Adolf Künkel
| Adolf Künkel | |
|---|---|
| King of München | |
 | |
| Petty King of München | |
| Reign | 16 August 908 - 26 October 910 |
| Predecessor | Bertrand (?) |
| Successor | Albricht Künkel |
| Born | Barony of Tölz |
| Buried | Eschenlohe Keep, Eschenlohe |
| Noble family | Künkel |
| Spouse(s) | Wulfhilde von Glarus |
| Father | Bertrand (?) |
| Mother | Unknown |
| Religion | Catholic |
Adolf Künkel sometimes called Adolf the Builder was Lord of Eschenlohe and later petty King of München from 867 until his death. He was the head of the Künkel dynasty and was responsible for guiding the Lordship of Eschenlohe through the aftermath of the Great Collapse and creating the petty Kingdom of München. We do not know whether Adolf's predecessor died or was deposed as most information was lost due to the Great Collapse. Nor do we know Adolf's exact relationship to Bertrand, though we can assume Adolf was a close relation if not his son.
The first significant event of Adolf's reign was marked by the marriage of Adolf to Wulfhilde von Glarus of Augsburg and creating a formal alliance with Lord Otto. With the political apparatus so fragile, creating a proper heir and a formal alliance gave much needed stability to the region. Thereafter, Adolf spent much of his time and effort governing the lordship of Eschenlohe, only aggressively expanding three times during his reign. The first war fought by Adolf resulted in a defeat against the independent lordship of München. At the time, Lord Otto of Augsburg was allied with both Adolf and the Lord of München, and had declined Adolf's call to arms and instead honoured their alliance with München. The result of the war put Adolf into significant debt and sour terms with Augsburg. The second expansive war was against the lorship of Alpsee, resulting in a victory and the former lord relinquishing all land and title directly to Adolf. Year's later, Adolf would launch a second war to take München, this time with greater success and no interference from Augsburg. The final war waged by Adolf was for Falkenstein, pressing a personal claim. Victorious and claiming the land of Falkenstein, Lord Adolf would go on to declare himself the petty King of München (Munich) but choosing to keep the realm capital at Eschenlohe. The usage of the name München was only for denoting the region around the city of Munich.
Adolf had earned a reputation for being a builder and skilled architect, funding many development projects, most notably a massive irrigation project to bring water to previously unsuitable land and fostering logging operations in the densly wooded areas around Eschenlohe.
Adolf died in October of 910 at age 65. Upon his death, the petty Kingdom of München would be divided among Adolf's three sons. Albricht would become King of München and hold Eschenlohe and Falkenstein, Hunfried would hold the city of München and surrounding lands, and Adolf's youngest son Rudolf would be given Alpsee and the city of Peiting. His remains were buried in the court graveyard near the keep in Eschenlohe