The town on the Havel island below the cathedral hill was founded in the mid-12th century, after Albert the Bear secured the place in 1136-37 and the Wendish crusade of 1147 opened the Prignitz; it is first called a town (urbs) in 1160.
The cathedral of the restored bishopric (chapter founded about 1150) was consecrated in 1170; the cathedral district was divided between the bishop and the margraves until 1305. The date of its town rights is not recorded.
Who holds it
- Name
- Margrave Otto II
- Title
- Lord
- Since
- by 1160
- Confidence
- medium
Havelberg, de.wikipedia
Lord in 1200
The margrave (town lordship attested 1160); the bishop has no rights in the town.
How things stand that morning
Margrave's town; the bishop of Havelberg (a Church map record) holds the cathedral hill with the margrave.
Charter
Town (urbs) by 1160; grant of town rights not recorded.
Council
None yet.
Communities
Townsmen; the Premonstratensian cathedral chapter on the hill.
Walls and castle
Island site; the castle on the ridge.
Trade and crafts
Elbe and Havel trade at the river mouth.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: 1160 and 1170 attested.
Primary sources for Brandenburg (Otto II)
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Annals of Pegau; Annals of Magdeburg (12th and 13th centuries; Pegau continued to 1227). The annals of the Wettin lands and of Magdeburg. Read online
- Chronicle of the Lauterberg (Petersberg near Halle), Konrad of Lauterberg (about 1225). The house chronicle of the Wettin foundation on the Lauterberg, sharp-tongued and well informed on Saxony, Meissen and Magdeburg. Read online
- Deeds of the archbishops of Magdeburg (main text to 1142, continued in the 13th and 14th centuries). The Magdeburg house history, with a continuation covering Archbishop Ludolf of Kroppenstedt (1192 to 1205), a firm supporter of Philip who hosted the king's Christmas court at Magdeburg on 25 December 1199. Read online
- Pomeranian charter book, volume 1, 786 to 1253 (documents of 786 to 1253, edited 1868). All known charters for Pomerania and Rügen to 1253. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.