Adolf I, Count of the Mark

Castle Altena in Altena. First residence of the Counts of Altena, the title and family name were later changed, by Adolf I, to La Mark
Coat of arms of the counts of the Mark

Adolf I, Count de la Mark (German: Adolf I. Graf von der Mark und Krickenbeck; c. 1182? – 28 June 1249), until 1226 also known as Adolf I, Count of Altena-Mark. He was son of Frederick I, Count of Berg-Altena and Alveradis of Krickenbeck, daughter of Reiner of Krieckenbeck-Millendonk.[1][better source needed][2]

Adolf belonged to a collateral line of the counts of Berg and was founder of the new noble branch of the Counts de la Mark.

Following the year 1226, he reunited the lands of the Counts of Berg-Altena, which had been in possession of the counts of Altena and Isenberg, the senior lines of the family ever since the division of their heritage in 1180, thereby forming the county of Mark with its capital city of Hamm. Moreover, Adolf I was reeve of the monasteries of Cappenberg and Werden.

  1. ^ Marek, Miroslav. "Genealogische Tafeln (Kleve)". Genealogy.EU.[self-published source].
  2. ^ Genealogie Mittelalter Archived September 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine