The castle of the extortionists | Haut-Ribeaupierre Castle in Alsace | Legends | Castles in France

The castle of the extortionists | Hohrappoltstein Castle in Alsace | Castles in France
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Hohrappoltstein Castle, first mentioned in writing in 1254, is located in Alsace, France. The place served for a long time as a prison for prominent people for whom ransom was extorted.
We tell the thrilling history of the castle in 6 minutes.
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Hohrappoltstein Castle, called Château du Haut-Ribeaupierre in French, is located on a hilltop near Ribeauvillé in Alsace.
On the same mountain are also the picturesque ruins of Girsberg Castle and those of the impressive Ulrichsburg.
Hohrappoltstein was first mentioned in a document in 1254. But already from the 9th century a predecessor castle stood at the same place.
However, the settlement of the place began far before that. Finds from the Bronze, Hallstadt and Iron Ages prove this. Roman coins have also been found.
The lords of Altenkastel mentioned in 1254 were probably servants of the Rappoltsteins who administered the castle. At that time Hohrappoltstein was a fief of the Bamberg monastery. However, the monastery soon lost the area to the bishopric of Basel.
In 1268, the Rappoltsteiners recognized the Bishop of Basel as the feudal lord of the castle. However, the Bambergs laid claim to the fief until the 14th century.
In 1288 Anselm von Rappoltstein was lord of the castle. In the division of property at that time, Ulrichsburg Castle also fell to him along with Hohrappoltstein.
In 1368 the castle was owned by Bruno I of Rappoltstein. A year later he entered the service of Philip the Bold of Burgundy. Together with the French he fought against the English in the 100 Years War. In 1384 he captured the English knight John Harleston and his 12 companions and imprisoned them all at Hohrappoltstein. Since Harleston had been promised safe conduct by the emperor, the latter was anything but pleased. In addition, Bruno demanded a considerable ransom for the prisoner. The whole thing earned him not only the wrath of Emperor Wenceslas, but also that of the city of Strasbourg and the English King Richard II.
Thereupon Bruno placed himself in the service of the French King Charles VI and even granted him the right to open Hohrappoltstein Castle. In 1387 he finally released John Harleston. Whereupon Emperor Wenceslas forgave him and confirmed his ownership of the castle. Bruno now also granted the emperor the right to open the fortress.
In 1426 the castle fell to Ulrich VIII von Rappoltstein. He had the castle rebuilt and extended. In 1481 changes were made again. Once again it was used as a prison and ransoms were extorted.
Wilhelm von Rappoltstein even had his son imprisoned there in 1498 because he was too lavish with the family fortune. From that time at the latest, the Rappoltstein family had the castle administered by bailiffs.
In 1528 they feared an invasion of Alsace by the French. Therefore a garrison was stationed at Hohrappoltstein. The keep was used as a watchtower.
In 1572 and 73, construction work took place for the last time. Shortly thereafter, the complex seems to have fallen into disuse.
In the first quarter of the 17th century, however, it once again served as a prison for thieves and poachers. After that it was left to decay. Unfortunately, it is not possible to say exactly when. Perhaps during the Thirty Years' War.
The Rappoltstein family finally died out in 1673.
Today the ruin belongs to the French state.