#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.

#99 The Great Treason of 1288 – Cologne joins the Battle of Worringen – The History of Cologne

In this episode, we step back to June 4, 1288, the eve of one of the most significant military clashes in medieval European history. We find Archbishop Siegfried von Westerburg waiting in the dim light of Brauweiler Abbey, confident in his superior numbers but facing a shocking betrayal. We deconstruct the popular myths of "freedom-loving citizens vs. tyrannical lords" to reveal a complex power struggle involving the Limburg succession dispute and a strategic shift that changed the Rhine forever.

1. #99 The Great Treason of 1288 – Cologne joins the Battle of Worringen 33:47
2. #98 A Who’s Who of the Battle of Worringen 1288 34:02
3. #97 The Limburg War of Succession 26:33
4. #96 The Holy Roman Empire at the Time of the Battle of Worringen 29:04
5. #95 The 1275 Friendship Treaty: Siegfried von Westerburg and Cologne’s New Gothic City Seal 38:02

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.