A Tribute to a Croatian Noblewoman
The marriage of Pankraz II of Auersperg in 1469 marked a further rise in the prestige of the Auersperg family within the noble society of the region. Pankraz, the son of the expansion-minded Engelhard of Auersperg, married Ana Frankopan, granddaughter of Nikola IV Frankopan, Ban of Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slavonia.
Pankraz was said to have chosen Ana as his future wife several years before their marriage. Immediately after the wedding, he presented her with a morning gift, the customary present from husband to wife upon marriage. Alongside 300 guilders, Ana received Turjak Castle itself. She held the right to reside there for the rest of her life, and after her death the castle would return to the Auersperg family.
The coats of arms of Pankraz and Ana still decorate the entrance portal of Turjak Castle today. Their legacy is also preserved in the Church of St Achacius at Ločnik, commissioned by the couple in 1485.
More about the couple immortalised in the stone of Turjak
Second half of the 15th century: new anchors of prestige
A Successful Heir to His Father
The marriage of Pankraz II of Auersperg to Ana Frankopan continued the expansionist policy of his father Engelhard. The Frankopans were a highly distinguished noble family originating from the island of Krk. Until 1430, the family was known as the Counts of Krk. That year, Pope Martin V granted Count Nikola IV permission to adopt the name of the ancient Roman family of Frangipani, with whom the Counts of Krk were believed to be related. In 1463, Nikola IV lent money to Martin Frankopan, who pledged the castle of Lipovec as security; Nikola later also acquired the castle and lordship of Samobor. Pankraz inherited the hereditary office of chamberlain of Carniola and the Slovene March from his father. In 1470, through the lease of the office in Metlika, he became captain of Möttling (Metlika), and in 1485 he was admitted to the Carniolan Estates.
The Main and Austrian Branches of the Auerspergs
Pankraz II of Auersperg inherited Turjak Castle jointly with his younger brothers Lorenz and Volker. Lorenz died in 1479 without heirs, while Volker married in 1480 and moved with his wife Margarete to Lower Austria. Their children established what became known as the Austrian branch of the Auersperg family, centred at Purgstall Castle. Following the division of the family into two lines, Pankraz II continued the main branch of the Auerspergs after 1467. With his wife Ana, he had thirteen children, most of whom did not reach adulthood. Pankraz died shortly after the birth of his youngest son Trojan, who later continued the main line of the Auerspergs.
