Counts of Celje
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In the Middle Ages, the town of Celje was the property of the Counts of Celje (Slovene Celjski grofje, German Grafen von Cilli). They are often still referred to in English as Counts of Cilli.
They were a well-known noble family of Slovenia and the only true counts of Slovene ethnicity. They began their glory in a small castle in Žovnek (German Sannegg), Braslovče (Upper Savinja valley), but in a short period of time they owned more than 20 castles all over Slovenia and beyond through the marriages of their daughters.
When the last count of Celje died without an heir, all of their domains were passed on to the Habsburgs, their biggest rivals (the Counts of Celje and the Habsburgs had an agreement, that the family which died out first, would leave all its' possessions to the other one).
Their coat of arms (three yellow stars on a blue background) was incorporated into the Slovenian national flag in 1991. It is also the current coat of arms of Celje.
[edit] Most famous of the Counts of Celje
- Konrad "the Free" Sannegg, (Abt 1188–22 Nov 1253)
- Ulrich of Žovnek/Von Sannegg, (Abt 1222–Bef 1265)
- Ulrich I of Celje, (Abt 1261–1318), lord of Zovnek who became 1st Count of Celje
- Frederick I (Abt 1295–1359/60)
- Ulrik II of Žovnek/Sannegg (1331–1368)
- William of Celje (1361-1392), father of Anna of Celje, Queen of Poland and Lithuania, second wife of Jagello
- Hermann II of Celje (1365–1435)
- Barbara of Celje (Barbara Celjska) (1368–1437), Holy Roman Empress, Queen of Hungary
- Frederick II of Celje
- Anna of Celje (1381–1416), wife of Polish king Władysław Jagiełło
- Ulrich III of Celje (Ulrich Cillei) (1406-1456)
- Margaret of Celje d 1480, heiress of the dynasty, married (1) Count Herman of Montfort and (2) Duke Vladislav of Teschen
[edit] External link
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