Lixfeld was part of the Wittengestein landholdings. Digs on the "Kirchberg" have revealed that sometime in the 9th or 10th century, a castle with a tower was built in the glen overlooking the old road. Lixfeld was also one of the oldest seats of an early mediaeval court of law and enjoyed something of a heyday at that time. The local Imperial count moved into the castle and held court under a great linden tree with the local freemen. The castle's masters also forced merchants using the road down below to pay tolls. Charcoal works were set up in the forests, and in the dales, bloomeries and smithies were busy smelting and working iron.