 Since 1512 the rule Wiesensteig was assigned to the Swabian Circle within the Holy Roman Empire.Count Ulrich XVII of Helfenstein (1524-1570) and his brother Sebastian († 1564) introduced in 1555 the Lutheran confession in Wiesensteig.1562/63 in the rule Wiesensteig a great witch-hunt took place in which at least 63 women and men were executed.