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( Osnabrück)
Coordinates 52°16'44?N 8°2'35?E? / ?52.27889, 8.04306 Osnabrück 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 Osnabrück. Also uncertain, but it makes Osnabrück the oldest bishopric in Lower Saxony. In the year 804 Charlemagne possibly founded the Gymnasium Carolinum (a school), which would make it the oldest German Gymnasium. But the charter with the date is disputed and could be a forgery. In 889 it was given merchant, customs, and coinage privileges by King Arnulf of Carinthia. It is first mentioned as a "city" in records in 1147. Shortly afterwards, in 1157, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa granted the city fortification privileges (Befestigungsrecht). Most of the towers that were part of the medieval fortification are still visible in the city. Osnabrück became a member of the Hanseatic League in the 12th century, as well as a member of the Westphalian Federation of Cities. The main period of witch hunting in Osnabrück was between 1561 and 1639. In the year 1582 during the reign of major Hammacher (1565-1588) 163 women were killed as alleged witches, most of them burned. During the tenure of major 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.
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