Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Soester Fehde

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. "St. Maria zur Höhe" in Soest is a pretty unique church. A kind of treasure-box, just about 200 m apart and shadowed by the better known "Wiesenkirche". Such a church needs constant renovation, so friends' association "Verein zur Erhaltung der Hohnekirche e. V." was founded in 1982 to support the efforts. The association has a nice website (in German) with valuable informations. www.foerderverein-hohnekirche.de/index.php

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. This giant triumph-cross is a very unique piece of art here. This "Scheibenkreuz" ("plate cross"), created ~1200, is the only one in "mainland" Europe and the oldest. Something similar can be found almost only on the island of Gotland in Sweden. However, these crosses are younger. Here nail marks exist, so originally Christ body was nailed to the cross. The plate cross, made of spruce and pine, has a height of 3.89 m and diameter of 2.72 m. Soest has had a very strong position within the Hanse League so there were for sure ties to Northern Europe, where this cross may have been created. A recent renovation prooved, that the wood originated in Northern Europe. A closer look.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. This giant triumph-cross is a very unique piece of art here. This "Scheibenkreuz" ("plate cross"), created ~1200, is the only one in "mainland" Europe and the oldest. Something similar can be found almost only on the island of Gotland in Sweden. However, these crosses are younger. Here nail marks exist, so originally Christ body was nailed to the cross. The plate cross, made of spruce and pine, has a height of 3.89 m and diameter of 2.72 m. Soest has had a very strong position within the Hanse League so there were for sure ties to Northern Europe, where this cross may have been created.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. The paintings were hidden for centuries under a coat of paint, before they were reopened and restored in 1869. The central apse, created ~1240. The style of the painting shows a strong Byzantine influence. Some scholars reckon that byzantine artists worked in Soest, as other churches here show similar frescoes. In the center Mary on a throne, holding young Jesus. They are flanked by 14 angels. The altarpiece is a phantasic painting by Johann von Soest (aka "Meister von Liesborn"), created 1470. Sorry for the bad shot!

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. The "Baptism of Jesus" (Matthew 3:13-17) is one of the scenes from the frescoes of the central apse, created ~1240. The details are here better to be seen. The style of the painting shows a strong Byzantine influence. Some scholars reckon that Byzantine artists worked in Soest, as other churches here show similar frescoes. The "Baptism of Jesus" reminds me of similar paintings I have seen in Ravenna.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. The apse of the northern aisle is not semicircular but somehow shifted to the left. It is named "Katharinenchor", as the frescoes on the side walls theme around the legend of St. Katherina ("Catherine of Alexandria"). The paintings were hidden for centuries under a coat of paint, before they were reopened and restored in 1869. On the ceiling: Jesus crowns his mother Mary the Queen of Heaven, flanked by Katharina and Maria Magdalena. All have halos from very prominent gold stucco.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. The elegant vaulted ceiling is populated with very strange, mythical creatures flanking (or dancing around) trees (of life?)

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. In the left aisle is a copy of the grave of Christ (a representation of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem) from around 1220. The fresco with the crucifixion scene is about 2 or 3 decades younger.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldes city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756 it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. The baptistery, where the Romanesque baptismal font (~1220) is placed, is older than the rest of the church, as it was part of the church that got demolished, when he Hohnekirche was built. This older church had a two-towers-westwerk (like Abdinghof, Corvey..), the baptistery of today was part of this westwerk.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldes city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756 it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. The Romanesque baptismal font was created before 1220.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldes city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756 it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, built with the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. The frescoes and wallpaintings of the church were done during three stages between 1220 and 1260. They show very strong Byzantine influence. Some scholars reckon that byzantine artists worked in Soest, as other churches here show similar frescoes.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldes city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" (Soest Feude") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756 it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romaneque churches, erected from the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an oldier church here. Here is one of the capitals of the right side. I do see a "Luxuria" breastfeeding two snakes. Some scholars (especially in Westphalia) describe such a lady as "Gaia", the personification of the Earth and one of the Greek primordial deities.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldes city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" (Soest Feude") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756 it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romaneque churches, erected from the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an oldier church here. Four capitals, two on each side, pflank the door of the portal. Here are the two capitals of the left side. These "entangled creatures" can often be found in Westphalia.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldest city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" (Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756, it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romanesque churches, erected from the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an older church here. Here is the tympanum, created 1220/1230. Framed by a quatrefoil is the crucifixion in the centre. The cross is flanked by sun and moon - and below Mary and John. To the left is the nativity scene. Mary, the crib, the ox, the ass and Joseph (note the Jewish hat). To the right, the "myrrhbearers", three ladies visiting the (empty) tomb, the soldiers in front are sleeping. The inscription on the lintel is about a renovation in 1671. This tympanum has parallels to the tympanum in Plettenberg (50kms south).

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldes city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" (Soest Feude") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756 it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romaneque churches, erected from the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an oldier church here. Here is the portal with the tympanum, created 1220/1230.

With a population of about 10.000 Soest was the most important town in Westphalia within the 11th and 12th century. The "Soester Stadtrecht" ("Soest city law") is the oldes city law, documented in German territory. Soest was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in medieval times. During the "Soester Fehde" ("Soest Feud") it liberated itself from the Bishop of Cologne, who controlled Westphalia. During and after the Thirty Years' War, Soest suffered a tremendous loss population and influence. At the lowest point in 1756 it had only 3,600 citizens. Soest has still a couple of wonderful medieval, Romaneque churches, erected from the regional greenish sandstone. The "Hohnekirche" (officially "St. Maria zur Höhe") is one of them. The church was built in its present form from 1180 and is one of the oldest hall churches in Westphalia. It replaced an oldier church here,