Liebenstein and Sternfels

Two ruined castles of the Rhine. According to tradition, Leoline, the orphan, was the sole surviving child of the lord of Liebenstein; and two brothers, named Warbeck and Otho, were the surviving children of the lord of Sternfels. Both the brothers fell in love with Leoline; but, as Leoline gave the preference to Otho, Warbeck joined the Crusades. A Templar in time persuaded Otho to do the same; but, the war being over, Otho stayed at Constantinople, where he fell in love with a Greek, whom he brought home for his bride. Leoline retired to the adjacent convent of Bornhofen. Warbeck defied his brother to single combat for this insult to his betrothed; but Leoline with the nuns interposed to prevent the fight. The Greek wife, in time, eloped with one of the inmates of Sternfels, and Otho died childless. A band of robbers broke into the convent; but Warbeck armed in its defence. He repelled the robbers, but received his death-wound, and died in the lap of Leoline; thus passed away the last lord of Liebenstein. (Traditions of the Rhine.)

1