#30 The Elevation to Archbishopric and the Saxon Wars change Cologne forever – The History of Cologne

After 30 years of war between 772 and 804, Charlemagne subjugated the pagan Saxons in Northern Germany. With fire and sword, he brings the Frankish rule into the region and Christianity. With Cologne as the center of power as Archdiocese of Cologne for the next 1,000 years.

After 30 years of war between 772 and 804, Charlemagne subjugated the pagan Saxons in Northern Germany. With fire and sword, he brings the Frankish rule into the region and Christianity. With Cologne as the center of power as Archdiocese of Cologne for the next 1,000 years.

Charlemagne’s conquests in Saxony and his coronation as Roman emperor in 800 enabled the city of Cologne to transform from a peripheral city in the east of the Frankish Empire into a center of political and spiritual power. From Cologne, the newly conquered territories in northern Germany are missionized.

#97 The Limburg War of Succession – The History of Cologne

The Limburg War of Succession (1283–1288) was a brutal, five-year power struggle triggered by the death of Waleran IV, Duke of Limburg, and his only daughter, Irmgard. Since they left no direct heirs, the strategic and wealthy Duchy of Limburg (located in modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands) became the ultimate prize for the regional superpowers of the time. And Cologne in the middle of it.

1. #97 The Limburg War of Succession 26:33
2. #96 The Holy Roman Empire at the Time of the Battle of Worringen 29:04
3. #95 The 1275 Friendship Treaty: Siegfried von Westerburg and Cologne’s New Gothic City Seal 38:02
4. #94 The Expulsion of the Wise Men and the Aftermath of the Battle of Ulrepforte 35:29
5. #93 The Battle at Ulrepforte 39:40

Cologne Church Province

The Church Province of Cologne (KÖLN) with its suffragan bischoprics in the 16th century: Lüttich (Liege), Utrecht, Münster, Onsabrück, Minden and up until the middle of the 9th century also Bremen. (which is not part of the Cologne Church Province anymore in this map). Sadly I havent found a more accurate map. But since this church structure existed for exactly a thousand years, it doesn’t matter if the map is from 800 or 1500.

The Frankish Empire under Charlemagne

The Saxon Wars

Conversion of the Saxons to Christianity through Charlemagne. Painted by Alphonse de Neuville in 1869.