#29 Hildebold and Charlemagne – a lifelong friendship

#29 Hildebold and Charlemagne – a lifelong friendship The History of Cologne

A fateful encounter at the end of the 8th century. A young priest named Hildebold is celebrating mass in a small village church just outside the city of Cologne. A huntsman enters the church and is immediately taken by the priest's modesty and piety. What Hildebold does not know, however. This man is not a hunter. He is Charlemagne. Why does the King of the Franks disguise himself as a hunter here in Cologne? You will find out in this episode.

A fateful encounter at the end of the 8th century. A young priest named Hildebold is celebrating mass in a small village church just outside the city of Cologne. A huntsman enters the church and is immediately taken by the priest’s modesty and piety. What Hildebold does not know, however. This man is not a hunter. He is Charlemagne. Why does the King of the Franks disguise himself as a hunter here in Cologne? You will find out in this episode.

Charlemagne and Kunibert of Cologne become best friends in the 780s. With the king’s help Hildebold gets appointed as the new bishop of Cologne. Together they reform the Frankish Empire. The so-called Carolingian Renaissance would reform the Frankish Empire and the whole of Western Europe forever.

#57 Shadow and Light: The Jewish Community in Cologne in the 12th Century The History of Cologne

In this episode, we immerse ourselves in 12th century medieval Cologne and explore the fascinating life of the Jewish community that existed in the midst of a predominantly Christian majority society. We learn about the everyday hostilities the Jewish population faced, but also about phases of cooperation and joint action.
  1. #57 Shadow and Light: The Jewish Community in Cologne in the 12th Century
  2. #56 From Economic Power to Political Dominance – Cologne's Brotherhood of the Rich in the 12th century
  3. #55 Rupert of Deutz and the Fire of 1128
  4. #54 Who owns the city? (in the 12th century)
  5. #53 When the church bells in Cologne were silenced: The Interdict of 1119
Bishop Hildebold on a mosaic in Cologne Cathedral

Charlemagne (Charles the Great)

Krieler Dömchen (Kriel Cathedral)

Pfalz in Cologne

Up until the 19th century everything was crowded with buildings. Since WW2 this is a square south of Cologne Cathedral where once stood the Pfalz (the emperor’s/king’s or (arch)bishop’s palace)

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