A Guardian of Law and a Lady of the Court

In the first half of the 14^th century, one of the most prominent members of the new generation of the Auersperg family was Herward III. Around 1324, he married Anna of Rottau, a Bavarian lady-in-waiting to Countess Beatrix of Gorizia. Their union reflects the close ties between the Counts of Gorizia and the Auersperg family. Shared administrative and military interests had already linked the two houses since the 13^th century. 

Herbard III was a respected figure of his time. He appears in several historical documents as a guarantor and arbitrator. At the time of his marriage, the Countess of Gorizia granted him an estate with 26 farms in the area around Žužemberk, and later also a mill in Dvor near Žužemberk. In return, he remained a loyal supporter of the countess during her conflict with the Patriarchate of Aquileia. 

During this period, the Auersperg family also expanded their holdings in the area around Ig near Ljubljana. Herward initiated an extensive renovation of Lower Turjak Castle, converting the defensive tower into a residential structure.

Alliances of Shared Interests 

After the extinction of the old free noble line of the Auersperg family in the mid-thirteenth century, their successors no longer held the status of free nobility (nobilis). Instead, this was replaced by dependent noble ranks such as fidelis noster, miles, and ministerialis. 

A key factor in the renewed rise of the Auerspergs was their alliance with the Counts of Gorizia at the end of the 13^th and the beginning of the 14^th century. The two families shared strategic interests in Lower Carniola. This connection provided the Auerspergs with a powerful ally in the south-eastern part of the Empire, while the Counts of Gorizia gained reliable partners who supported local administration. 

The Auerspergs were in particular need of such ally at this time. Their family was seriously threatened by the powerful Carinthian noble house of the Ortenburgs, who also had kinship ties to the old noble line. The Ortenburgs made no secret of their ambitions regarding Auersperg lands. 

The Feud with the Ortenburgs 

During the time of Herbard III and Anna of Rottau, the Auerspergs became involved in a noble feud with the Ortenburgs over territorial and property disputes. By the end of this conflict that lasted (with interruptions) for nearly thirty years between 1315 and 1343, the Auerspergs were forced to relinquish several fiefs. Nevertheless, they succeeded in preserving the core of their landed estate. 

Their ability to withstand the militarily stronger Ortenburgs reflected the Auerspergs’ military and political strength.