Neuenstein is located half way between Heilbronn and Schwaebisch Hall, just accross from Öhringen.
At beginning of the 11th century Öhringen was the center of the dukedom of Hohenlohe. In the 3rd century the Romans in this area had to give way to the Alemannen and in the 5th century the area was under the dominion of the Franconia. From now this region was called Deutschfranken (Franconia teutonica).
The division of the country into ‘Gaue’ (districts) took place in first half of the middle ages. In the region these were the Kochergau, the Neckargau and the Jagstgau. The whole land was divided in many small possessions. Often it were only small places that were sold or mortgaged The monastery of Schöntal in the Jagst river valley also had a very strong influence on this. Most historic documents of the area are kept at the central archive located at Neuenstein castle.
During the turn of the 10th century the free imperial city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber housed the counts of Comburg-Rothenburg.