Cologne War
Quick Summary
The Cologne War, occurring from 1583 to 1588, was a conflict within the Holy Roman Empire stemming from religious and political tensions. It began when Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg, the Catholic Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, converted to Calvinism and attempted to retain his secular authority over the electorate. This move challenged the religious settlement established by the Peace of Augsburg, which stipulated that the ruler's religion determined the region's religion.
The Catholic faction, supported by Spain and Bavaria, opposed Gebhard's conversion, fearing it would shift the balance of power in the College of Electors in favor of Protestants. They elected a rival archbishop, Ernest of Bavaria. The war involved various German principalities and foreign powers, highlighting the deep divisions and instability within the Holy Roman Empire during the confessional age. The conflict ultimately resulted in Gebhard's expulsion and the reassertion of Catholic control over the Electorate of Cologne.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
history of EuropeThe crisis in Germany…1583–88 when the archbishop of Cologne declared himself a Protestant but refused to resign: in the end a coalition of Catholic princes, led by the duke of Bavaria, forced him out.
Read More…1583–88 when the archbishop of Cologne declared himself a Protestant but refused to resign: in the end a coalition of Catholic princes, led by the duke of Bavaria, forced him out.
Read More
GermanyReligion and politics, 1555–1618In the “Cologne War” of 1583 he was expelled by Spanish troops, and Duke Ernst of Bavaria was chosen as his successor. Throughout the 1590s the incorporation of church properties by Protestant governments was a cause of litigation before the empire’s courts, as Roman Catholic authorities sought…
Read MoreIn the “Cologne War” of 1583 he was expelled by Spanish troops, and Duke Ernst of Bavaria was chosen as his successor. Throughout the 1590s the incorporation of church properties by Protestant governments was a cause of litigation before the empire’s courts, as Roman Catholic authorities sought…
Read More