Originating from Franconia, the Schwarzenbergs had a growing role during the sixteenth century serving many princes in Empire and the Habsburgs. Thanks to his successes against the Turks, Adolf was made by Rudolf II count of Empire in 1598. Nevertheless, it came to Johann Adolf (1615-1683) to bring his family at the first rank of aristocracy when he was elevated at princely status in 1670. He was held to be the richest lord serving the emperor. From 1670 onwards, he owned very large seignorial estates in Bohemia.