Seßlach) (1510–1655) Geroda (1400–1607) Gleicherwiesen (c.1356 – 1850) Burg Hallenburg (before 1374–1391) Höchheim (1356-c1970) Schloss Kleinbardorf (1413–1687) (see also Jewish Cemetery (Kleinbardorf)) Neubrunn (Thuringia) (1366-1496+) Schloss Oselce (Schloss Wosseletz) (Czech Republic) (1808–1856) Burg Osterburg and half Amt Themar (1380–1468) Pledge Holding Rentwertshausen (1372–1511) Schloss Roßrieth (by Mellrichstadt) (1438-before 1445)(1589–1680) Schloss Schnabelwaid (1696–1750) Schwarza (Thuringian Forest) (1355–1425) pledge holding (Pfandschaft) Schloss Schwebheim (1513-c1958) Schloss Senftenberg (Buttenheim) (1426–1484) pledge holding (Pfandschaft) Castle and administrative area (Amt) including Altendorf, Buckenhofen, Buttenheim, Eggolsheim, Friesen, Grub, Kalteneggolsfeld, Kauernhofen, Pautzfeld, Schirnaidel, Seigendorf, Seußling and Stackendorf Steinach an der Saale (1343 – ?) combination of fief and pledge Schloss Strauch (Großenhain) (1749–1755) Schloss Trappstadt (1853– c.1970) Burg Trimburg (1375–1412) pledge holding Walldorf (by Meinigen) (1779–1946) property taken by Russians or East Germans in 1946 Schloss Weisendorf (c1750-1785) Schloss Wiesen, (Seßlach) 1818–1822 Veste Wildberg and Amt (administrative district consisting of Eyershausen, Großbardorf, Großeibstadt, Großwenkheim, Kleinbardorf, Kleineibstadt, Saal an der Saale, Weichtungen, Wülfershausen a. d. Saale ) (1358 – before 1387) pledge holding, (? – 1687) fief without Amt (?) (1602–1681 part of lawsuit with bishop of Würzburg) Schloss Willershausen (half 1757–1850) Wölfershausen (Kr. Meinigen) (1311 - after 1500) Wolfmannshausen (Kr. Meinigen) (1372- after 1496) Wülfershausen (Lkr Schweinfurt) (1401-?) Wülfershausen a. d. Saale (1418-?) Separately from Amt Wildberg above
German cities with close association: Fulda Bamberg Würzburg
Memorials: Bibra Kreuz – A memorial to fallen WWI soldier Helmuth von Bibra from the Irmelshausen Senior Sub-line in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany German Wikipedia Article
Monasteries closely associated with Bibra family: Rohr (just north of Meiningen) during the 14th century (last Bibra burial 1473) Henneberg Kloster Veßra in the 15th century (last Bibra burial 1488)
Australia Bibra Lake, a suburb of Perth, Australia is named after Benedict von Bibra who in the summer of 1843 bought land there which contains the lake Bibra Lake Bibra’s Landing in the west coast of Australia is named after Francis Louis von Bibra and/or brother Charles who operated in the area in the 1870s–90'sThe Von Bibra Story Lois Nyman and Graeme von Bibra, November 1996, Foot & Playsted Pty Ltd., Launceston pp. 64–66 () Beaufront, Ross, Tasmania (1916–present): a historical (1837) country home and large estate ()
Coats of arms of municipalities The Bibra coat of arms is incorporated into several municipalities.
Organization of the family For the last four centuries the family has divided itself between two Branches named after the two brothers whom all living Bibra descend: Valentine (1560–1595) and Bernhard (1562–1609). Within each branch, the family has divided further in Lines centered on castles and a manor house (Gleicherwiesen). The last two centuries, the Lines are as follows:
Valentine Branch Adelsdorf Line (extinct in the male line since 1993) Raised to Imperial Barons () 1698 Became Bavarian Barons 1815 Gleicherweisen Line Raised to Imperial Barons () 1698 Became Bavarian Barons 1815 Schwebheim Line (extinct 1958) Raised to Imperial Barons () 1698 Became Bavarian Barons 1817 Schnabelwaid, later Weisendorf Line (extinct 1856) Raised to Imperial Barons () 1698 Became Bohemian (part of the Austrian Empire) Barons 1810
Bernhard Branch Brennhausen Line Raised to Imperial Barons () 1772 Became Bavarian Barons 1828 Bibra-Bibra Line Raised to Imperial Barons () 1772 Became Bavarian Barons 1816 Irmelshausen Line (Older sub-line & Younger sub-line) Raised to Imperial Barons () 1713 Became Bavarian Barons 1816
All branches of the family were raised to (baron). In 1919, all nobility predicates were transformed into constituents of the family name in Germany.
Outline of family