Battle of Worringen
Worringen, now part of Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
What happened
Duke John I of Brabant, Count Adolf of Berg and the citizens of Cologne fought Archbishop Siegfried II of Cologne and his allies, including Count Reginald of Guelders and Count Henry VI of Luxembourg. The citizens of Cologne, who wanted freedom from their archbishop, joined Brabant in besieging the archbishop's castle at Worringen. In the battle, Henry of Luxembourg fell, and in the afternoon the Berg troops and Cologne townspeople counter-attacked and captured the archbishop.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Cologne became free of the archbishop's rule in practice, and later a free imperial city. Weeks after the battle, the Count of Berg gave town rights to the small village of Düsseldorf.
What came next
Archbishop Siegfried was held prisoner for over a year and paid a ransom. Limburg was joined to the Duchy of Brabant in 1289.
Did you know?
Düsseldorf, which later became the capital of Berg, received its town rights on 14 August 1288 as a reward after this battle.
Timeline
- 5 June 1288Brabant and Cologne's citizens win at Worringen.
- 14 August 1288Düsseldorf receives town rights.
- 1289Limburg is added to the Duchy of Brabant.
- 1475Cologne becomes a free imperial city.