House of Asseburg

During the 12th and 13th centuries the lords of Wolfenbüttel were able to establish their own small county, but were soon forced to give way to the Brunswick dukes of the House of Welf.

In 1191 however, the castle was destroyed by duke Henry the Lion of Saxony, the head of the House of Welf and brother-in-law of King Richard Lionheart.

Gunzelin's eldest son, Burchardus de Asseburc (Burchard or Busso of Asseburg), first mentioned in 1219, was the first family member to name himself after the new seat.

But as early as 1258, Asseburg Castle also had to be relinquished to Duke Albert I, however only after Burchard had been able to withstand a siege during three years.

During the 17th century, a new Westphalian line emerged from it, becoming catholic again, of which William Anton of Asseburg (1707–1782) was the most notable member.

The name was perpetuated, however, by the marriage in 1793 of its heiress to a Lord of Bocholtz (originally from Bocholt near Lobberich) who, in 1803, was created count of Bocholtz-Asseburg.

Its last male offspring, Friedrich (1861–1940), left his estate to his eldest daughter, Oda (1888–1928), who married count Leonhard von Rothkirch-Trach of an old Silesian family.

On the crowned helm is a red column with an embedded gold mirror, bedecked with nine natural peacock feathers.