From self-assertion to aggression? The feuding policy of the Landgraves of Hesse in the late Middle Ages

The Hessian landgraviate only appeared on the political stage from the middle of the 13th century. At the time of Hermann II "the Learned", it was embroiled in a multitude of feuds which, at least according to older research, brought it to the brink of existential danger. In the second half of the 15th century, a completely different picture emerges: the landgraviate is not only an established territorial power, but its policies also exhibit expansive traits. This lecture will trace and analyze this development.

Academic director: Prof. Dr. Ingrid Baumgärtner (University of Kassel).
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Christine Reinle (Giessen).