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We must not forget to mention that Vintler was an intimate friend and admirer of Oswald von Wolkenstein who often played a prominent part in the contests of minstrelsy for which Runggelstein was famed. Having overthrown the ReceiverGeneral, Friedrich followed up this success by active measures against various other members of the Bund. The Lichstensteins of Karneid and other kinsmen and friends of the powerful Wolkensteins were the next to feel the weight of his hand. The Wolkensteins turn was to come later. Meanwhile Oswalds false love, Sabina Hauss man, had lost her elderly husband, and being free to use his wealth to forward her ambitions, Oswald von Wolkenstein 33 was now an established power at the court of Tirol. Her dazzling beauty had speedily en slaved Friedrichs too susceptible fyeart, and she was employing her wiles to inflame his wrath against her rejected lover in order to press her claims for compensation as heiress of Hauenstein. She coolly valued her share of the Jager estate at 6, 000 gulden, and demanded that Oswald should either pay this preposterous sum, or be forced to make restitution of the castle and lands. As we have already explained, the Wolken steins had taken full possession of Hauenstein before Oswalds birth. Therefore, in accord ance with the creed and custom of the time, our hero was not only devoid of responsibility for his predecessors deeds however irregular they may have been but bound to preserve his inheritance intact. Besides, he had the completest belief in the soundness of his title. His grandfather had purchased Hauenstein from the Jagers and given it to him at his birth. What could be clearer ? His dearest ambition

wife. Thus she would have been mistress of all. Her claim such as it was to a share of the estate had been forfeited by her own act, when she had broken faith with him in favour of the burgher of Hall. Let her rave ! Not a scrap of Hauenstein soil, not a single gold piece would he yield ! Nevertheless, Oswald soon found it advisable to go abroad for a while. Things were at a deadlock in Tirol ; fresh plans must be hatched to strengthen the nobles cause. Also, there was another and still more pressing reason for flight. In spite of Sabinas virulent enmity, he was always thinking of her, always haunted by her too seductive image and shrank from meeting her face to face. A word, a smile, and he would be again at her feet ! So, in 1408, he started for Spain, to take part in a crusade against the Moors about to be waged by King John of Portugal. At most critical moments, the mediaeval side of Oswalds nature always regained the mastery, and to do battle for the faith seemed the best means of safety from temptations of the flesh.