History of Cologne - Prince-Archbishops and Electors of Cologne

Prince-Archbishops and Electors of Cologne

Cologne's first Christian bishop was Maternus. He was responsible for the construction of the first cathedral, a square building erected early in the 4th century. In 794, Hildebald (or Hildebold) was the first Bishop of Cologne to be elevated to Archbishop of Cologne. Bruno I (925-965), younger brother of Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, founded several monasteries here. Subsequent Archbishops of Cologne became very influential as advisers to the Saxon, Salian and Hohenstaufen dynasties. From 1031, they also held the office of Arch-Chancellor of Italy. Between 1159 and 1167, Rainald of Dassel was Archbishop of Cologne, as well as being Imperial Chancellor and adviser to Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

In 1074 the commune was formed. By the 13th century, the relationship between the city of Cologne and its archbishop had become difficult, and after the Battle of Worringen in 1288, the forces of Brabant and the citizenry of Cologne captured the Archbishop Siegfried of Westerburg (1274–97), resulting in an almost complete freedom for the city; to regain his liberty, the archbishop recognized the political independence of Cologne, but reserved certain rights, notably the administration of justice.

Cologne effectively became a free city after 1288; this status was formally confirmed in 1475. The Archbishopric of Cologne was a state of its own within the Holy Roman Empire, but Cologne was independent so the archbishops were usually not allowed to enter the city. Thus they took up residence in Bonn and later in Brühl until they returned in 1821. From 1583 to 1761, all ruling archbishops came from the Wittelsbach dynasty . As powerful electors, the archbishops repeatedly challenged the free status of Cologne during the 17th and 18th century, resulting in complicated legal affairs, which were handled by diplomatic means, usually to the advantage of the city.

In the period of the persecution of witches (1435 – 1655) 37 people were executed in Cologne, mostly during the reign of the Archbishop of Cologne Ferdinand of Bavaria.

The City Council of Cologne issued a resolution on June 28, 2012 to exonerate Katharina Henot and the other victims of the persecution of witches in Cologne.