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History of Osnabruck


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Osnabr�ck developed as a marketplace next to the bishop's see founded by Charlemagne, king of the Franks, 780. Some time before 803, the city became seat of the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabr�ck. Although the precise date is uncertain, Osnabr�ck is likely the oldest bishopric in Lower Saxony.

In the year 804 Charlemagne was said to have founded the Gymnasium Carolinum in Osnabr�ck. This date would make it the oldest German Gymnasium but the charter date is disputed by historians, some of whom believe it could be a forgery.

In 889 the town was given merchant, customs, and coinage privileges by King Arnulf of Carinthia. It is first mentioned as a "city" in records in 1147. Shortly after in 1157, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa granted the city fortification privileges (Befestigungsrecht). Part of the medieval fortification, most of the towers are still visible in the city. Osnabr�ck became a member of the Hanseatic League in the 12th century, as well as a member of the Westphalian Federation of Cities.

The history of the town in the later Middle Ages was recorded in a chronicle by Albert Suho, one of the most important Osnabr�ck clerics of the 15th century.

The main period of witch hunting in Osnabr�ck was between 1561 and 1639, a time of social unrest and tensions because of the Protestant Reformation and the European wars of religion. In the year 1582 during the reign of mayor Hammacher (1565�1588), 163 women were killed as alleged witches, most of them burned. During the tenure of mayor Dr. Pelster between 1636�1639, more than 40 women were killed as witches. In total, 276 women and 2 men were executed after a witch trial for wizardry.

In 1632 a Jesuit university was founded, based on the Gymnasium Carolinum. One year later it was closed under the Swedish reign of the Prince-Bishop.

Between 1643-1648 negotiations in M�nster and Osnabr�ck led to the Peace of Westphalia.

In the early 18th century, Osnabr�ck native Justus
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