Fürspang Society

The Fürspang Society was founded at Würzburg in 1396 by 26 nobles from twelve Franconian families. Originally a burial and altar brotherhood devoted to Mary, it supported churches in Bamberg, Nuremberg and Würzburg. Its name referred to a brooch understood as a clasp from Mary's girdle.

Membership was hereditary within eligible families and was enlarged in 1505. The society inspired the Unicorn Society of 1481, but dwindled after the Reformation and dissolved in 1648.