We will talk this episode about a small but significant minority in medieval Cologne of the late 11th/ early 12th century. The Jewish community of Cologne. Coexistence between the Jewish and the majority Christian population during the High Middle Ages was subject to constant changes. Long periods of almost good coexistence alternated with extremely brutal periods. One of them would happen in the year 1096. … Continue reading #49 Between Toleration and Persecution: Jewish Life around 1100 AD: The Pogrom of 1096 and the First Crusade

Germany in the 2nd half of the 11th century – Why everybody wanted to go to Heaven – Why Anno really kidnapped Henry IV. This episode I would like to take a more general look at this turbulent time, the second half of the 11th century. Which developments shaped this time, medieval Germany and to what extent they affected Anno and also the city of … Continue reading #48 Interview with Dirk Hoffmann-Becking from History of the Germans Podcast

The Archbishop of Cologne Anno II (1056-1075) was chased out of the city by an angry mob after incurring the wrath of the merchant class. In neighboring Deutz, the prince of the church and the empire ponders revenge and gathers a large army to return to Cologne. St. George in Cologne St. George, Anno’s own church foundation, which was in 1074 AD still just outside … Continue reading #47 Annos Revenge – The Archbishop strikes back 1074 AD

It is shortly after Easter, the highest feast of Christianity, in the year 1074 AD. Just then, Archbishop Anno of Cologne celebrated the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord together with the Bishop of Münster. But when he sends out his servants to confiscate his guest an ideal Rhine ship that does not even belong to him for the guest’s journey home, the situation … Continue reading #46 Enough is enough! – The Revolt of 1074 AD against Archbishop Anno II. in 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 … Continue reading #45 Anno II – The great Builder and City Ruler of the 11th century

A man from the lower nobility of southern Germany becomes Archbishop of Cologne, crushes the power of the Ezzones in the Rhineland and kidnaps the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire: Anno II. is a man that is truly not forgotten in Cologne to this day. The year is 1062: the young king of the Holy Roman Empire, Henry IV, a teenager, is celebrating a … Continue reading #44 The Coup of Kaiserswerth

The noble family of the Ezzones was at the height of power in the 11th century. The namesake and Count Palatine of Lorraine named Ezzo had already attained an almost ducal position on the Rhine around the year 1000. How had he managed this? It was, as so often in life, the circumstance of having the right connections and the right nose. Ezzo had successfully … Continue reading #43 The Rise and Fall of the Ezzonids or How a single family dominated Cologne in the 11th century