LEGENDS AROUND THE CASTLEThe battle of the barrelsWe are in Cochem castle. The year of its construction dates back to 1000 AD. The castle was a medieval structure of defence like other knights’ castles but maybe a little nobler as it housed the counts of the Palatinate along the Rhine who were related to the German Emperors, at the time when they were all called Emperor Otto. The history of the castle ranked itself seamlessly in the social fabric of its time with its intrigues and battles of power. Favourable marriages increased the powers of the powerful. But also murder and manslaughter were common, in order to assassinate disagreeable fellow men and rivals. [...more] “knipp monday“There is supposed to have been more than 40.000 Knights’ castles at one time in the German speaking part of Europe. They were the fortified bases of powerful people. They reported back on movements of troupes in their areas and were supposed to be able to fight small conflicts until the local lords summoned together enough troupes for a battle. Such a surprise attack on Cochem castle was uncovered by a castle servant, who was riding along on high ground up in the village of Faid on “white Sunday” (the 1st Sunday after Easter) on his way to visiting his sweetheart. He encountered armed strangers and heard about their planned attack on Cochem castle. [...more] |