Heretical Tribunal Functions of the Archbishopric of Cologne

Timeline

1. 1230–1250Cologne · Archbishopric of CologneIn 1231 Gregory IX expanded Conrad of Marburg's commission, making him one of the earliest papal inquisitors in Germany; his activity was mainly in Thuringia, Hesse, and the Upper Rhine, not a permanent court in Cologne. The Archbishopric of Cologne at this time still handled heresy cases through episcopal jurisdiction.
2. 1300–1500Cologne · Archbishopric of CologneIn the 14th century episcopal courts in Cologne and elsewhere tried cases against the Beghards and others; a permanent papal inquisitorial office was held by Dominicans from around the late 14th century (e.g., in 1364 Ludwig de Kalicha was responsible for the ecclesiastical provinces of Cologne and Trier). Anabaptist trials mainly occurred in the 16th century and should not be placed in the 14th–15th-century nodes.
3. 1517–1580Cologne · Archbishopric of CologneThe spread of Protestantism and the political division of the Empire weakened unified ecclesiastical jurisdiction; Cologne, as a Catholic stronghold, maintained inquisitorial activity against heresy and witchcraft, but its jurisdiction and enforcement power were constrained by the configuration of the princes.
4. 1600Cologne · North Rhine-WestphaliaSecularization and Napoleonic-era reforms ended inquisitorial jurisdiction; the Cologne archives are an important source for studying late medieval heresy trials and the practice of canon law.