City History: Antiquity and Middle Ages
Antiquity (750 BC to 500)
(Sources of information: Wikipedia , City of Münster website: City history [ 793 to 1800 ]) (sources in German)
750 to 400 BC Chr.
The earliest traces of settlement in the Münsterland can be proven for this period.
until 400 AD
Germanic tribes presumably settled on the Horsteberg on the Aa, the later site of the cathedral.
6th/7th Century (501 to 700)
In the area of the later cathedral square lies the small Saxon settlement "Mimigernaford". The name presumably comes from the Mimigerns, who are said to have been clansmen of a progenitor named Mimigern. The name is used for the settlement until the 10th century.
Middle Ages (500 to 1500)
793
The Frisian cleric Liudger is commissioned by Charlemagne to carry out missionary work in the Münsterland. Liudger founds a monastery (Latin "monasterium") near Mimigernaford.
805
A bishopric is established in Mimigernaford and Liudger becomes its first bishop. The settlement also receives the status of a city and the construction of the cathedral begins.
around 850
The first cathedral is completed.
around 900
A rampart complex is built around the cathedral. Within this cathedral castle officials and craftsmen are settled. Outside the gates of the castle, the first market settlements are formed, such as the "Roggenmarkt" (Rye Market) and the "Alte Fischmarkt" (Old Fish Market).
around 1050
The new parish church of St. Lamberti is founded, the church building is donated by the city merchants.
1068
"Monasterium" becomes the new name of the city.
1090
The new cathedral is consecrated.
1121
The citizens expel the bishop from Monasterium. The reason was the "Investiture Controversy" between the emperor and the pope over the right to appoint bishops. As a reaction, the city is besieged and a fire disaster occurs. Monasterium burns down completely.
1160s
The elements of the constituted citizenry are formed: citizens' assembly, college of lay assessors and council.
1170
Monasterium is completely rebuilt. In the course of the reconstruction, the previously existing markets, such as the Prinzipalmarkt, were expanded. In addition, the city, colloquially known as "Munstre", receives the city charter.
1174
Monasterium receives its first prince-bishop sovereign.
1197
There is another fire in the city and Monasterium burns down completely again.
1206
The city is rebuilt and the name "Münster" is officially used in documents for the first time.
1229
German merchants sign a contract with the Prince of Smolensk to secure their trade. Among the merchants are two from Münster. This event is the beginning of the Hanseatic League in Westphalia.
1253
Münster joins Dortmund, Soest and Lippstadt in the "Werner Bund", an association of cities for mutual protection. This protection is also to apply to the respective sovereign. The covenant is later renewed again and again.
from 1300
Münster is an influential Hanseatic city.
around 1350
The town hall is built in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral. This is to demonstrate the political and legal independence of the city from the bishop.
1450 to 1457
The so-called "Diocesan Feud" breaks out in Münster. The core of the dispute is the appointment of a new bishop after the death of the previous one. Münster is excluded from the Catholic Church and church services are banned in the city. In 1454 the city is also excluded from the Hanseatic League. In October 1457 the feud ends and the city recognizes the new bishop appointed by the Pope.
1458 to 1494
Münster regains its Hanseatic rights.
1494
Münster receives the status of a "suburb" of the Hanseatic League in Westphalia and leads the Westphalian Hanseatic Quarter.