Essen     


- From the foundation to the beginning of the 20th century -



View of Essen around 1800




The first 600 years:

The beginning of Essens can be traced back to the year 852. This is the year in that bishop Altfrid von Hildesheim founds a ladies' diocese on the grounds of his estate Asnidhi (= Essen). This ladies cathedral chapter becomes the germ cell of Essen. On 8th July of 870 the cathedral of Essen (picture 20 KB), which was built by himself, is consecrated on bishop Altfrid's grounds. Mainly farmers settle round this cloister through the time. But already in the year 946 the cathedral of Essen is gutted in a big fire. A year later the construction starts once again. In the same year it is confirmed to the cathedral of Essen by pope Agapitus that it does not come under anyones elses jurisdiction than his own. At the end of the 10th century under the brilliant rule of abbess Mathilde, emperor Otto's granddaughter, the first merchants settle now apart from farmers at the walls of the cathedral chapter. The date June 13th 1041 means another big step for Essen to become a town because king Heinrich III. conferres Essen market rights. 1051 the oldest, today still standing part of the cathedral is built. In the year 1216 the abbess of Essen is conferred the title as a German princess by King Friederich II. After Essen was captured 1244 by Konrad von Hochstadten, archbishop of Cologne, Essen obtains its own city signet. The new constitution of the market town Essen is also introduced by archbishop of Cologne. With this constitution the severing from the sovereignty of the abbess of the diocese begins. The city receives further rights in 1349 from Kaiser Karl IV. because the abbess is conferred sovereignity over all mineral resources in the catchment area of the diocese. This privilege is used among other things in the year 1354. Silver is provably mined in Essen in that year (e.g. in the Silberkuhle). Involved with that the later so important hard coal is 1371 mentioned the first time provable in documents of Essen. On November 24th, 1377 the city obtains the title "Free City". Until the end of the 14th century the number of inhabitants of Essen increases to 3,000 - 4,000 inhabitants. It is reduced meantime 1350 by the "Black Death", though. One of the first technological achievements of the city of Essen is the first plumbing in 1434, that is supplied by the spring of the Limbecke. The first documentary mentioning of a coal mine is dated December 8th, 1450.


Nearly 600 years have passed since the foundation of Essen, and Essen has developed to a city with numerous rights and privileges. Does it go on like this? Who knows?

Now something funny: On September 14th, 1460 (day of the Kreuzerhöhung) it comes to a brawl between nuns in Essen-Stoppenberg - would you believe it?!

1548 there is a fire again in Essen. This time the district Steele is affected. All traces of the Middle Ages burn down in the flames.


The Reformation and the Thirty Years' War:

In the course of the Reformation Essen also participates in 1563. 1587 is the first time that the name Kruipe (= Krupp) is found in documents of Essen. That name would be of great importance for the later development of the city one day.
The Reformation was already mentioned. Consequently Essen is not spared by the Thirty Years' War (1618 - 1648). Foreign armies or mercenary forces march up in Essen again and again and demand billeting. That means: The soldiers have to be given a billet, on top of that they demand regularly food and equipment; the care of their horses must also be guaranteed and much more. This must naturally be done and payed by the bothered population, that, on top of everything, mostly has to submit the worst pillages. On September 9th, 1650 the last imperial armies withdraw from Essen. After that a big celebration of peace is celebrated in the city.

1708 the family Krupp appears the first time worth mentioning. Arnold Krupp becomes second mayor of Essen.

The Seven-Years' War (1756 - 1763) is a fight for survival for the population of Essen. Accordingly the peace is again celebrated extensively.


The industrialisation:

At the end of the 18th century the foundation of the first modern mines begins. The consequence is the clearing of the forests, because the wood is needed for the shoring of the gallery shafts.
However, conservation also already existed at that time: 1776 the last abbess of Essen (1803 the diocese of Essen is disbanded), Maria Kunigunde, princess of Poland and Lithuania, receives an ordinance for the conservation of the cleared forests.

1806 Essen is again occupied. This time by the French. However, this event does not influence the economical development of Essen. On November 20th, 1811 Friedrich Krupp founds a cast steel factory in Essen. The influence of the Krupps also shows, when Friedrich Krupp becomes member of the council of Essen on December 17th, 1812.

1815 Prussia is granted the custody of Essen on the Congress of Vienna.

In the year 1818 Essen still has a population of only 4,496 inhabitants. After 1820 the number of mines in Essen increases rapidly. The population practically explodes (until 1900 up to 119,000 inhabitants). Many people move from Poland, Silesia, East - and West Prussia to Essen with the hope to find a job here. 1859 Krupp receives a Prussian orders for cannons, with which Essen turns into a "Armourer of the Reich". The company Krupp expands continually. Meanwhile Friedrich A. Krupp even fosters relations to the German Kaiser. However, also other companies settle in Essen. Essen becomes until the turn of the century a city. (map 41 KB)