Allgemein

#68 Two Archbishops and Two Kings – The German Throne Dispute III

The German Throne Dispute at the beginning of the 13th century continues and Cologne is right in the middle of it.

Two Kings, Philipp of Swabia of the Hohenstaufen and Otto IV of the Welfs, are fighting for the crown in the empire. If the German Throne Dispute around 1200 was not complicated enough, two Cologne Archbishops are also fighting for their, in their eyes, rightful place, as Cologne’s city ruler. Adolf of Altena vs. Bruno of Sayn.

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Archbishop Adolf of Altena

Credit: Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln
Siegel, Erzbischof Adolf I. von Altena (1193-1205, 1212-1216), 2. Siegel, an einer Urkunde von 1214, 1214, Historisches Archiv der Stadt Köln, Köln.

Bruno of Sayn

Sadly, there is no image of Bruno of Sayn that can’t be presented here.

Bruno of Sayn, serving as the Archbishop of Cologne from 1205 to 1208, was a prominent yet short lived ecclesiastical figure in the early 13th century.

Pope Innocence III

Fresco from 1219

Pope Innocent III, born Lotario dei Conti di Segni (1160–1216), was one of the most influential popes of the Middle Ages. He reigned from 1198 to 1216, asserting the power of the Church over European affairs, organizing the Fourth Crusade, and playing a key role in the politics of the time, including the Albigensian Crusade.

English King John Lackland

1250s

John Lackland (1166–1216), King of England, played a role in the German throne dispute. He initially supported his nephew, Otto IV, against Philipp of Swabia but shifted alliances after the Treaty of Le Goulet with France in 1200, indirectly impacting the German political landscape. When in conflict began again in 1202 between France and England, he sided again with Otto IV.

The two candidates for the throne

Hohenstaufen dynasty: Philip of Swabia
Chronic of Weißenau monastery, ca. 1250

Philipp of Swabia was a member of the Hohenstaufen dynasty and King of Germany from 1198. His reign was marked by the German throne dispute with Otto IV, a key part of the broader conflict between the Welf and Hohenstaufen dynasties.

Welf dynasty: Otto IV. (of Braunschweig-Poitou)
Otto IV in the middle greeting Pope Innocence III. by Diebold Lauber, 15th century.

Otto IV was a member of the Welf dynasty and Holy Roman Emperor and in dispute with Philipp of Swabia.

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