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Raitz von Frentz is the name of a baronial (freiherrlichen) family, that belongs to the German ancient nobility (Uradel). The Barons Raitz von Frentz should be distinguished from the dynastic family "von Frenz", a branch of the Dukes of Limburg, that became extinct in the 14th century.
The Raitz von Frentz is one of the oldest patrician and noble (Rittergeschlechtern) families of the free imperial city of Cologne (Reichsstadt Köln). A member of the family Raitz (Razo) was first mentioned in a document as witness of the Archbishop Wichfrid of Cologne in the year 948. The uninterrupted line of ancestors starts with the Ministerialis Raitz at St. Pantaleon Abbey in Cologne, 1106–1154. In the Middle Ages several members of the family were mayors of the free imperial city of Cologne.
Lord Rutger Raitz (I.), mayor of the free imperial city of Cologne (1294 and 1304), was married to Lady Ida von Heppendorf, daughter of Lord Gerhard III von Heppendorf, noble reeve of the Electoral Principality of Cologne, who (after Rutger died) was married to Count Ruprecht III von Virneburg in 1330. Her son Lord Rutger Raitz (II.) bought in 1347 from his step father the castle and the lordship of Frentz near Quadrath-Ichendorf, which is now known as Frens Castle. Lordship and castle were a fief(Lehen) of the Dukes of Limburg, and originally belonged to a branch of that family. Since 1347 the family is called Raitz von Fren(t)z.
Members of the family Raitz von Frentz were Free Imperial Knights (also called: Knights of the Holy Roman Empire) (Reichsritterschaft). Since 1620 the family became hereditary treasurer (Erbkämmerer) of the Electoral Principality of Cologne, which was ruled by the Prince-Elector and Arch-Bishop of Cologne.
In 1635 the branch "Raitz von Frentz zu Kendenich und Stolberg", was created hereditary Baron of the Holy Roman Empire (Reichsfreiherrenstand). This branch became extinct in 1746. The family received the lordship of Kendenich at the beginning of the 16th century, when Robert Raitz von Frentz married Agnes von Orsbeck zu Kendenich. In 1648 the family received the lordship and castle Stolberg when Ferdinand Baron of the Holy Roman Empire Raitz von Frentz zu Kendenich married Odilia Maria Baroness von Efferen zu Stolberg, daughter of Baron Adolf von Efferen and Gertrud, née Lady von Metternich.
In 1512 Lord Winand Raitz von Frentz married Lady Maria von und zu Schlenderhan, the last of her line. This branch consequently received the lordship of Schlenderhan and was henceforth known as "Raitz von Frentz von und zu Schlenderhan". The branch was created Baron of the Holy Roman Empire (Reichsfreiherrenstand) as "Raitz von Frentz von und zu Schlenderhan und Kleinenbruch" on 15 July 1650.
On 25 October 1652, the branch "Raitz von Frentz von und zu Schlenderhan" received the county Odenkirchen from the Prince-Elector and Archbishop of Cologne Maximilian Heinrich and was created Hereditary Burgrave (Erbburggraf) of the Electoral Principality of Cologne. On 11 June 1672 the immatriculation among the nobility of the Kingdom of Bohemia (Inkolat) followed. In 1826 the King of Prussia recognised the [barony](Freiherrenstand) of the only surviving branch Raitz von Frentz von und zu Schlenderhan and the branch Freiherr Raitz von Frentz zu Kellenberg, which became extinct in the late 19th century.
All male members of the family bear the name Freiherr (Baron) Raitz von Frentz, their wives that of Freifrau (Baroness) Raitz von Frentz. A daughter of a married male member of the family is called Freiin (Baroness) Raitz von Frentz.
The original coat of arms shows a continuous golden cross on a black background. The helmet decoration of the coat of arms consists of neck and head of a black bull with golden horns. The helmet covers are black-golden. The oldest preserved seal with the cross coat of arms dates from 20 January 1289 of "Theodericus dictus Raitze miles, civis Colon" and his sons.
The coat of arms of the Raitz von Frentz was changed in each case on the occasion of the elevation of two lines into the rank of Barons of the Holy Roman Empire.
On the occasion of the elevation of the line Raitz von Frentz zu Kendenich und Stolberg to the status of imperial barons, the coat of arms of this line was confirmed as follows in 1635: Quarter: Box 1 and 4: A continuous golden cross on a black background. Box 2 and 3: Two red rafters in silver.
The coat of arms of the Raitz von Frentz von und zu Schlenderhan line was confirmed as follows on the occasion of its elevation to imperial barons in 1650: Quarter: Box 1 and 4: A continuous golden cross on a black background. Box 2 and 3: A black bar in silver, covered with 3 golden blackbirds. Red-blue divided, a silver, gold-crowned lion above. The heart shield was also added on the occasion of the awarding of the title of Baron of the Holy Roman Empire.
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