The Windenburg peerage expired 8 years ago, but they used to be very important and their story is included in the ongoing season of my video series "As Sims Go By" (season 2, 5 episodes).
Coat of arms
This is one of rather few houses where the coat of arms was unchanged over the generations.
History
Despite being among the oldest peerages, the list of Dukes is rather short counting only five. The first was Duke Bavarian Heimlich. The fifth and last Duke was assumed drowned in Year 190, and because no heir was found the entire peerage expired 25 years later, as claimed by law. The Windenburg Trust is currently administrated by the Historical Museum until it will expire in Y230.
(Added: this peerage was revitalized in year 225!)
Bavarian Heimlich (-31-43)
Duke von Windenburg Y2-51
(Y43-51 by widow Duchess Hilda Lavendula)
Bavarian Heimlich was born in the TS1 era, and his Doctor's journals report that he suffered from insomnia regarding the first half of his life. Several details suggested that he was of very high heritage, and because of his close tie to King Baltazar II of SimNation, Bavarian was bestowed Duke von Windenburg. He was already married to Renate Milda von Isle, and the fresh Duke and Duchess shortly founded their family at the Windenburg Castle, part of the ancient ruins just outside Oldtown. His second wife was Hilda Lavendula Hitsh, a widowed Baroness from the mountains. Duke Bavarian had 3 children, but only 2 grew up.
Y3 Duke Bavarian bestowed Emanuel Shallot with the new peerage Lord von Haunt, which is the oldest low nobility peerage. Y20 he bestowed E'gon Lenger with the new peerage Baron aus Isle. Y44 the widowed Duchess Hilda, who benefited from the widow rights until Y51, bestowed Dominic Fyres with the new peerage Lord von Dresden. This was back in the days when the widow rights included all of the peer's rights, and before they got rather limited as result of the revolution (Y120). A widow can no longer bestow or knight anyone, but anyway this could never be done without the Monarch's approval.
Bavarian did not impress much as a Military Admiral, but did a great job within Agriculture. Aged 61 (Y30) he was honored by the King with the «High Order of the Sprout» for growing huge amounts of grapes. Windenburg delivered grapes and nectar to the royal castle for decades to come.
Duke Bavarian's picture on the Heimlich Family Bow was based on a drawing and his Doctor's journals, but all other paintings of him and his family were most likely lost in the big castle fire Y41.
Olav Heimlich (25-105)
Duke von Windenburg Y51-89.
Olav Heimlich was the only son of Bavarian, and was crowned Duke aged 26. He married Margreta Louisa Winston, Lady of Zeddlemore (today's Fashion District, San Myshuno). They had 1 son and 3 daughters, but only 3 grew up.
Duke Olav was a great Admiral, and the great war lasted his entire period. Y45-81 was filled with wars and political conflicts, and he became a very important man to the warmonger King Rupert I (reigned Y45-77). Olav was awarded for war efforts Y65, and Y73 he received the High Order of Warriors. Later he formalized the Oldtown Market (South Square Y77 and Hare Square Y79) which awarded him the Order of the Golden Lion (Y84).
During Olav's years there were a couple fires in the Windenburg Castle, the most dramatic in Y80, said to be started by war enemies bombing Oldtown, as this was the final year of an intense war ongoing for 3 years. This event forced Olav to retire from Military, and his household moved to Quad Manor in Oldtown. This building had been used by the duke previously, as the fortress became less private after the Church of Similius established there. Y89 Olav left the peerage to his son and successor, Hendrian.
His portrait is questionable, but historians are 90% sure it's Duke Olav either right before coronation or shortly after. They dated the painting Y51.
Hendrian Heimlich (56-132)
Duke von Windenburg Y89-141
(Y132-141 by widow Duchess Saphira Louise)
Hendrian Heimlich was crowned aged 33. He married Lady Saphira Louise Ross, daughter of the Duke of Rossie. They had 1 son and 4 daughters, and only one child died before reaching young adult.
Duke Hendrian did very well as a Duke, despite the following conflict filled period from Y101 and up to the nation wide revolution Y120. His household left the old Quad Manor behind and had built their new estate on Windeburg Isle. During the conflicting period this new house was constantly expanded, something that might have upset the revolutionists even more. They wanted all nobility gone! Hendrian had been the leader of the Royal Chamber, which was now officially abolished as there was no Royal Family (King Wizar died Y118, leaving no heirs, historians claim the lack of heir caused the actual revolution).
Y121 Duke Hendrian introduced a new title, and Rabaan Rab-Saxor was bestowed Lord Lykke (Harbor & Isle). After this, the Duke had 4 low nobles under his wings; Baron aus Isle, Lord von Haunt, Lord von Dresden and Lord Lykke (the latter with a noble title, but not really counting as low nobility).
There exists no painting of Duke Hendrian or his family.
Duke Hendrian died in a big house fire aged 76 (Y132) . Duchess Saphira benefited from widow rights until their son Gustav was old enough to be crowned Duke von Windenburg.
Gustav Heimlich (114-188)
Duke von Windenburg Y141-188.
Gustav was crowned Y141, aged 27. He married Brynhilde Louise Alcorn, of a better situated Oldtown family. They had only one son, Merlin Edvard.
Gustav was an Admiral, but his period was very peaceful. Still, Y151 he receved the High Order of Warriors. Y164 was a bad year for grapes, which affected the dukedom's finances negatively. The following years were quite troublesome, and they had to fire servants and sell off a few belongings. Times were changing, and Duke Gustav realized the importance of education of the future generation, and he founded Windenburg Business High School, located in Oldtown. The school quickly gained popularity, and students attended not only from Windenburg. For his work with the school Duke Gustav was honored the High Order of the Lion (Y184).
There were several minor house fires, but only the fire Y175 was catastrophic. Despite many a heirloom getting lost to the flames, today there exist several paintings of Duke Gustav at the Estate von Windenburg.
Merlin Edvard Heimlich (152-190)
Duke von Windenburg Y188-191
(Y190-191 by widow Duchess Helena).
The last Duke von Windenburg was crowned Y188, aged 36. Y190 he married Helena Peters, a commoner from San Myshuno, but they had no children before Merlin died only a month after their wedding. He probably drowned while fishing during a storm, and his body was never found. The widow struggled to make ends meet, and remarried only a few weeks later reportedly to secure finances. She then had three children but they had of course no rights to this peerage.
According to law a high nobility widow could keep the peerage for 10 years, but Helena's title and rights were shortly questioned as the late Duke Merlin died before his wife was even formally instated with the Duchess title. Lawyers insisted that marriage alone was not enough for deserving the peerage's widow rights. She lost her Duchess title Y191.
Y115 (25 years after the death of the last Peer) the Windenburg peerage officially expired.
Y130 (40 years after the death of the last Peer) the Windenburg peerage Trust will expire.
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| The Heimlich Family Order initiated by Bavarian Heimlich. |
Duke von Windenburg Y2-51
(Y43-51 by widow Duchess Hilda Lavendula)
Bavarian Heimlich was born in the TS1 era, and his Doctor's journals report that he suffered from insomnia regarding the first half of his life. Several details suggested that he was of very high heritage, and because of his close tie to King Baltazar II of SimNation, Bavarian was bestowed Duke von Windenburg. He was already married to Renate Milda von Isle, and the fresh Duke and Duchess shortly founded their family at the Windenburg Castle, part of the ancient ruins just outside Oldtown. His second wife was Hilda Lavendula Hitsh, a widowed Baroness from the mountains. Duke Bavarian had 3 children, but only 2 grew up.
Y3 Duke Bavarian bestowed Emanuel Shallot with the new peerage Lord von Haunt, which is the oldest low nobility peerage. Y20 he bestowed E'gon Lenger with the new peerage Baron aus Isle. Y44 the widowed Duchess Hilda, who benefited from the widow rights until Y51, bestowed Dominic Fyres with the new peerage Lord von Dresden. This was back in the days when the widow rights included all of the peer's rights, and before they got rather limited as result of the revolution (Y120). A widow can no longer bestow or knight anyone, but anyway this could never be done without the Monarch's approval.
Bavarian did not impress much as a Military Admiral, but did a great job within Agriculture. Aged 61 (Y30) he was honored by the King with the «High Order of the Sprout» for growing huge amounts of grapes. Windenburg delivered grapes and nectar to the royal castle for decades to come.
Duke Bavarian's picture on the Heimlich Family Bow was based on a drawing and his Doctor's journals, but all other paintings of him and his family were most likely lost in the big castle fire Y41.
 |
| Olav Heimlich? |
Duke von Windenburg Y51-89.
Olav Heimlich was the only son of Bavarian, and was crowned Duke aged 26. He married Margreta Louisa Winston, Lady of Zeddlemore (today's Fashion District, San Myshuno). They had 1 son and 3 daughters, but only 3 grew up.
Duke Olav was a great Admiral, and the great war lasted his entire period. Y45-81 was filled with wars and political conflicts, and he became a very important man to the warmonger King Rupert I (reigned Y45-77). Olav was awarded for war efforts Y65, and Y73 he received the High Order of Warriors. Later he formalized the Oldtown Market (South Square Y77 and Hare Square Y79) which awarded him the Order of the Golden Lion (Y84).
During Olav's years there were a couple fires in the Windenburg Castle, the most dramatic in Y80, said to be started by war enemies bombing Oldtown, as this was the final year of an intense war ongoing for 3 years. This event forced Olav to retire from Military, and his household moved to Quad Manor in Oldtown. This building had been used by the duke previously, as the fortress became less private after the Church of Similius established there. Y89 Olav left the peerage to his son and successor, Hendrian.
His portrait is questionable, but historians are 90% sure it's Duke Olav either right before coronation or shortly after. They dated the painting Y51.
Hendrian Heimlich (56-132)
Duke von Windenburg Y89-141
(Y132-141 by widow Duchess Saphira Louise)
Hendrian Heimlich was crowned aged 33. He married Lady Saphira Louise Ross, daughter of the Duke of Rossie. They had 1 son and 4 daughters, and only one child died before reaching young adult.
Duke Hendrian did very well as a Duke, despite the following conflict filled period from Y101 and up to the nation wide revolution Y120. His household left the old Quad Manor behind and had built their new estate on Windeburg Isle. During the conflicting period this new house was constantly expanded, something that might have upset the revolutionists even more. They wanted all nobility gone! Hendrian had been the leader of the Royal Chamber, which was now officially abolished as there was no Royal Family (King Wizar died Y118, leaving no heirs, historians claim the lack of heir caused the actual revolution).
Y121 Duke Hendrian introduced a new title, and Rabaan Rab-Saxor was bestowed Lord Lykke (Harbor & Isle). After this, the Duke had 4 low nobles under his wings; Baron aus Isle, Lord von Haunt, Lord von Dresden and Lord Lykke (the latter with a noble title, but not really counting as low nobility).
There exists no painting of Duke Hendrian or his family.
Duke Hendrian died in a big house fire aged 76 (Y132) . Duchess Saphira benefited from widow rights until their son Gustav was old enough to be crowned Duke von Windenburg.
 |
| Gustav Heimlich |
Duke von Windenburg Y141-188.
Gustav was crowned Y141, aged 27. He married Brynhilde Louise Alcorn, of a better situated Oldtown family. They had only one son, Merlin Edvard.
Gustav was an Admiral, but his period was very peaceful. Still, Y151 he receved the High Order of Warriors. Y164 was a bad year for grapes, which affected the dukedom's finances negatively. The following years were quite troublesome, and they had to fire servants and sell off a few belongings. Times were changing, and Duke Gustav realized the importance of education of the future generation, and he founded Windenburg Business High School, located in Oldtown. The school quickly gained popularity, and students attended not only from Windenburg. For his work with the school Duke Gustav was honored the High Order of the Lion (Y184).
There were several minor house fires, but only the fire Y175 was catastrophic. Despite many a heirloom getting lost to the flames, today there exist several paintings of Duke Gustav at the Estate von Windenburg.
 |
| Mervil Edvard Heimlich |
Duke von Windenburg Y188-191
(Y190-191 by widow Duchess Helena).
The last Duke von Windenburg was crowned Y188, aged 36. Y190 he married Helena Peters, a commoner from San Myshuno, but they had no children before Merlin died only a month after their wedding. He probably drowned while fishing during a storm, and his body was never found. The widow struggled to make ends meet, and remarried only a few weeks later reportedly to secure finances. She then had three children but they had of course no rights to this peerage.
According to law a high nobility widow could keep the peerage for 10 years, but Helena's title and rights were shortly questioned as the late Duke Merlin died before his wife was even formally instated with the Duchess title. Lawyers insisted that marriage alone was not enough for deserving the peerage's widow rights. She lost her Duchess title Y191.
Y115 (25 years after the death of the last Peer) the Windenburg peerage officially expired.
Y130 (40 years after the death of the last Peer) the Windenburg peerage Trust will expire.
Added: Y225 the dukedom is reactivated!
Politics
The Windenburg dukes were always close to the King, being the Royal Chamber's leader made them the highest ranked royal advisor. This was ended by the revolution. The current Royal Family is situated farther away and the system is anyway less hermetic these days as the many Councils are in charge of community matters.
The Windenburg District Order is not working actively with politics, but as these orders are often used to build alliances between districts, they can indeed be seen as political tools. The order is lead by Duke von Windenburg in person, and can only be operated when there is a Duke. The max 8 members are honored for lifetime, so even with no Duke since Y190, there are still a few members.
The blue Windenburg sash/medal is reserved members, and there used to be an annual gala event, which is no longer hosted, reasonably. Instead, Lord von Dresden gathers low nobility for a dinner at Dresden House.
Professions
This peerage's expected career is Military, but also Business is accepted. The first four Dukes were all in Military, while Duke Mervil Edvard Heimlich focused on a growing nectar business.
On the more personal arena, several of the Dukes von Windenburg were interested in Agriculture and grapes in particular. Duke Gustav, founder of Windenburg Business High School, was quite intellectual and supported higher education, but it's less likely that he ever performed as a Teacher or Professor himself.
Possessions
The Windenburg Trust is the formal owner of the Von Windenburg Estate, as well as some of the old jewelries that still exist. Duke Gustav sold a few items, and the widowed Duchess Helena also sold off some items, although she did not have any right doing so. Knowing there would be no new Duke, it probably felt less important keeping old jewelry. She was stopped by Windenburg Historical Museum confiscating all remaining jewelry. They are now occasionally displayed to the audience.
Among those jewels we find the Windenburg Coronation Crown, an introduction gift from King Baltazar II (Y2). All dukedoms have a similar crown, but it is more of a ritual than something a Duke would wear besides on Coronation Day. There is also a Coronation Ring, which was used also at specific formal events, and in particular when knighting new members for the Windenburg District Order.
The remaining jewels are the Wessex Aquamarine set (reportedly based on items of the TS1 era), and the Fish Bone set, which origins from the since long expired Barony aus Isle.
See the Windenburg Jewelry Box for more details.
Windenburg Trust also owns The Alcorn Aubusson Rug which origin is Y129 and a few decades ago was valued at §67 000. This was originally a gift for Rasmus Alcorn, Baron aus Isle, but shortly ended as property of the Heimlich family, and currently the Windenburg Trust.
Windenburg Trust originally owned all land of Windenburg, but as community formed more lots were sold off in early days. The trust owned the entire Isle up to some land was gifted to Monastery of Similius (Y102). The remaining land except the Estate was sold out as residential lots (Y156-168) to raise funds. The Bluffs is still owned by the trust.
Economics
Windenburg is 1 of 8 high nobility districts, and financially it's been hunting top 2 when it comes to total peerage values, including all peerages of the district. Meadows and Rossie were richer all along, until Y200 when Windenburg actually surpassed Rossie. Meadows has steadily topped the list.
Breaking it down per peerage, the dukedom itself was naturally the wealthiest peerage of Windenburg, but has not managed to increase in value during these 200 years. It's especially after Y150 that it went a bit downhill. We already learned about the big fire, that Duke Gustav sold off stuff and that even more was sold after Duke Merlin's drowning.
Of the other smaller peerages, only Lord von Haunt managed to successfully increase values, after the House of Fyres replaced the House of Shallot. Lord von Dresden has decreased in value all long though, and is currently only a third of what they used to be. Lord Lykke is the only title introduced after the revolution, and has been going steady, nothing more.
Descendants
House of Heimlich never managed to spread widely, and today there is only one distant relative in Newcrest, married to Priest Antonius of the Church of Similius. She is not a legit heir to the dukedom, though.
Hendrian Heimlich had 5 children, including the future Duke Gustav. Only 2 of his 4 sisters lived long enough to get married. Lady Margrida married to the Baron of Shiningham (Rossie), but died without children. Lady Amalida married to Baron of Myshuno, and she had 2 sons who were in line of successors to Windenburg dukedom, but they both died young. Only Amalida's daughter, the already mentioned Lady Rizhira grew up, but Law allows only one female generation, so neither Rizhira nor her children are legit heirs.
Duke Merlin had no siblings, so when he drowned there existed no heirs to the Windenburg dukedom.
Politics
The Windenburg dukes were always close to the King, being the Royal Chamber's leader made them the highest ranked royal advisor. This was ended by the revolution. The current Royal Family is situated farther away and the system is anyway less hermetic these days as the many Councils are in charge of community matters.
The Windenburg District Order is not working actively with politics, but as these orders are often used to build alliances between districts, they can indeed be seen as political tools. The order is lead by Duke von Windenburg in person, and can only be operated when there is a Duke. The max 8 members are honored for lifetime, so even with no Duke since Y190, there are still a few members.
The blue Windenburg sash/medal is reserved members, and there used to be an annual gala event, which is no longer hosted, reasonably. Instead, Lord von Dresden gathers low nobility for a dinner at Dresden House.
Professions
This peerage's expected career is Military, but also Business is accepted. The first four Dukes were all in Military, while Duke Mervil Edvard Heimlich focused on a growing nectar business.
On the more personal arena, several of the Dukes von Windenburg were interested in Agriculture and grapes in particular. Duke Gustav, founder of Windenburg Business High School, was quite intellectual and supported higher education, but it's less likely that he ever performed as a Teacher or Professor himself.
 |
| Year 146: Duke Gustav Heimlich von Windenburg, with Duchess Saphira and their son Baron Mervil Edvard. |
Possessions
The Windenburg Trust is the formal owner of the Von Windenburg Estate, as well as some of the old jewelries that still exist. Duke Gustav sold a few items, and the widowed Duchess Helena also sold off some items, although she did not have any right doing so. Knowing there would be no new Duke, it probably felt less important keeping old jewelry. She was stopped by Windenburg Historical Museum confiscating all remaining jewelry. They are now occasionally displayed to the audience.
Among those jewels we find the Windenburg Coronation Crown, an introduction gift from King Baltazar II (Y2). All dukedoms have a similar crown, but it is more of a ritual than something a Duke would wear besides on Coronation Day. There is also a Coronation Ring, which was used also at specific formal events, and in particular when knighting new members for the Windenburg District Order.
The remaining jewels are the Wessex Aquamarine set (reportedly based on items of the TS1 era), and the Fish Bone set, which origins from the since long expired Barony aus Isle.
See the Windenburg Jewelry Box for more details.
Windenburg Trust also owns The Alcorn Aubusson Rug which origin is Y129 and a few decades ago was valued at §67 000. This was originally a gift for Rasmus Alcorn, Baron aus Isle, but shortly ended as property of the Heimlich family, and currently the Windenburg Trust.
Economics
Windenburg is 1 of 8 high nobility districts, and financially it's been hunting top 2 when it comes to total peerage values, including all peerages of the district. Meadows and Rossie were richer all along, until Y200 when Windenburg actually surpassed Rossie. Meadows has steadily topped the list.
Breaking it down per peerage, the dukedom itself was naturally the wealthiest peerage of Windenburg, but has not managed to increase in value during these 200 years. It's especially after Y150 that it went a bit downhill. We already learned about the big fire, that Duke Gustav sold off stuff and that even more was sold after Duke Merlin's drowning.
Of the other smaller peerages, only Lord von Haunt managed to successfully increase values, after the House of Fyres replaced the House of Shallot. Lord von Dresden has decreased in value all long though, and is currently only a third of what they used to be. Lord Lykke is the only title introduced after the revolution, and has been going steady, nothing more.
Descendants
House of Heimlich never managed to spread widely, and today there is only one distant relative in Newcrest, married to Priest Antonius of the Church of Similius. She is not a legit heir to the dukedom, though.
Hendrian Heimlich had 5 children, including the future Duke Gustav. Only 2 of his 4 sisters lived long enough to get married. Lady Margrida married to the Baron of Shiningham (Rossie), but died without children. Lady Amalida married to Baron of Myshuno, and she had 2 sons who were in line of successors to Windenburg dukedom, but they both died young. Only Amalida's daughter, the already mentioned Lady Rizhira grew up, but Law allows only one female generation, so neither Rizhira nor her children are legit heirs.
Duke Merlin had no siblings, so when he drowned there existed no heirs to the Windenburg dukedom.
Updated Y225: Duke von Windenburg is back! But still with no descendants.
Most recent household
The last Heimlich household lasted for only a month. Duke Mervil Edvard Heimlich von Windenburg was said to be more interested in his nectar business, actually started by his father, Duke Gustav, and his fishing, than in establishing a family. When he finally married the commoner Helena Peters, locals applauded although it all seemed a bit fishy. The drowning was a shock to everyone, but then the double shock occurred when the widow remarried right away. Many locals suspected that a crime had taken place, but Police could not prove anything as long as there was no dead body.
Helena formally lost her Duchess title, but kept using it privately. Her new husband, Jacques Villareal, got no title nor privileges at all. The house is still property of The Windenburg Trust, administrated by Windenburg Historical Museum, but is rented by Jacques Villareal. He is now alone with 3 grown up children (Luna, Hugo and Max), as Helena died from falling down some stairs many years ago.
Windenburg Trust is set to expire in year 230 (40 years from death of last sovereign). Because of this, it's likely that the Villareals will be allowed to rent the house for the remaining 6 years. Thereafter the house will most likely be sold on the private market.
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| Year 190: Merlin Edvard Heimlich with wife Helena (Peters). Duke and Ducchess von Windenburg. |
Most recent household
The last Heimlich household lasted for only a month. Duke Mervil Edvard Heimlich von Windenburg was said to be more interested in his nectar business, actually started by his father, Duke Gustav, and his fishing, than in establishing a family. When he finally married the commoner Helena Peters, locals applauded although it all seemed a bit fishy. The drowning was a shock to everyone, but then the double shock occurred when the widow remarried right away. Many locals suspected that a crime had taken place, but Police could not prove anything as long as there was no dead body.
 |
| Year 196: Former Duchess Helena P. H. Villareal von Windenburg and husband Jacques Villareal. |
Helena formally lost her Duchess title, but kept using it privately. Her new husband, Jacques Villareal, got no title nor privileges at all. The house is still property of The Windenburg Trust, administrated by Windenburg Historical Museum, but is rented by Jacques Villareal. He is now alone with 3 grown up children (Luna, Hugo and Max), as Helena died from falling down some stairs many years ago.
Windenburg Trust is set to expire in year 230 (40 years from death of last sovereign). Because of this, it's likely that the Villareals will be allowed to rent the house for the remaining 6 years. Thereafter the house will most likely be sold on the private market.
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