The House of Schwarzenberg, a Frankish and Bohemian aristocratic family which had first been mentioned in 1172, acquires noble status in Franconia when Erkinger I of Seinshein acquires the Frankish barony of Schwarzenberg, the castle Schwarzenberg and the title Baron of Schwarzenberg, in 1405–21.

The House of Schwarzenberg, related to a number of European aristocratic families, notably to the Lobkowicz (Czech: Lobkovicové) family, will go on through centuries to produce many exceptional military commanders, politicians, church dignitaries (including an Archbishop of Prague), innovators and patrons of the arts.

They will create ponds, plant forests and introduce new technologies in agriculture.