sentences:  From then until the early 16th century the abbey was caught up in continuing political disruption between the surrounding states and great families.At various times the monastery or the "Vogtei" (or both) was given, generally along with Heidenheim, to the Counts of Helfenstein or the rulers of Württemberg or Austria, and different emperors alternately granted it away in exchange for favours or mortgaged it, and then restored it to independence.On a couple of occasions it was given to the city of Ulm.