The bishop's city on the Hase: the cathedral close, the market on the sand knoll west of it with St Mary's, walls enlarged in the 12th century to the bounds of the later Altstadt, and a separate Neustadt growing round St John's (founded 1011).
Frederick I's privilege of 1171 gave the burghers their own court, freeing them from outside courts, and so the beginnings of town rights; the first town hall followed. The bishops have lived at Iburg since about 1100.
Who holds it
- Name
- Bishop Gerhard of Oldenburg-Wildeshausen
- Title
- Town lord
- Confidence
- high
Lord in 1200
Bishop Gerhard; his officers not pinned. The count of Tecklenburg as advocate holds the diocese's high justice (1180-1236).
Overlord
The bishop of Osnabrück; the high courts of the diocese are held by its advocate, the count of Tecklenburg
How things stand that morning
The bishop's city; the bishop leans to Philip, while his advocate Tecklenburg is Otto's.
Charter
Privilege of Frederick I, 1171: the burghers' own court.
Council
Not pinned before the 14th century in the sources consulted.
Walls and castle
12th-century walls round the Altstadt; the Bucksturm is built early in the 13th century.
Trade and crafts
Crossing of the Hase on the old north-south road; trade to Bremen and Hamburg is attested only later.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The 1171 privilege is well known; 1200 institutions are not pinned.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.