Ulrich (I) RENZ - born between 1480 und 1590 in Ulm, the son of Ludwig (
I) and Walburga, moved with his father to Wiesensteig. He was chief capta
in under Frundsberg and at the end of his military career became jud
ge in Wiesensteig. He had studied in Tuebingen and was appointed Magist
er there in 1507. He had only one son, Ulrich II, who died Easter week 154
7.
In 1520 Weinsberg was occupied by the Austrians and on May 21, 1525, duri
ng the Peasants' War, was captured and burned by the Lord High Steward fr
om Waldburg. After this, Duke Ulrich of Wuerttemberg conquered his land a
nd established municipal law again in Weinsberg. Ulrich II Renz was acquir
ed great merit in his hard-pressed home city and in 1542 took over the gua
rdianship of the seminary at Oberstenfeld near Gross Bottwar. He retain
ed this office until 1552; in 1568 he took over the tutorship at the monas
tery Lichtenstern near Weinsberg which he held until 1585. Two manuscrip
ts of Ulrich Renz from the monetary Lichtenstern are preserved in the Stut
tgart archives.

1. Concerning the dispute between Count Ludwig of Loewenstein with the cit
izens of Weinsberg on the Monday after Kiliani 1531. 2. August 19, 15
64 to the Magistrate of the noble seminary of Oberstenfeld.

Ulrich dies September 19, 1585, highly esteemed and honored. His wife di
ed March 1, 1586. Their joint tomb still can be viewed in the choir of t
he Church at Weinsberg. It bears the Renz lily and the Moegenhardt coat-of
-arms (wolf with a biscuit) with the following inscription:

"In 1585, September 19, died the honored and revered Ulrich Renz aged a
nd wise tutor at Lichtenstern, his age 79 years, and on March 1st

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Maximilian I (1459-1519), German king, 1486-1519, and Holy Roman empero
r, 1493-1519, is often referred to as "the last of the knights." One of Ma
ximilian's best knights was our ancestor, Ulrich Renz.

It is not known when Ulrich began his military career. However, it was pro
bably about 1511, when Maximilan I, with Spain, England, and the Pope, for
med the Holy League against France. This was a war against France lasti
ng until the French were defeated at the Battle of the Spurs in 1513.

Georg von Frundsberg, a Swabian, was chief of Maximilian's main regime
nt of German provincials. Under him, Ulrich Renz was Frundsberg's chief ca
ptain.

From 1511 until the Battle of the Spurs, Ulrich led his forces in keepi
ng peace in the interior and in fighting the forces of France. They foug
ht long and hard over this period, and in doing so, Ulrich won recogniti
on for his valor and loyalty.

In recognition of his services, maximilian I, bestowed upon Ulrich, and h
is brother Ludwig, by decree on July 13, 1513 an imperial coat-of-arms a
nd patent of nobility to be used by themselves and their descendants.

Like Emperor Maximilian I, Ulrich Renz was one of the last true knights du
ring this transition from the Middle Ages to what is called the Modern Era
.

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Notes: Ulrich was first a war captain under Joerg of Frundsberg and recei
ved for its good services with its brother Ludwig together the imperial ar
istocracy and coat of arms letter. After completion of the war servic
es it turned after meadow-rises back and became there a judge. It is call
ed 1532 as hospital master, judge and a citizen. SOURCE: Aluminium Hoeld
erlin 1048/1049; G. Swiss, G. Todt.