Canstein

Canstein takes its name from the “Dicker Stein” (thick stone) or “Kantstein” (corner stone), which means “stone at the edge” or “stone at the corner.” However, the word is likely of Celtic origin.

Canstein was first mentioned in a document in 1342. That year, Archbishop Walram of Cologne commissioned the von Papenheim brothers—Rave the Elder, Rave the Younger, and Herbold—to build a fortified castle on the Canstein. It was intended to serve as a border fortress against the Count of Waldeck and the Diocese of Paderborn. In defiance, the Count of Waldeck immediately built a castle opposite Canstein, which he named “Grimmenstein.” However, following a settlement with the Archbishop of Cologne, he had it demolished in 1346.

The Ravens of Papenheim, who had their castle near the now-vanished village of Papenheim close to Warburg, now called themselves the Ravens of Canstein. During the era of the robber barons, they made themselves notorious. They belonged to the notorious Benglerbund and particularly targeted and plundered the Waldeck border towns, such as Adorf and Mengeringhausen. The so-called “Freischießen,” celebrated there every seven years, still commemorates the raid on Mengeringhausen.

Through marriage, the Barons of Spiegel zum Desenberg near Warburg became co-owners of Canstein in the 16th century and, in 1792 under Franz Wilhelm von Spiegel—who was also President of the Chamber of the Ecclesiastical Electorate of Cologne—became sole owners. The Canstein domain included the villages of Canstein, Udorf, Leitmar, and Borntosten. The farmers of these villages lived on “Meierhöfe” (farmsteads), which were granted to them by the respective vassal of the estate. In return, they had to pay tithes.

These free farmers were required to perform manual labor and provide draft animals for their lords and to deliver a tithe of their crops. Canstein Castle served as the seat of a court—the so-called patrimonial court—which adjudicated minor offenses such as theft, forest trespass, poaching, and even children’s truancy. Children who had missed school were required to perform farm work on the estates as punishment.
Franz Wilhelm von Spiegel was very keen on raising the religious and intellectual education of the people. In 1802, at his own expense and with the cooperation of the community residents, he converted an old farmhouse into a school. He called it the “Industrial School.” Lessons were taught in reading, arithmetic, writing, religion, and handicrafts. The girls learned to sew and knit. A woodworking shop was set up for the boys. The most notable teacher of this period was Peter Lübke from Balve, who from 1819 to 1824 made a beneficial impact in Canstein not only on the schoolchildren but also on the adults.

In 1834, the Archbishop of Cologne, August Ferdinand von Spiegel, had a chapel built in Canstein at his own expense; it was consecrated on August 10, 1837, and is dedicated to Saint Lawrence as its patron saint. But it was not until the 1920s that Canstein and Udorf—which until then had belonged to the parish of Heddinghausen—became an independent parish vicariate.

In 1838, Imperial Count Franz von Spee acquired Canstein Castle and the accompanying estate. From him, the property passed into the hands of Duke Franz Ferdinand von Ctoy in Dülmen in 1846. On October 1, 1853, an ancestor of the current owner, Baron Levin Ludwig von Elverfeldt, purchased the entire estate.

The history of the village of Canstein is closely linked to that of the castle.