History

In 954, Roßtal was first mentioned in the Saxon Chronicle by Monk Widukind of Corvey as "urbs horsadal" in the Saxon translation. There he described how King Otto I assaulted - in vain - the "town fortress of Roßtal", in which his son Liudolf had barricated himself.

But Roßtal is surely older than this. In pre-Franconian times three of the most important trade routes crossed close to Roßtal. The existence of a Franconian king's buildings and grounds close to Roßtal is considered certain. The latest research involving the etymology of the name Roßtal indicates that Roßtal was originally a Slavic settlement, thus suggesting that it predates Franconian history. It is therefore valid to assume that the history of Roßtal as a place began in the 7th century.

The name Roßtal that Widukind encountered and subsequently translated into "horsadal" meaning "valley of the horses", is both untypical for the language of the Franks as well as for names given in this period. It would also be unreasonable to assume that in the Roßtal of that time horse breeding was either desired or actually done. More likely is the Slavic interpretation of the name which means fork in the road or road crossing. Nevertheless, Roßtal's striking coat of arms has for several centuries depicted a royal mount standing under the portal of a gothic church and - despite of the results of the research - continues to do so.

According to the Saxon Chronicle Liudolf, Duke of Swabia and son from his father's first marriage, feared for his rights to the throne, and thus waged war against his father. After the besiege of the Roßtal fortress and an undecided battle, King Otto I finally defeated his son at Regensburg, but granted him mercy.
Unfortunately, historical records do not provide any comments on the further history of the fortress of Roßtal until 1048; however, it is assumed that it lost most of its importance, decayed or was destroyed by King Heinrich II.
It has, however, been clarified that the stones of the fortress were used as construction material for the St. Laurentius Church, which is ascribed to Irmingard von Hammerstein as its donator. After her death (about 1042) Irmingard von Hammerstein, who was related to King Heinrich II's wife Kunigunde, was intered in "her" church. She was worshipped as a saint by the people and her grave was a destination for many pilgrims.
Only the crypt from the early Romanesque period has remained of the original building.

In the course of history Roßtal changed its proprietors several times. An outstanding date in the history of Roßtal is April 22nd 1328, when Count Friedrich IV of Nuremberg was granted municipal rights for Roßtal by King Ludwig der Bayer. Thus, Roßtal received market rights, the right to appoint judges and to fortify the town. Subsequently, Roßtal was the responsible criminal court for 64 surrounding villages.

Unfortunately, the newly gained importance did not lead to a blossoming future of the town. A battle between the free city of Nuremberg and Count Friedrich V at Roßtal caused severe damage to the town. A great fire caused by lightning destroyed all of the interior decor of St. Laurentius Church, nine altars and both the graves of Irmingard von Hammerstein and her husband Duke Ernst.

The year 1632 was devastating for Roßtal's population. According to the church register more than 600 inhabitants lost their lives in that year of the Thirty Years' War.

Being part of the Duchy of Ansbach and Bayreuth, Roßtal became Prussian property in 1792, but only forteen years later, Prussia had to surrender Ansbach - and thus Roßtal as well - to the king of Bavaria for reparations after a lost war.

Due to financial reasons Roßtal relinquished its municipal rights in 1821 and had its status reduced to that of a country municipality. However, Roßtal retains the market rights until this day.

Based on these market rights, Roßtal holds its annual Martini Market (on the weekend preceding the 11th November), which includes exhibitions as well as the traditional "Pulzermärtel" figure (St. Martin wearing a fur cloak) distributing special pastries called "Martinerli".

Between 1845 and 1865 112 persons altogether emigrated from Roßtal to the United States, founding the towns Frankenmuth, Frankentrost and Frankenhilf in Michigan.

Today, Roßtal is surrounded by 16 villages that have had very close relation with Roßtal for centuries and are now joined together in a common district since the district reform of 1978.

Simone Steinheimer