Simon II, Count of Sponheim-Kreuznach

Simon II, Count of Sponheim-Kreuznach
Born	c. 1270
Died	1336 Kastellaun
Noble family	House of Sponheim
Spouse(s)	Elisabeth II of Valkenburg
Father	John I, Count of Sponheim-Kreuznach
Mother	Adelaide of Leiningen-Landeck

Simon II of Sponheim (c. 1270 – 1336 in Kastellaun) was a German nobleman. He was a member of the House of Sponheim and a ruling Count of the Front County of Sponheim.

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 II.

He married Elisabeth II of Valkenburg in 1300. Around this time, the brothers divided the county. The dividing line was Soonwald Forest; Simon II ruled the part north of the forest, including Kirchberg and Kastellaun. Simon chose Kastellaun Castle as his residence, even though Kirchberg was the only town in his part of the county. 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.

Simon II's younger brother Emerich made two failed attempts to be elected Archbishop. Both attempts were blocked by the powerful Luxembourg family. After this blockade, Simon II and his brothers opposed Archbishop Baldwin of Archbishopric of Trier and supported his opponent, anti-king Frederick the Fair, the opponent of Emperor Louis IV. Their opposition to the Luxembourg dynasty formed the basis of their policies, and led to numerous feuds.

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