The Lordship comprised the lands of Parchim (included Brenz and Rosengarten), the rural area of Ture and the later Vogteis of Plau, Goldberg, Sternberg and finally Richenberg (on the Warnow near Langen Brütz).

The first prince of Parchim-Richenberg was Pribislaw I from the House of Mecklenburg (Obotrites), the youngest son of Henry Borwin II.

Soon after he assumed his full position, border conflicts with the Counts of Schwerin erupted, and he had to cede Brenz and Neustadt-Glewe.

After this feud he managed to stabilise the territory economically by founding the towns of Goldberg and Sternberg, and through the settlement of Jews in Parchim.

In 1248 Pribislaw relocated his residence from Parchim to the newly built castle of Richenberg on the Warnow near the village of Kritzow.