köln archbishopric

  v2.0 Updated 16 February 2011

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION. 1

Chapter 1.            ARCHBISHOPS of KÖLN 784-1508. 2

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

A review of the families of the princes, dukes and counts who ruled Germany in medieval times would be incomplete without documents devoted to the major archbishoprics.  The bishopric of Köln was elevated to the status of archbishopric during the reign of Charles I King of the Franks in the late 8th century, and eventually enjoyed ecclesiastic jurisdiction over the bishoprics of Cambrai, Liège, Minden, Münster, Osnabrück, Paderborn and Utrecht.  Under the terms of the 843 Treaty of Verdun, which settled the disputes between the sons of Emperor Lous I "le Pieux", the territory of the archbishopric of Köln fell partly within the kingdom of Lotharingia and partly within the province of Franconia which formed part of the kingdom of the East Franks.  Along with the archbishops of Mainz and Trier, the archbishops of Köln played an important role in the election of successive kings of Germany.  In particular, the archbishop of Köln was responsible for issuing the 13 Jan 1257 electoral decree, at the time of the election of Richard Earl of Cornwall in 1257, which marked an important stage in formalising the electoral process[1], By the mid-12th century, the archbishops of Köln, Mainz and Trier had firmly established themselves as the spiritual representatives in the electoral process.  Electoral procedures, the unity of the seven electors including the three archbishops, and the right of election by the majority, were laid down definitively in the Golden Bull of 1356, which is described in some detail by Leuschner[2]. 

 

By the judicious acquisition of land, through purchase, donation and inheritance, the three archbishoprics of Köln, Mainz and Trier consolidated a powerful temporal, in addition to ecclesiastical, position of power.  The archbishopric of Köln held extensive territory mainly along the western bank of the river Rhine, stretching from the town of Duisberg in the north to north-west of Koblenz in the south, lying between the counties of Jülich to the west and Berg to the east.  In addition, it held numerous other isolated territories scattered throughout the lower Rhine basin on both banks of the river.  The archbishops of Köln were elected mainly from prominent noble families in the lower Rhine area, although as will be seen below in the present document the precise family connections of many of the archbishops cannot be traced with certainty.  The suspicion is that the reigning archbishops frequently groomed their successors from among the members of their own family, often related through the female rather than the male line.  If sufficient information on family relationships was available in primary source documentation, it is expected that it would reveal extensive informal "dynasties" of archbishops which included a limited number of noble families.  In the case of the archbishopric of Köln, such family connections with noble families in the area of the lower Rhine basin, especially the comital families of Altena, Berg, Heinsberg, Hochstaden, Jülich, and Mark, can be demonstrated clearly.  It is probable that a similar pattern would emerge in relation to the more important lower level ecclesiastical appointments within each archbishopric. 

 

The present document shows the archbishops of Köln between 784 and 1274.  The listing is not strictly chronological in the case of the incumbents which can be linked by family group.  It is hoped that later versions of the document will set out the bishops of the dioceses which fell under the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical province of Köln. 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1.    ARCHBISHOPS of KÖLN 784-1508

 

 

1.         HILDBOLD (-3 Sep 819).  Archbishop of Köln 784. 

 

2.         HADBOLD (-842).  Archbishop of Köln 819.  The Annales Colonienses Brevissimi record that "Hadebaldo" took "episcopatum Coloniæ" in 819[3].  

 

3.         HILDUIN (-27 Sep 849).  Archbishop of Köln 842.  The Annales Colonienses Brevissimi record that "Hilduinus" took "episcopatum Coloniæ" in 842[4]. 

 

4.         GÜNTHER (-30 Mar 864).  The Chronologia Johannes de Beke records that "dominus Radbodus" was elected Bishop of Utrecht after the death of Bishop Egilbold and specifies that "Radbodus rex Frisie predictus ipsius matris attavus" and that "Guntarius archiepiscopus Coloniensis eius avunculus"[5].  The Cæsarii Heisterbacensis Catalogus of archbishops of Köln records that the concubine of "Lotharius" was "Waldradam, sororem Guntheri archiepiscopi Coloniensis" and that her brother encouraged Lothaire to leave his legitimate wife for Waldrada, for which he was excommunicated by the Pope[6].  Archbishop of Köln: the Annales Colonienses Brevissimi record "Guntarius episcopus Coloniæ XII Kal Mai" in 850[7]. 

 

5.         WILBERT (-11 Sep 889).  Archbishop of Köln 864.  The Annales Colonienses Brevissimi record "XVII Kal Feb Willibertus episcopus" in 870[8]. 

 

6.         HERMANN [I], son of [EHRENFRIED Graf von Bliesgau, Comte de Charpeigne & his wife Adelgunde ---] (-11 Apr 925).  Archbishop of Köln 890.  Hermann is shown in Europäische Stammtafeln[9] as the son of Ehrenfried and his wife, but the primary source which confirms his parentage has not yet been identified.  Chancellor of Zwentibold King of Lotharingia. 

 

7.         WICFRIED (-9 Jul 953).  Archbishop of Köln 925.  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 953 of "Wicfridus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Bruno"[10]. 

 

8.         BRUNO [I], son of HEINRICH I King of Germany & his second wife Mathilde (May 925-Reims 11 Oct 965, bur Köln St Pantaleon).  Widukind names (in order) "Oddonem, Heinricum, Brunonem" as sons of King Heinrich & his second wife[11].  "Brun archiepiscopus Agrippinæ civitatis" is named "frater imperatoris", when recording his death in 965[12].  Chancellor of Germany 940-953.  "Otto…rex" granted property to the church of Cambrai at the request of "germani nostri Brunonis et Cuonradi ducis atque Herimanni ducis" by charter dated 30 Apr 948[13].  Abbot of Lorsch 948/50.  Archbishop of Köln: the Annales Colonienses record the death in 953 of "Wicfridus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Bruno"[14].  In 953, he was installed as BRUNO Duke of Lotharingia by his brother King Otto[15].  According to Thietmar of Merseburg, Archbishop Bruno plotted against his brother, offering the crown of Germany to his brother-in-law Hugues "le Grand", but repented of his scheme and was forgiven by King Otto[16].  In 959, Bruno divided Lotharingia into Upper and Lower Lotharingia, installing comte Frederic (husband of his niece Béatrix de France) as Duke of the former[17].  Thietmar records the death of Archbishop Bruno on 11 Oct "in the thirteenth year after his ordination"[18].  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 965 of "Bruno archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Poppo"[19]. 

 

9.         POPPO (-967).  Archbishop of Köln 965.  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 965 of "Bruno archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Poppo"[20].  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 967 of "Poppo archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Gero"[21]. 

 

10.      GERO (-28 Jun 976).  Archbishop of Köln 967.  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 967 of "Poppo archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Gero"[22].  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 975 of "Gero archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Warinus"[23]. 

 

11.      WARIN (-985).  Archbishop of Köln 976.  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 975 of "Gero archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Warinus"[24].  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 985 of "Warinus Coloniensis archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Evergerus"[25]. 

 

12.      EBERGAR (-11 Jun 999).  Archbishop of Köln 985.  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 985 of "Warinus Coloniensis archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Evergerus"[26].  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 999 of "Evergerus Coloniensis archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Herebertus archiepiscopus"[27]. 

 

13.      HERIBERT [von Rotenburg], son of HUGO & his wife Tietwidis --- (-16 Mar 1021).  The Vita Heriberti Archiepiscopi Coloniensis names "Heribertus…Wormacensium progenie" and "pater eius Hugo…mater…Tietwidis, alto Alemanniæ comitum", as well as "ipsa genitricem Immam generatam ab…Regimbaldo comite" who had with her sisters been captured "ab Hungris"[28].  Archbishop of Köln 999.  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 999 of "Evergerus Coloniensis archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Herebertus archiepiscopus"[29].  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 1021 of "Herebertus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Pilegrinus"[30]. 

 

14.      PILGRIM (-25 Aug 1036).  Archbishop of Köln 1021.  The Annales Colonienses record the death in 1021 of "Herebertus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Pilegrinus"[31].  The Annales Brunwilarenes record the death in 1036 of "Piligrinus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Hermannus"[32]. 

 

15.      HERMANN [II], son of Pfalzgraf EZZO & his wife Mathilde of Germany ([995/1010]-Köln 11 Feb 1056, bur Köln Cathedral).  The Brunwilarensis Monasterii Fundatio names the three sons (in order) "Hermannus, Otto, Ludolphus" of "Herenfridus comes palatinus, qui post Ezo nominatus est" and his wife "Mathilde filia Magni Ottonis"[33].  Herimannus names "Herimannus, Ottonis secundi imperatoris ex filia nepos" when recording his installation as Archbishop of Köln in 1036[34].  Imperial Chancellor for Italy 1034/37.  Vogt von Brauweiler.  Provost at Köln Cathedral 1033. Archbishop of Köln: the Annales Brunwilarenes record the death in 1036 of "Piligrinus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Hermannus"[35].  "Herimannus secundi Ottonis imperatoris filie…domne Mathilde beate memorie filius" donated property to Köln St Severin by charter dated 8 Sep 1043[36].  Abbot of St Ursula at Köln.  Archchancellor of the Roman Church 1049.  The Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1056 of "Herimannus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Anno"[37]. 

 

 

1.         ANNO von Steusslingen, son of WALTER von Steusslingen & his wife Engela --- ([1010]-Köln 4 Dec 1075, bur Siegburg Abbey).  The Vita Annonis names "Anno…ex Alamannorum populis" and "pater eius Walterus, mater Engela"[38].  Provost of St Simon and St Juda at Goslar 1054-1056.  Archbishop of Köln: the Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1056 of "Herimannus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Anno"[39].  The Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1075 of "Anno archiepiscopus"[40]. 

 

 

1.         HILDOLF (-20 Jul 1079).  The Annales Brunwilarenes record the death in 1075 of "Anno archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Hildulfus"[41].  The Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1078 of "Hildolfus episcopus sine pallio" and the succession of "Sigewinus"[42]. 

 

2.         SIGWIN (-31 May 1089).  The Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1078 of "Hildolfus episcopus sine pallio" and the succession of "Sigewinus"[43].  The Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1089 of "Sigwinus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Hermannus III"[44]. 

 

 

1.         GERHARD [I] von Hochstaden (-after 1096).  Graf von Hochstaden.  children: 

a)         GERHARD [II] (-after 1145).  Graf von Hochstaden.  children: 

i)          ADELHEID von Hochstaden .  The primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified.   m OTTO Graf von Ahr, son of --- (-before 1162).  children: 

(a)       DIETRICH (-[1194/22 Jan 1197]).  Graf von Hochstaden.  children: 

(1)       LOTHAR [I] von Ahr (-1215).  Graf von Hochstaden.  children: 

a.         KONRAD von Hochstaden, son of LOTHAR [I] Graf von Hostaden & his wife Mechtild von Vianden (-28 Sep 1261).  "Lutharius comes de Hostaden cum uxore mea Mechtilde et filiis meis Luthario et Conrado" donated the church at Frimmersdorf to the abbey of Knechtsteden by charter dated 1210[45].  Archbishop of Köln 1238.  The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines records the election of Konrad Archbishop of Köln in 1238[46].  Konrad Archbishop of Köln donated property to Brauweiler abbey, for the souls of "bone memorie domini Lotharii patris nostri, olim comitis Hostadensis, ac domine Methildis matris nostre", by charter dated 1241[47].  Konrad Archbishop of Köln names "consanguineus noster vir nobilis Theodericus de Limburg super Lenam…consanguineus noster Gozwinus decanus Coloniensis…consanguineus noster Philippus thesaurarius Coloniensis" in a charter dated 21 Feb 1247 (presumably O.S.)[48]. 

2.         HERMANN von Hochstaden, son of --- (-21 Nov 1099).  Archbishop of Köln: the Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1078 of "Sigwinus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Hermannus III"[49].  Hermann [III] Archbishop of Köln confirmed a donation to Kloster Deutz by charter dated to [1094], witnessed by "Gerhardo de Hostath fratre meo, Harper de Randerode, Hermanno de Dicco…Hermanno advocato Colonie simulque Othone et Amelrico fratribus eius…"[50].  The Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1098 of "Herimannus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Fridericus"[51]. 

 

 

1.         FRIEDRICH [I] von Sponheim, son of ENGELBERT [I] von Sponheim Graf im Kraichgau, im Pustertal und von Sponheim & his wife Hedwig --- (-25 Oct 1131).  The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Fredericus [primus] frater comitis Engelberti" when recording the election of his [great] nephew as Archbishop of Köln[52].  Archbishop of Köln: the Annales Brunwilarenses record the death in 1098 of "Herimannus archiepiscopus" and the succession of "Fridericus"[53]. 

 

 

Two brothers: 

1.         ADOLF [II] von Berg, son of ADOLF [I] Graf von Berg & his wife Adelheid von Laufen (-12 Oct after 1160).  Graf von Berg.  children: 

a)         EBERHARD von Berg (-23 Jan 1180, bur Altenberg).  Graf von Altena.  children: 

i)          ADOLF von Altena, son of EBERHARD von Berg Graf von Altena & his [first/second] wife [--- von Kleve/Adelheid von Arnsberg] (-17 Jun 1205).  Archbishop of Köln 1193.  The Cæsarii Heisterbacensis Catalogus of archbishops of Köln records the election of "adhuc Brunone vivente…filius fratris eius Adolphus" as archbishop of Köln[54].  Adolf [I] Archbishop of Köln donated property to Kloster Füssenich by charter dated 1197 witnessed by "…fratres nostri comites Arnoldus et Fridericus de Althena…"[55].  Adolf Archbishop of Köln  confirmed the rights of “frater noster germanus Arnoldus comes in Althena…uxoris sue…matrone Methildis et liberorum suorum”, with the consent of "Everhardo filio utriusque iam comite", by charter dated 1200[56]. 

b)         FRIEDRICH von Berg, son of ADOLF [II] Graf von Berg & his second wife [Irmgard von Sponheim/--- von Schwarzenberg] (-Pavia 15 Dec 1158, bur Kloster Altenberg).  The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Fredericus…secundus de sorore superioris Frederici" when recording his election as Archbishop of Köln[57].  Provost of St Georg, Köln 1135/36.  Elected Bishop of Utrecht 1150.  Archbishop of Köln 1156.  The Cæsarii Heisterbacensis Catalogus of archbishops of Köln records the election of "Fridericus prepositus sancti Georgii, filius fratris Brunonis" as archbishop of Köln[58].  He died after falling from his horse[59]. 

c)         ENGELBERT von Berg (-Brančevo, Serbia Jul 1189).  Graf von Berg.  children: 

i)          ENGELBERT [I] von Berg, son of ENGELBERT Graf von Berg & his wife Margareta van Limburg ([1185/86]-murdered near Gevelsberg 7 Nov 1225, bur Köln Cathedral).  The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines records the election of "domnus Engelbertus filius comitis Engelberti de Monte Veteri frater comitis Adolfi" as Archbishop of Köln in 1216[60].  Provost of St Georg, Köln 1198/1218.  Provost of Köln Cathedral 1203/06 and 1208/16.  Provost of St Severin, Köln 1210/16.  "Adolphus comes de Berge" donated revenue to Siegburg abbey, with the consent of "fratris nostri Engilberti maioris domus in Colonia prepositi", by charter dated 1211[61].  Provost of St Marien, Aachen, of St Marien at Deventer and of St Walburgis at Zütphen 1213/18.  Archbishop of Köln 1216.  The Cæsarii Heisterbacensis Catalogus of archbishops of Köln records the election of "Engelbertus ecclesie sancti Petri prepositus et filius Engelberti comitis de Monte, qui frater fuerat secundum carnem…archiepiscoporum Friderici et Brunonis secundi" as archbishop of Köln[62].  Regent of the Grafschaft Berg 1218.  Imperial Administrator and Guardian of Heinrich King of Germany 1220.  The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines records that "archiepiscopus Coloniensis Engelbertus" was killed "1225 VII Id Nov" by "cognato suo Frederico comite de Ysenberg"[63].  The Chronica Minor Auctore Minorita Erphordiensi records that "Engilbertus Coloniensis archiepiscopus" was killed in 1225 by "comite Friderico de Ysinburg"[64].  The Annales Spirenses record that "Engilbertus Coloniensis archiepiscopus" was killed "1225 VII Id Nov"[65]. 

d)         BRUNO [III] von Berg, son of ADOLF [II] Graf von Berg & his second wife [Irmgard von Sponheim/--- von Schwarzenberg]  (-23 Apr 1196, bur Altenberg).  Provost of St Georg, Köln 1156/91.  Provost of St Apostelen 1160/66.  Kustos of Köln Cathedral before 1179.  Provost of Köln Cathedral 1168/92.  Archbishop of Köln 1192, resigned 1193.  The Cæsarii Heisterbacensis Catalogus of archbishops of Köln records the election of "Bruno maior prepositus" as archbishop of Köln, adding that he was the brother of archbishop Friedrich, next to whom he was later buried[66].  Monk at Altenberg. 

2.         BRUNO von Berg, son of ADOLF [I] Graf von Berg & his wife Adelheid von Laufen (-Trani [29] May 1137, bur Bari San Niccolò).  Provost of St Kastor at Koblenz 1119.  Canon at Trier Cathedral.  Provost of St Gereon at Köln 1127.  Elected Bishop of Trier 1130.  Archbishop of Köln 1131.  The Cæsarii Heisterbacensis Catalogus of archbishops of Köln records the election of "Bruno…e Francia" as archbishop of Köln, recording in a later passage that a later archbishop was "Fridericus prepositus sancti Georgii, filius fratris Brunonis", adding that Bruno died a few days after Emperor Lothar at Bari and was buried there[67].  The Annales Brunwilarenes record the death in 1137 of "Bruno archiepiscopus in Apulia in expeditione regia constitutus" and the succession of "Hugo"[68]. 

 

 

1.         HUGO von Sponheim, son of STEPHAN Graf [von Sponheim] & his wife Sophie --- (-1 Jul 1137).  Archbishop of Köln: the Annales Brunwilarenes record the death in 1137 of "Bruno archiepiscopus in Apulia in expeditione regia constitutus" and the succession of "Hugo", followed "eodem tempore" by the death of Hugo and the succession of "Arnoldus"[69]. 

 

2.         ARNOLD [I] von Randerode, son of --- (-3 Apr 1151).  Archbishop of Köln 1137.  The Annales Brunwilarenes record the death in 1137 of "Bruno archiepiscopus in Apulia in expeditione regia constitutus" and the succession of "Hugo", followed "eodem tempore" by the death of Hugo and the succession of "Arnoldus"[70].    

 

3.         ARNOLD von Wied, son of MEFRID Graf von Wied & his wife --- (-14 May 1156).  Archbishop of Köln 1151.  Emperor Friedrich I granted protection to "venerabilis memorie Arnoldi Coloniensis archiepiscopi, sororem eius Hadewigam Asnidensis monasterii abbatissam et Burkardum fratrem eius de Wide" by charter dated 17 Sep 1156[71]. 

 

4.         REINOLD von Dassel, son of [REINOLD [I] von Dassel & his wife ---] (-Italy 14 Aug 1167).  Imperial Chancellor.  Archbishop of Köln 1159.  A continuator of Sigebert records the death in 1166 of "Rainaldi archiepiscopi Colonie" and the succession of "Philippus archidiaconus eius, filius Gozvini de Falconis monte"[72]. 

 

5.         PHILIPP [I] von Heinsberg, son of GOSWIN [III] Herr von Heinsberg und Valkenburg & his wife Adelheid von Sommerschenburg (-Naples 13 Aug 1191, bur Köln Cathedral).   A continuator of Sigebert records the death in 1166 of "Rainaldi archiepiscopi Colonie" and the succession of "Philippus archidiaconus eius, filius Gozvini de Falconis monte"[73].  The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines records the election in 1167 as Archbishop of Köln of "Philippus…filius Gossuin de Heynesberch"[74].  Archdeacon at Liège 1155/67.  Deacon at Köln Cathedral 1156.  Provost of St Lambert at Liège 1165/67.  Archbishop of Köln 1168.  Alexander Bishop of Liège confirmed the donation made by "domnus Gozwinus secundus Henesbergensis et uxor eius Aleidis" to the church at their castle, with the consent of "filiis eius Philippo…archiepiscopo, Gozwino, Godefrido", by charter dated 13 Mar 1165 (but redated to [1167/68])[75].  Imperial Chancellor for Italy 1168/1187.  Philipp Archbishop of Köln confirmed the foundation of a church "in castro suo Henesbergis" by "Oda matrona venerabilis memorie consensu filiorum suorum Gerardi et Goswini", and the donation by "predictus…Gozwinus post obitum matris" with the advice of "uxore sua Aleide…matrona consensu filiorum suorum Gozwini, Herimanni, Godefridi, Philippi", by charter dated 1170[76].  Philipp Archbishop of Köln settled the dispute between the abbey of Rolduc and "fratrem meum Gozwinum…et…filium eius Gozwinus" by charter dated 1175[77].  Philipp Archbishop of Köln confirmed the foundation of the church at Heinsberg by "pater carnalis Gozwinus…secundus de Heinsberg et…mater mea Adeleidis", with the consent of "fratribus meis Gozwino, Herimanno, Godofrido, sororibusque Uda, Methide, Salome", and various donations including the donation made by "Hezelo…et Gertrudis soror mea ex patre", by charter dated 1180[78]. 

 

6.         BRUNO [IV] von Sayn, son of EBERHARD [I] Graf zu Sayn & his wife --- von Isenburg (-12 Nov 1208).  Archbishop of Köln 1205. 

 

7.         DIETRICH [I] von Hengebach, son of --- (-12 May 1224).  Archbishop of Köln 1208-1212. 

 

8.         HEINRICH [I] von Müllenark, son of [HERMANN von Müllenark & his wife ---] (-26 Mar 1238).  Archbishop of Köln 1225.  

 

9.         ENGELBERT [II] von Lützelburg-Falkenberg, son of --- (-17 Nov 1274).  Archbishop of Köln 1261.