Senn von Münsingen

The Senn von Münsingen were a knightly ministerial family of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, holding lands around Münsingen in the Aare basin and later near Buchegg and Balmegg. Johannes von Münsingen first used the surname Senn in 1241. The family served the counts of Kyburg and the prince-bishop of Basel and married into neighbouring houses.

Many sons entered the church. Johann was elected Bishop of Basel in 1335 and opened the city council to craftsmen in 1337. In the Aare basin wars the family backed its overlords against Bern and Solothurn, whose troops repeatedly sacked its castles.

Emperor Charles IV made Burkhard a baron in 1360, but the house could not keep its rank. Around 1410 the last heir Elisabeth sold the lordships of Münsingen, Buchegg and Diessenberg to Bern, Solothurn and Thun.