#58 Unveiling the Lives of Everyday People: Flour, Pennies, and Quirky Nicknames in 12th Century Cologne

Step back in time and delve into the vibrant tapestry of everyday life in 12th century Cologne. In this captivating episode, we’ll whisk you away from the halls of power, bypassing bishops, kings, and emperors, to shine a light on the lives of ordinary Cologne citizens. Discover the intriguing origins of Cologne’s beloved Penny, a miniature precursor to the Euro, and unravel the captivating tale of the wealthiest resident of Cologne during the era. But it doesn’t stop there – prepare for a touch of whimsy as we unveil the quirky and comical bynames adopted by the city’s rich elite. Get ready to immerse yourself in a rich blend of history, humor, and intrigue as we paint a vivid portrait of Cologne’s vibrant society in the 12th century.

Rhine Mills

Drawn by Anton Wonnesam in 1531.

Image of the city “Agrippina or Cologne”, taken from Die Cronica van der hilligen stat van Coellen by John Koelhoff the younger, published in 1499. You can also see here the Rhinemills in the middle of the picture.

Cologne Penny

A Cologne Penny from early 11th century in the time of Archbishop Pilgrims reign.

Benedictine Monastery of the Holy Maccabees

Convent and church of the Benedictine nuns “Zu den hl. Machabäern.” Plan of the city of Cologne by Arnold Mercator, 1571.

Gerhard Unmaze

Von © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37843019

Figure of Gerhard Unmaze. The openly presented cassette filled with money bags as well as the documents at the foot stand for his charitable donations, the right foot stands on an architecture reminiscent of the medieval Stapelhaus. The scales graphically indicated on the mantle stand for his merchant activity.