From Self-Assertion to Aggression? The Feud Policy of the Landgraves of Hesse in the Late Middle Ages

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

Scientific direction: Prof. Dr. Ingrid Baumgärtner (University of Kassel).
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Christine Reinle (Gießen).