Schüpfen

Schüpfen is first mentioned in 1208 as Scuphon. Prehistoric traces of a settlement in the area include Mesolithic and Bronze Age artifacts, along with Hallstatt and La Tene grave mounds. The area remained inhabited during the Roman era and Early Middle Ages. The Ministerialis (unfree knights in the service of a feudal overlord) family of Schüpfen ruled the village for the Zähringens and Kyburgs from 1208 until 1405. Schüpfen was a center of local administration for several surrounding communities. In 1405, the Lords of Mattstetten inherited Schüpfen from the Schüpfen family. They then donated the village and surrounding lands to the Hospitallers at Münchenbuchsee Commandery. During the 14th century, Frienisberg Abbey bought much of the property in the village. After the secularization of the Abbey in 1528, the village became part of the Bernese bailiwick of Frienisberg.