On 5 June 1288, the Battle of Worringen took place, serving as the violent climax to the Limburg War of Succession. This battle featured a “who’s who” of the north-western Holy Roman Empire and transformed the Rhineland from a chaotic mosaic of dominions into a new political reality. Rather than a tale of good versus evil, the conflict was a raw struggle for land, power, … Continue reading #98 A Who’s Who of the Battle of Worringen 1288
How could such a violent battle at Worringen in 1288 happen? Just north of Cologne’s city limits? In this episode we take a short look at the Empire as a whole and how it was fundamentally changing on its way into the Late Middle Ages and affecting the events to unfold in the Battle of Worringen. The Interregnum – the era without an emperor 1250-1273 … Continue reading #96 The Holy Roman Empire at the Time of the Battle of Worringen
In 1275, Cologne entered an unexpected agreement that reshaped its relationship with one of the most powerful men in the empire: the new Archbishop of Cologne. At the same time, the city received a remarkable new Gothic seal—an object that tells us more about medieval identity, politics, and ambition than any charter ever could.How did all this come together? And why did it matter so … Continue reading #95 The 1275 Friendship Treaty: Siegfried von Westerburg and Cologne’s New Gothic City Seal
1271: Three years after civil war tore Cologne apart, the aging Dominican friar Albertus Magnus was sent to end the deadlock between a captive archbishop and an ambitious count. But peace always comes at a cost — and in Cologne, that cost would change the balance of power for a century. Albertus Magnus In 1271 Albertus Magnus is now in his 70s. Can he make … Continue reading #94 The Expulsion of the Wise Men and the Aftermath of the Battle of Ulrepforte
On a dark October night in 1268, a secret tunnel, a betrayed alliance, and a struggle for power would decide the fate of medieval Cologne. What began as a feud between wealthy families turned into a bloody street battle beneath the city walls. Who dug the hole—and who paid the price? Join us as we uncover the forgotten story of the Battle of Ulrepforte. Matthias … Continue reading #93 The Battle at Ulrepforte
In this retrospective episode, we explore how medieval Cologne’s citizens gradually challenged the authority of their archbishops, built their own institutions, and laid the foundations for urban independence in the High Middle Ages. Timetable 10th century965: Death of Archbishop Bruno → connection of spiritual and secular power, foundation of archiepiscopal rule over the city. 11th century1074: Uprising against Archbishop Anno II → first sign of … Continue reading #92 Retrospective: High Medieval Cologne and the Rise of the Citizenry
New audio guide city tour through medieval Cologne! VoiceMap is the personal audio guide for travelers. Just put on your headphones and set off—the app automatically tells you exciting stories as soon as you pass certain locations. Instead of a traditional city tour, you get a mixture of podcast, GPS, and insider tips—right where you are. In short: Voicemap turns walks into story walks. A … Continue reading New Audioguide Tour through Medival Cologne!
Cologne, 1265 — a city under siege, its streets brimming with unrest and uneasy alliances. When political grudges spill over into the night, strange visions, whispered plots, and a deadly dance leave their mark on the medieval metropolis. In this episode, we follow an archbishop who can’t stop picking fights, a city that won’t bow, and the shadowy hands fanning the flames in between. Rheingasse … Continue reading #91 From a Dance in the Streets to Chaos at the City Walls in 1265
In 1263, Cologne stood at a crossroads — again. Just a year after forcing Archbishop Engelbert II von Falkenburg into a peace agreement, the city found itself betrayed. Oaths had been made, sealed, and sworn before God. But behind the scenes, the archbishop plotted revenge — aided by papal absolution and secret plans to arrest the city’s leaders. Continue reading #90 Broken Promises – Engelbert II von Falkenburg’s War on His Own City
This episode is a gripping historical legend set in the year 1262 in Cologne, during a time of political upheaval and civic rebellion. At the heart of the tale is Hermann Gryn, a prominent city leader, who finds himself in a perilous and unexpected confrontation that tests his courage, skill, and loyalty to the city. Player doesn’t show in your mail program? Click here Entrance … Continue reading #89 Hermann Gryn’s Fight against a Lion
The History of Cologne Podcast 
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