The office of Count Palatine was originally and until the Ottonian period an office bestowed by the king and was therefore not linked to a family or possessions in this territory.

In the realm of the Count Palatine, the Ezzonen controlled an area roughly from the Lower Rhine to the Moselle, in part in Lorraine. Their center of power was in Alzey, so independent of Lorraine and more oriented towards Franconia.

After the Ezzonen died out in 1045, part of the heritage fell to the Cologne Church, which was later able to incorporate more of the heritage. This is of importance for the later development of the Palatinate, since there will still be some disputes with the Cologne Church.

At that time, the Count Palatine had a very high position for a count: He was significantly more respected than other counts and was almost on an equal footing with dukes. In addition, he had very good relations with the king, since he had appointed him personally.

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The Ballenstedt family was the next noble family to provide the Count Palatine. The Ballenstedt family, who had their headquarters in Saxony, actually came from the Ascanian family and acquired their name from their Ballenstedt castle.

They were also related to Emperor Lothar III(2). It is therefore not surprising that a Ballenstedter acquired the office of Count Palatine and so the title appeared for the first time under their rule in 1131 The Ballenstedt family, who had their headquarters in Saxony, actually came from the Ascanian family and acquired their name from their Ballenstedt castle. They were also related to Emperor Lothar III.

It is therefore not surprising that a Ballenstedter acquired the office of Count Palatine and so the title appeared for the first time under their rule in 1131 The Ballenstedt family, who had their headquarters in Saxony, actually came from the Ascanian family and acquired their name from their Ballenstedt castle. They were also related to Emperor Lothar III.

It is therefore not surprising that a Ballenstedter acquired the office of Count Palatine and so the title appeared for the first time under their rule in 1131comes palatinus de Reno on, which was worn by Wilhelm, Count Palatine of the Rhine, based in Liège. Emperor Lothar introduced this in order to distinguish between Saxon and Rhenish Counts Palatine in the documents.

However, as the Ballenstedter had repeatedly had quarrels with the German king even before Wilhelm, the title of Count Palatine was not to remain in their family for too long. When namely 1138 Konrad III.

and for a Staufer to become German king, it was only a matter of time before the Ballenstedts were replaced as counts palatine. So Konrad initially continued to accept Wilhelm as Count Palatine of the Rhine.

After his death, however, Konrad made sure that this office was accompanied by a representative of his noble family.

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