#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.

#45 Anno II – The great Builder and City Ruler of the 11th century – The History of Cologne

Why did Anno II gouge out the eyes of all his jurymen in Cologne, according to legend? In the second half of the 11th century, Anno II ruled over the city of Cologne. With a lively building activity in the city, he is immortalized in the cityscape to this day. Also art, culture and trade prospered under his rule. And the veneration of St. George gave Anno unprecedented greatness here on the Rhine.

1. #45 Anno II – The great Builder and City Ruler of the 11th century 36:41
2. #44 The Coup of Kaiserswerth 46:37
3. #43 The Rise and Fall of the Ezzonids or How a single family dominated Cologne in the 11th century 27:50
4. Funfacts about Cologne – Summer Break Episode 14:45
5. #42 A Day in Court at Cologne Cathedral in the 11th century – An Ugly Archbishop and the Beauty of the Cologne Penny 42:24

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.