First records of the Abele family first appear at the court of
Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria, where a member is listed in the court service. In 1547, the Abeles were awarded a nobility title and tenures in
Lower Austria and
Steiermark. The good reputation of the Abeles is linked primarily to Christoph Ignaz, who earned a name and a career in the higher civil service of Austria at the same time as
Johann Hocher, Freiherr von Hohenkrän, and his brother
Matthias Abele. Abele was awarded the title
von und zu Lilienberg, Erbherr auf Hacking on 5 November 1655 by
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor. He became imperial secretary and was in charge of important transactions. In 1667-1670, he took a principal place in the fact-finding committee at the process against the Hungarian
magnate conspiracy. In 1674 he was incorporated in the "old" nobility. Abele kept a large influence on the Privy Conferencial or Ministerial Council. The fall of
George Louis, Count of Sinzendorf in 1679 procured him the directorate of the
Hofkammer (
Court Chamber). At the same time, he was awarded the title of
baron. Two years later he became a
lord, and acquired the post of Privy Council. In 1683, Abele resigned the presidency of the Hofkammer but remained member of the Council. In 1684 he earned the title of
count and acts as commissar at the Hungarian royal court, but dies soon thereafter. ==Publications==