Background
Simon II was born around the year 1270 as a son of Count John I of Sponheim and his wife Adelaide of Leiningen-Landeck. After his father died in 1290, Simon II ruled the front county jointly with his brother John World War II
Simon II was born around the year 1270 as a son of Count John I of Sponheim and his wife Adelaide of Leiningen-Landeck. After his father died in 1290, Simon II ruled the front county jointly with his brother John World War II
Simon chose Kastellaun Castle as his residence, even though Kirchberg was the only town in his part of the county.
Around this time, the brothers divided the county. The dividing line was Soonwald Forest. II ruled the part north of the forest, including Kirchberg and Kastellaun.
He expanded the castle and the town, giving it city rights in 1305 and market rights in 1309.
Later, he built city walls and a new church, which today serves as the evangelical church. II"s younger brother Emerich made two failed attempts to be elected Archbishop.
Both attempts were blocked by the powerful Luxembourg family. Their opposition to the Luxembourg dynasty formed the basis of their policies, and led to numerous feuds.
In 1320, Baldwin captured the Sponheim city of Sprendlingen and besieged Kreuznach and Kastellaun.
A year later, II gave up and signed a peace treaty with Baldwin. In 1325, Baldwin constructed Balduinseck Castle, to weaken the position of Kastellaun Castle. Three years later, II supported the wildgraves of Nahegau, who fought Archbishop Baldwin over Schmidtburg Castle.
II died in 1336 and was buried in the church he had built in Kastellaun.
He was a member of the House of Sponheim and a ruling Count of the Front County of Sponheim.