In 1187, the Pope proclaimed another Crusade after Moslems under Saladin had recaptured
Jerusalem from the Christians who had held it for eighty-eight years. Barbarossa immediately raised
a 150,000 army of Crusaders and left for Palestine, passing through Asia Minor where they attacked
the Moslem forces in two great battles and defeated them. The aging Barbarossa was said to have
drowned in a freak accident in Asia Minor, and his body was recovered and buried at Antioch. Some
accounts, however, say that he died on the way back from Turkey from a fever. The grief struck
German Crusaders, his son among them, in large part returned to Germany, where the news of
Barbarossa's death caused anguished grief across Germany.
Jerusalem from the Christians who had held it for eighty-eight years. Barbarossa immediately raised
a 150,000 army of Crusaders and left for Palestine, passing through Asia Minor where they attacked
the Moslem forces in two great battles and defeated them. The aging Barbarossa was said to have
drowned in a freak accident in Asia Minor, and his body was recovered and buried at Antioch. Some
accounts, however, say that he died on the way back from Turkey from a fever. The grief struck
German Crusaders, his son among them, in large part returned to Germany, where the news of
Barbarossa's death caused anguished grief across Germany.
| Kaiserslautern: A Favorite Haunt of the King |
Ten years of brutal Spanish occupation which had devastated the medieval city ended when the
Protestant Swedish army liberated the area, but in 1635, ruthless Croatian troops of the Austrian
empire entered Kaiserslautern and plundered the city before murdering 3,000 of the 3,200 residents.
Even after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, the Elector of the Pfalz had a difficult time with many
of his subjects and ordered all castles, including Nanstein, destroyed. The French repeatedly invaded
and occupied the area, residing in Kaiserslautern from 1686-1697. The entire Pfalz/Palatinate area
was the scene of bitter fighting between French and German troops throughout the 18th century. In
1713, the French destroyed Barabrossa's castle and the city's wall towers.
Protestant Swedish army liberated the area, but in 1635, ruthless Croatian troops of the Austrian
empire entered Kaiserslautern and plundered the city before murdering 3,000 of the 3,200 residents.
Even after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, the Elector of the Pfalz had a difficult time with many
of his subjects and ordered all castles, including Nanstein, destroyed. The French repeatedly invaded
and occupied the area, residing in Kaiserslautern from 1686-1697. The entire Pfalz/Palatinate area
was the scene of bitter fighting between French and German troops throughout the 18th century. In
1713, the French destroyed Barabrossa's castle and the city's wall towers.
From 1793 until Napolean's defeat at Waterloo in 1815, the area was under a costly French
administration. Under Napoleon, the city became the seat of a sous-prefecture, and at the end of
Napoleon's reign, the city and the Palatinate became part of Bavaria. As France declined in power
after 1815, the Fruchthalle, where the revolutionary government of the Palatinate gathered, was built
in the middle of the 19th century. Kaiserslautern and the Palatinate became a Bavarian province until
1918. After World War I, French troops occupied the Palatinate.
administration. Under Napoleon, the city became the seat of a sous-prefecture, and at the end of
Napoleon's reign, the city and the Palatinate became part of Bavaria. As France declined in power
after 1815, the Fruchthalle, where the revolutionary government of the Palatinate gathered, was built
in the middle of the 19th century. Kaiserslautern and the Palatinate became a Bavarian province until
1918. After World War I, French troops occupied the Palatinate.
World War II nearly destroyed Kaiserslautern, with more than 60% of the city bombed
and destroyed by Allied aircraft. By January 5, 1944, the population had run to shelters
243 times.
and destroyed by Allied aircraft. By January 5, 1944, the population had run to shelters
243 times.
The symbol of the city of Kaiserslautern is a red and white shield-shaped
coat of arms, with an open-mouthed carp on it. This was reportedly the
favorite dish of Barbarossa. The royal court of Lutra is first mentioned in a
document of around 830 AD., and in one in 985, in which Emperor Otto
III granted it market rights.
coat of arms, with an open-mouthed carp on it. This was reportedly the
favorite dish of Barbarossa. The royal court of Lutra is first mentioned in a
document of around 830 AD., and in one in 985, in which Emperor Otto
III granted it market rights.
The negotiations between the king and the pope had revealed a radical difference between the
policies of the Church and the State. The king, although a deeply religious man, was convinced that
while the secular and ecclesiastical power should cooperate with each other, the pope should respect
him as the imperial lord. This led to constant conflict between the German emperor and Rome.
Lombardy, a province in Northern Italy, was at that time part of the German Empire, and in 1158,
its main city of Milan revolted, bringing down upon themselves an army of 100,000 German soldiers
led by Barbarossa.
policies of the Church and the State. The king, although a deeply religious man, was convinced that
while the secular and ecclesiastical power should cooperate with each other, the pope should respect
him as the imperial lord. This led to constant conflict between the German emperor and Rome.
Lombardy, a province in Northern Italy, was at that time part of the German Empire, and in 1158,
its main city of Milan revolted, bringing down upon themselves an army of 100,000 German soldiers
led by Barbarossa.
After several devastating attacks, the one which took place in the middle of the night on
September 28, 1944 swallowed the ancient parts of the city. The working class houses
were hit with numerous incendiary bombs, as had been the intent of RAF policy, causing
chaos and death. After only one hour, the city was a only one moaning, smoking sea of
flame and on the next day, the complete destruction of Kaiserslautern was announced.
Over 1,000 fires had consumed 190 roads, 2143 houses and a few hundred civilians. 28
more brutal attacks on the prostrate city took place, until March 17, 1945. On March
18, "Hornets" circled the defenseless town continuously dropping bombs and machine
gunning any moving object below. The city became home to an American airbase.
September 28, 1944 swallowed the ancient parts of the city. The working class houses
were hit with numerous incendiary bombs, as had been the intent of RAF policy, causing
chaos and death. After only one hour, the city was a only one moaning, smoking sea of
flame and on the next day, the complete destruction of Kaiserslautern was announced.
Over 1,000 fires had consumed 190 roads, 2143 houses and a few hundred civilians. 28
more brutal attacks on the prostrate city took place, until March 17, 1945. On March
18, "Hornets" circled the defenseless town continuously dropping bombs and machine
gunning any moving object below. The city became home to an American airbase.
After a long siege, the city surrendered, only to rebel again, and be defeated again. However,
eventually this resulted in Milan and the other Lombard cities, Verona, Vicenza, and Padua, forming
the Lombard League. They were soon joined by Venice, Constantinople, and Sicily. Barbarossa
requested assistance from various German dukes for soldiers to defeat them. All but Heinrich the
Lion, Duke of Saxony and Barbarossa's cousin responded favorably. The Lombards completely
defeated Barbarossa's army, and he was forced to grant Lombardy freedom to her cities. The other
dukes charged Heinrich the Lion with treason and then summoned him to a meeting of the nobles to
which he refused to appear, and in his absence the dukes declared him guilty and took away all he
possessed except the lands he had inherited from his father.
eventually this resulted in Milan and the other Lombard cities, Verona, Vicenza, and Padua, forming
the Lombard League. They were soon joined by Venice, Constantinople, and Sicily. Barbarossa
requested assistance from various German dukes for soldiers to defeat them. All but Heinrich the
Lion, Duke of Saxony and Barbarossa's cousin responded favorably. The Lombards completely
defeated Barbarossa's army, and he was forced to grant Lombardy freedom to her cities. The other
dukes charged Heinrich the Lion with treason and then summoned him to a meeting of the nobles to
which he refused to appear, and in his absence the dukes declared him guilty and took away all he
possessed except the lands he had inherited from his father.
These internal troubles prevented the Emperor from coping successfully with the famous League.
On top of this, a deadly fever had decimated his army. Conditions had also changed in Italy; and the
Pope, from being an opponent of the Normans, had become their ally. The friendly relations
between the Pope and Barbarossa had suffered a shock with an assertion of the superiority of the
popes over the emperors. Barbarossa's repeated attempts to overthrow the League and the Pope
failed, and this left him willing to enter on negotiations for peace. The most important result of the
ensuing treaty of Venice, 1177, was the failure of the Emperor to establish his supremacy over the
Pope; and in acknowledging the complete equality of the Pope, whom he now had to recognize,
Barbarossa confessed the defeat of the imperial pretensions.
On top of this, a deadly fever had decimated his army. Conditions had also changed in Italy; and the
Pope, from being an opponent of the Normans, had become their ally. The friendly relations
between the Pope and Barbarossa had suffered a shock with an assertion of the superiority of the
popes over the emperors. Barbarossa's repeated attempts to overthrow the League and the Pope
failed, and this left him willing to enter on negotiations for peace. The most important result of the
ensuing treaty of Venice, 1177, was the failure of the Emperor to establish his supremacy over the
Pope; and in acknowledging the complete equality of the Pope, whom he now had to recognize,
Barbarossa confessed the defeat of the imperial pretensions.
The Treaty of Constance in June, 1183 between the Emperor and the Lombards deprived the pope
of his important ally, the combined cities of Northern Italy. Shortly afterwards, Barbarossa's son
Heinrich married Constance, the Norman princess of Sicily. The papacy was now threatened both
from the north and the south. The coronation of Barbarossa's son Heinrich as King of Italy in
January, 1186 led to an open rupture. By skillful management and with the aid of most German
bishops, Barbarossa evaded threatening peril.
of his important ally, the combined cities of Northern Italy. Shortly afterwards, Barbarossa's son
Heinrich married Constance, the Norman princess of Sicily. The papacy was now threatened both
from the north and the south. The coronation of Barbarossa's son Heinrich as King of Italy in
January, 1186 led to an open rupture. By skillful management and with the aid of most German
bishops, Barbarossa evaded threatening peril.
Barbarossa now devoted himself to uniting Germany and keeping peace among the nobles in the
different provinces. He used various unusual means to accomplish his goal, and in one instance, he
forced two constantly quarreling nobles to walk the breadth of the land with dogs upon their
shoulders. His methods worked, and his reign was at peace for many years, enabling it to prosper.
Barbarossa gained the love and respect of his people. On his eastern frontier, he succeeded more and
more in Germanizing and Christianizing the local tribes. He also maintained amicable relations with
Denmark, Poland, and Hungary.
different provinces. He used various unusual means to accomplish his goal, and in one instance, he
forced two constantly quarreling nobles to walk the breadth of the land with dogs upon their
shoulders. His methods worked, and his reign was at peace for many years, enabling it to prosper.
Barbarossa gained the love and respect of his people. On his eastern frontier, he succeeded more and
more in Germanizing and Christianizing the local tribes. He also maintained amicable relations with
Denmark, Poland, and Hungary.
Kaiserslautern's name goes back to Barbarossa, who was so impressed by the area's forested beauty
800 years ago, that he had a palace built for himself in his favorite hunting spot at "Lautern" in 1152.
But, there is archaeological evidence that the mountaintop on which Hohenecken Castle was built
was fortified even in Roman times, and even an even older history emerged when 2,500 year old
Celtic tombs were found in Miesau, a small town about 18 miles west of Kaiserslautern.
800 years ago, that he had a palace built for himself in his favorite hunting spot at "Lautern" in 1152.
But, there is archaeological evidence that the mountaintop on which Hohenecken Castle was built
was fortified even in Roman times, and even an even older history emerged when 2,500 year old
Celtic tombs were found in Miesau, a small town about 18 miles west of Kaiserslautern.
The oldest church in Kaiserslautern, the Stiftkirche, was constructed from 1250-1350. Lautern was
granted a city charter by King Rudolf von Habsburg in 1276, and a great hall church was then
erected. St. Martin's Kirche was built from 1300-1350 for an order of Monks. Kaiserslautern then
fell under the authority of various ecclesiastical and secular rulers. In 1519, Franz von Sickingen
became the owner of Nanstein Castle, and became a Protestant. By 1522, Nanstein was a stronghold
for local nobles calling for the Reformation which Martin Luther had begun in 1519. Sickingen and
the others attacked the Archbishop of Trier, but it was unsuccessful, and they retreated to Nanstein.
Nanstein was then besieged in turn by Catholic princes with a new weapon, the cannon. Sickingen
died after the castle surrendered, and the Protestant nobility of the Pfalz were subdued by the
Catholic princes. In 1569, Count Palatine Johann Casimir, "Jäger aus Kurpfalz," built a Renaissance
palace next to the foundations of Barbarossa's ruined castle. Johann Casimir came to Kaiserslautern
during the Thirty Year War.
granted a city charter by King Rudolf von Habsburg in 1276, and a great hall church was then
erected. St. Martin's Kirche was built from 1300-1350 for an order of Monks. Kaiserslautern then
fell under the authority of various ecclesiastical and secular rulers. In 1519, Franz von Sickingen
became the owner of Nanstein Castle, and became a Protestant. By 1522, Nanstein was a stronghold
for local nobles calling for the Reformation which Martin Luther had begun in 1519. Sickingen and
the others attacked the Archbishop of Trier, but it was unsuccessful, and they retreated to Nanstein.
Nanstein was then besieged in turn by Catholic princes with a new weapon, the cannon. Sickingen
died after the castle surrendered, and the Protestant nobility of the Pfalz were subdued by the
Catholic princes. In 1569, Count Palatine Johann Casimir, "Jäger aus Kurpfalz," built a Renaissance
palace next to the foundations of Barbarossa's ruined castle. Johann Casimir came to Kaiserslautern
during the Thirty Year War.
| BARBAROSSA: German King and Roman Emperor |
On March 4,1152, Friedrich 1 was crowned German king. He was a tall, strong
man of majestic appearance with a thick red beard. People would call him Rotbart
or Barbarossa. There was great joy because it was hoped that he would end the
internal strife of the kingdom since he had the blood of rival dynasties as the son of
the Friedrich II, the Hohenstaufen Duke of Swabia, and Judith, daughter of
Heinrich IX, the Welfen Duke of Bavaria. Their hopes were not misplaced.
man of majestic appearance with a thick red beard. People would call him Rotbart
or Barbarossa. There was great joy because it was hoped that he would end the
internal strife of the kingdom since he had the blood of rival dynasties as the son of
the Friedrich II, the Hohenstaufen Duke of Swabia, and Judith, daughter of
Heinrich IX, the Welfen Duke of Bavaria. Their hopes were not misplaced.
| With Charlemagne as his ideal of a German emperor, Friedrich was determined to expand his supremacy to its utmost limits. In this context, Barbarossa sought to make the power of the crown as independent as possible by vigorously furthering the interests of his ancestral house. To accomplish this, he hired managers and ministeriales, who were also warriors. |
