Notably, the Burgraviate featured a cooperative constitutional structure and was endowed with manorial privileges by the Emperor, which were reaffirmed multiple times until its dissolution in 1806.

[1] The Burgraviate established its territory, which, in addition to overseeing the neighboring Reichsstadt Friedberg and the Freigericht Kaichen, included a narrow strip of land in the southern Wetterau.

[2] According to its self-perception, the Kayserliche und des heiligen Reichs-Burg Friedberg, as it was called, was a prominent institution of the Imperial Knighthood and directly subordinate to the king or emperor.

The shift in allegiance and the end of loyalty to the Hohenstaufen proved advantageous when William, just a few days later on September 20, 1252, exempted the Burgmannen from the obligation to participate in imperial military service but offered them a voluntary personal and financial contribution.

This had a significant impact on the constitutional development of the burgraviate: The rights acquired during the Interregnum, which were already extensive for the organization of imperial castles, were further consolidated in the 14th and 15th centuries.

In 1349, under Emperor Charles IV, the Burgfrieden (castle peace treaty) was established, granting the Burgmannschaft the right to appoint the Burgrave, a responsibility previously held by the king.

By 1454, the city faced insolvency, worsened by the termination of escort services to the Frankfurt trade fair, which significantly impacted its economy and cloth production.

The extinction and impoverishment of many knightly families in the region led to the deterioration of the essential components of the Burgmannschaft, such as residence obligations, Burghut, Burggericht, and Burglehen.

[1] The influence of the remaining local lesser nobles diminished further due to conflicts of interest arising from service obligations to larger sovereigns.

By the 15th century, it became common practice to delegate governance and administrative duties to a smaller body, the Burgregiment, composed of twelve Burgmannen.

In the modern era, membership in this unique cooperative of the imperial knighthood primarily served to enhance the social prestige of its members within the estate society.

Military forces entered the castle on January 21, 1804, led by Karl du Thil, who later became Minister President of the Grand Duchy of Hesse.

At the Congress of Vienna, he attempted to revive the burgraviate but was forced to accept a cession agreement in 1817, which limited him to a titular role and the rank of Standesherren.

Despite various attempts by larger dynasties to assert control, this cooperative structure effectively resisted external influence throughout the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period.

The castle rights granted to the German Order Commandery from Sachsenhausen and Marburg, though lasting longer, initially had no substantial impact on the burgraviate's constitution.

[40] From this point, proof of entitlement to inherit a castle fief was no longer mandatory; instead, a fee of 100 guilders was required, which was exceptionally high for the time.

[48][49][50] By the end of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, only three of the original families remained in the Burgmannschaft: the Löw von Steinfurth, the Dalberg, and the Schenck zu Schweinsberg.

[37] Initially, this group included the burgrave, who later assumed a distinct role, along with the master builder and five burgomans delegated to the Rat der Reichsstadt Friedberg.

The regimental burgomans were required to reside near Friedberg to ensure prompt availability for decision-making, making their assembly more practical than the broader Burgkonvent or Burgverbot of all Burgmannen.

The burgraviate was required to provide 30 gleves for the Hussite War, which was comparable to the contingent of significant imperial entities like the Dukes of Mecklenburg or the Bishop of Speyer.

[55] Friedberg Castle maintained a prominent position within the imperial knighthood as the seat and center of the Ritterkantons Mittelrhein (Knightly Canton of the Middle Rhine).

[57] By the late Middle Ages, the castle extended its influence over the city, notably from 1306 when King Albrecht I mandated that six Burgmannen, known as the "Noble Six", be sent to the town council.

[58] Although the "Noble Six" were theoretically required to report on injustices in the city, in practice, the town council’s autonomy diminished, and all municipal decisions occurred under the castle’s oversight.

However, the financial and political crises of the 15th century, combined with the acquisition of pledges from various lords, eventually left the city in a dependent state.

[60] These early rights were foundational for the operation and self-sufficiency of the castle, but conflicts with neighboring territories, such as those involving the Grafen von Solms, occasionally arose over the usage of these lands.

This expansion included the Mörler Mark, an area north-west of Friedberg, which was partly assigned to individual burgomans as service property.

The suburb Zum Garten, directly controlled by the castle, contributed labor services for construction and maintenance, though its population dwindled in the 15th century.

Despite ongoing resistance from other feudal lords and occasional conflicts over rights and responsibilities, the burgraviate successfully expanded and solidified its position within the Wetterau region, laying the foundation for its role in the broader imperial structure.

[69] Founded prior to March 26, 1492, the brotherhood was dedicated to the veneration of God, Mary, the saints Antonius and George, and for the salvation of its members.

[70] Members of the Fraternitas equestris S. Georgii were required to wear a silver or gold-plated necklace featuring the image of St. George on specific days.