Wikipedia
Sayn was a small German county of the Holy Roman Empire which, during the Middle Ages, existed within what is today Rheinland-Pfalz.
There have been two Counties of Sayn. The first emerged in 1139 and became closely associated with the County of Sponheim early in its existence. Count Henry II was notable for being accused of satanic orgies by the Church's German Grand Inquisitor, Conrad von Marburg, in 1233. Henry was acquitted by an assembly of bishops in Mainz, but Conrad refused to accept the verdict and left Mainz. It is unknown whether it was Henry's Knights which killed Conrad on his return to Thuringia, but investigation was foregone due to the cruelty of Conrad, despite Pope Gregory IX ordering his murderers to be punished. With the death of Henry in 1246, the County passed to the Counts of Sponheim-Eberstein and thence to Sponheim-Sayn in 1261.
The second County of Sayn emerged as a partition of Sponheim-Sayn in 1283 (the other partition being Sayn-Homburg). It was notable for its numerous co-reigns, and it endured until 1608 when it was inherited by the Counts of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn. A lack of clear heirs of William III of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn led to the temporary annexation of the comital territories by the Archbishop of Cologne until the succession was decided. In 1648 following the Thirty Years' War, the County was divided between Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn-Altenkirchen and Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hachenburg.
Usage examples of "sayn".
He stepped over to the window and looked out over the city of Sayn Shanda.
Remo said, his eyes on the white fingerlike apartment houses that dominated the Sayn Shanda skyline.
If I do not return by daybreak, surround Sayn Shanda and ransom me if you can.
Master of Sinanju noticed, as his pony topped the rise and the provincial capital of Sayn Shanda lay revealed, was the activity in the gers studding the surrounding pastureland.
He had resisted being led to Sayn Shanda until two Mongols fell upon him and bound him to his horse.
Boldbator Khan rode up to the outskirts of Sayn Shanda, an ornate teakwood box under one padded arm.
I know you will not wish me to depart Sayn Shanda without word going out-and you will happily see me to my destination.
That when that one was dead, soothly to sayn, His fellow went and sought him down in hell: But of that story list me not to write.
And, shortly of this matter for to sayn, He fell in office with a chamberlain, The which that dwelling was with Emily.
In such a guise, as I shall to you sayn Betwixte you and me, and that full soon.
For it vanquisheth, as these clerkes sayn, Thinges that rigour never should attain.
Or grave or painte: for I dare well sayn, Apelles, Zeuxis, shoulde work in vain, Either to grave, or paint, or forge, or beat, If they presumed me to counterfeit.
For certainly, as these clerkes sayn, Where as a man may have no audience, Nought helpeth it to telle his sentence.
And this is for to sayn, By the dragon, Mercury, and none other, He understood, and Brimstone by his brother, That out of Sol and Luna were y-draw.
And night and day did ever his diligence Her for to please, and do her reverence: Save only, if that I the sooth shall sayn, Jealous he was, and would have kept her fain.