The History of Cologne
The podcast about the history of the 2,000 years old city of Cologne in Germany
#85 Jewish Life and Legal Status in 13th-Century Cologne
Episode Archive
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#85 Jewish Life and Legal Status in 13th-Century Cologne
A medieval document, not written on parchment, but carved in stone, still stands in Cologne Cathedral today. It granted rights—but also exposed a dangerous reality for the city’s Jewish populati...
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#84 The Staple Right of 1259: Cologne’s Key to Centuries of Wealth
In 1259, Cologne stood at a crossroads of power and trade. Amid deep political unrest and shifting alliances, a crucial privilege—the Staple Right—was granted, setting the stage for the city’s r...
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#83 How a Family Feud in 1257 Sparked a Citywide Crisis in Medieval Cologne
In 1257, the city of Cologne becomes the stage for a dramatic clash between its powerful Erzbischof, Konrad von Hochstaden, and the influential Cologne Kleingedank family. What begins as a calcu...
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#82 Cities Rising: The Rhenish League and the Dawn of Urban Power in the Holy Roman Empire
Imagine a time when the empire was rudderless, the throne of the Holy Roman Empire empty, and the scramble for power rippled across every corner of the land. Princes, bishops, and nobles seized ...
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#81 How a Coin Tossed Cologne into Chaos in 1252
In 1252 the citizens of Cologne are fighting each other against their city lord, the Archbishop, again. This time even with warships and trebuchets firing at the city! The topic of the dispute? ...
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#80 Building Cologne Cathedral in the 13th century
Behind the construction of Cologne Cathedral lies a story of medieval ingenuity, hard labor, and decades ,later centuries, of dedication. Learn more about the methods, the workers, and the chall...
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#79 Albert the Great - The Universal Doctor and Genius of Medieval Cologne
In this episode, we take a look at the life and legacy of Albertus Magnus, the renowned medieval scholar who shaped Cologne's intellectual history. Learn how he blended faith with reason, contri...
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#78 Master Gerhard and the Devil's Bargain: The Legend Behind Cologne Cathedral
In this episode, we dive into the captivating legend of Master Gerhard, the first master builder of Cologne Cathedral in the 13th century. Discover how Gerhard’s ambition led him to a dangerous ...
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#77 Why the Old Cologne Cathedral was demolished in 1248
It was a dramatic end of Cologne’s Old Cathedral in 1248. Discover how a catastrophic fire brought down this medieval masterpiece of a building, clearing the way for the iconic Gothic structure ...
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#76 From Cathedral to Captivity: The Tumultuous Early Years of Konrad von Hochstaden
In this episode, we explore the dramatic capture and imprisonment of Archbishop Konrad von Hochstaden by the Count of Jülich in 1242. Discover how one of Cologne's most powerful medieval figures...