The Interior Courtyard in the Restored Portion of Gutenfels Castle
The Courtyard of the Unrestored Portion of Gutenfels Castle
The Restored Banquet Room
The Legend
of Gutenfels Castle
(On the Rhine River by Kaub)
(On the Rhine River by Kaub)
In the 13th century, there was a stately castle near Kaub which was inhabited by Count Philip of Falkenstein. Then he lived very happily with his beautiful sister Guta, who was as good as she was fair.
Numerous knights it sought to win her love, but none had achieved this conquest, the castle maiden having no desire to exchange her brother's hospitable home for any other.
It was at this time that a magnificent tournament was held at Cologne (Köln), to which knights from all countries of the kingdom far and near and even from England were invited.
A great multitude of spectators were assembled to see the stately knights contending for the prize, which a fair hand would bestow on them.
The Pfalz Castle in the Foreground, Gutenfels Castle on the Hill Above
Among the nobles present at the tournament was a knight from England, whose graceful figure and splendid armor were particularly striking. He wore a veiled visor and the stewards of the tournament announced him under the name of "The Lion Knight," a golden lion ornamenting his shield. Soon the majestic knight's master-like manner of fighting created a great sensation, and when he succeeded in unhorsing his opponent, a most formidable combatant, loud rejoicings rang through the lists.
Count Philip and his sister were among the guests. Guta had been watching this strange knight with ever increasing interest during the tournament, regretting at the same time that she could not see his face.
But an opportunity soon presented itself when the knight was declared victor. She was selected to present the prize, a golden laurel wreath, to the winner. She became much embarrassed, and a feeling such as she had never before experienced ceased her as she looked at the Briton´s face for the first time.
Perhaps the knight may have read in the lovely maiden's countenance what she in vain tried to hide from him, perhaps a spark from that passionate fire which had so suddenly fired her heart, may have flown into his soul as he knelt before her to receive the wreath, which he placed on his head with a trembling hand. Who can tell?
Afterwards when these two were conversing together in subdued whispers, the knight silently admiring her grace and the maiden scarcely able to restrain her feelings, the thoughts which he longed to tell her, flaimed in his heart. This same evening in the banqueting hall, when the music was sounding within its walls, he was Guta's inseparable companion, and eloquent words flowed from his lips telling her of the love which his eyes betrayed.
The proud stranger begged Guta for her love and swore to be hers; he told her he must at once return to his country where urgent duty called him, but that he would come back to claim her in three months time. Then he would publicly sue for her hand and declare his name, which circumstances compelled him to keep secret for the time being.
Love will make any sacrifice. Guta accepted her lover's pledge willingly, and thus they parted under the assurance that they would soon meet again.
Five months passed. That terrible time ensued when Germany became the battlefield of the struggles over the election of the Emperor. Conrad IV (Konrad IV), the last of the House of Hohenstaufen, had died in Italy. In the northern countries there was a great rising against William of Holland who was struggling for the imperial throne. Alphonso (Alfonso) of Castile was chosen king in one part of the country, while Richard of Cornwall, son of John, King of England, was elected in another. But Richard, having received most influential votes, was crowned at Aachen, and from thence he started on a journey through the Rhine provinces, to the favour of which he had been chiefly indebted for his election.
Spring was casting her bright beams over waves and mountains in the valley of the Rhine, but in Falkenstein Castle no ray of sunshine penetrated the gloom. Guta, pale and unhappy, sat within its walls, weaving dreams which seemed destined never to be fulfilled. Sometimes she saw her love dying on a terrible battlefield with her name on her lips, then again laughing and bright with a maiden from that far-off island in his arms, talking derisively of his sweetheart on the Rhine. She became more and more conscious that she had given him her first love, and that he had cruelly deceived her. Sorrow and grief had taken possession of her, and all of her brother's efforts to amuseher and to distract attention were in vain.
A great sound of trumpets was heard one day on the highway, and a troop of knights stopped at the castle. Guta saw the train of warriors from her window, where she had been sitting weeping. The count with chivalrous hospitality received them, and let them into the banqueting hall. His astonishment was great, when he recognized the bold Briton, the victor at the tournament in Cologne, as leader of his brilliant retinue, he who had broken his secret pledge to his beloved sister. A dark glance took the place of the friendly expression on his face. The Briton seemed to notice it and pressing Philip's hand said cordially, "I am Richard of Cornwall, elected Emperor of Germany, and I have come here to solicit the hand of your sister Guta, who promised herself to me five months ago in Cologne. I come late to redeem my promise, but my love is unchanged. I beg you to announce my arrival to her without betraying my name."
Philip bowed deeply before the illustrious guest, and the retainers respectfully retired to a distance. The great guest strode up and down the room impatiently. Then the doors were suddenly thrown open, and a beautiful figure appeared on the threshold, her face glowing with emotion.
With a low cry Guta threw herself into her love's arms, and the first moments of their reunion were passed in silent happiness.
Philip now entered the room unperceived, and revealed the secret to his sister. The maiden in great confusion and shame stole a look at her lover's eyes, and he, drawing her gently to him, asked her to share all -- even his throne with him.
Shortly afterwards Richard celebrated his marriage with Imperial magnificence at the castle on the Rhine, which Philip thenceforth called Gutenfels (Guta's Cliffs) in honor of his sister.
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The View Over the Rhine River
from Gutenfels Castle
Gutenfels Castle Aerial View