So, I have decided that I want to create a collection where I have an ancient/medieval coin from each city I visit in Europe. I have a coin from Metz (and that will get its own writeup), and I just bought one minted in Strasbourg, France. As is my custom here is a writeup of the history of Strasbourg with many pretty pictures (sadly, very few coins in the museums, though). Again, all pictures were taken by me. Like Trier, Strasbourg is a very old city with a metric crapton of history. Also like Trier, the traces of the earliest habitation in Strasbourg date from the Neolithic times. Permanent settlement of the area began with the proto-Celts around 1300 BC. Over the next 1000 years, the settlement would evolve into a township, which the Celts called “Argentorate.” The Romans would later turn the area into a military outpost named Argentoratum. The earliest mention of this name was during the reign of Emperor Augustus in 12 BC, so this date is considered the “beginning” of the city. These early military outposts were usually constructed of wood, so any belligerent barbarians or hapless accident could easily destroy the settlement. This is exactly what happened - six times! After 90 BC, Legio VIII Augusta (otherwise known as the “8th Legion) was permanently stationed at Argentoratum. Their stamp can be seen on pricks and roof tiles excavated in the area (I’m sure @Bing would love to get his hands on one of these ). A tile with the 8th Legion’s stamp. Like many of the Roman cities, the Romans left behind many artifacts from their burials. Strasbourg had an antiquities museum dedicated to all of the Roman and pre-Roman artifacts excavated in the area. A Roman coffin: Fancy ancient helmet: Strasbourg also has an early Christian history. The remains of a 4th/5th-century church have been found during excavations beneath the Église Saint-Étienne. Strasbourg became a bishopric in the 4th century, and would later become an archbishopric (well, much later, on the city’s bimillenial in 1988). The fifth century was a bit turbulent for Strasbourg. It was successively occupied by three different cultures: first the Alemanni (which were settled in territory in present-day Germany), then the Huns, and then finally the Franks. The Carolingian Empire was split in the year 842, and the Oath of Strasbourg written that year is considered the birth of the separate countries of France and Germany. In this document, the city is named Strazburg, and one of the three languages it was written in represents one of the earliest versions of modern-day French as a distinct language from Latin. By the 10th Century, Strasbourg was an important commercial center, producing goods ranging from glasswares to weapons. Medieval Strasbourg was particularly well-renowned for its cannon foundries, which would expand into the manufacture of many other kinds of weapons. The kinds of wares produced and their quality can be determined from shipwrecks excavated from the rivers and canals in the region, as well as looking at period homes and their furnishings. When examining the goods, it is fairly easy to see there was a significant stratification in the kinds and quality of the wares between the rich and poor. Variety of weapons produced in Strasbourg: Crossbows made in Strasbourg: The famous Strasbourg cannons: This prosperity of course came to the attention to the Not-Holy Not-Roman Not-Empire, so they naturally assumed control of the city in 923. Likewise with Trier, the citizens were unhappy with the bishops in control, so there were often conflicts between the two parties. Unfortunately, Strasbourg had no ancient legend to fall back on to justify independence, so the citizens had to use brute force. They were finally victorious in 1262 with the Battle of Oberhuasbergen, and thus Strasbourg became an Imperial Free City. Strasbourg seal (right) and later copy (left) from 1201: However, this was not enough independence. In 1332, there was another revolt which resulted in Strasbourg declaring itself a free republic. Two decades later, a town hall was built where all of the city’s important proceedings took place. (Sadly the building no longer exists) The government was run by a conglomerate of several guilds, the combination of which was recorded in a book, or sometimes on a medal, by picturing the crests of every guild in charge for the term (usually rotating annually). 1628 medal showing all of the guilds in power that year: On February 14, 1349, the history of Strasbourg was marred by the first and worst pogrom in pre-modern history. Over 1000 Jews were publicly burnt to death, the remainder being expelled from the city, and their rights were severely limited. They were not allowed to stay in town after 10 PM, and any horses used to get into town were taxed. Rules regarding what kinds of jobs the Jews were allowed to partake in were extremely strict, though they were somewhat relaxed for positions relating to money (which may be part of the origin of the common stereotype). These laws were held in place until the end of the 18th Century. (I thought I had some pictures of the displayed artifacts from the pogroms, but I was mistaken :/) Part II coming shortly.
Of course, Strasbourg’s most-famous landmark is its Cathedral Notre Dame (Cathedral of Our Lady). It was begun in the 12th Century and completed in 1439, where the main tower made it the tallest building in the world (the tower is actually open to climb up and down; prepare for a workout and spiral staircase PTSD, though). Several of the adornments were removed from the cathedral during the 1790’s French Revolution to make it more “humble.” They were replaced with replicas in the 19th Century. Apparently there was a practice in the 18th and early 19th centuries to engrave your name and the date into your cathedral as some areas of the Strasbourg (and even the one in Metz) were just covered in period engravings. Front view of the cathedral: Some of the carvings: The interior was gorgeous, especially the organ. Climbing up the tower: One of the more-amazing sights in the cathedral was an offering pit. Yes, you heard me correctly. There was a grated pit where people tossed in money of various amounts, and there were THOUSANDS of Euros present. Here is a picture of one of the several 1000€ notes I spied. A mint was established in Strasbourg in 1437. The coin I bought is one of the earlier coins from this mint, being minted from 1482 to sometime in the 16th century. Some interesting historical factoids during the Renaissance period: Johannes Gutenberg invented (or, reinvented if you take into account Chinese technology) the printing press in Strasbourg around 1440. 1496 printed book: In 1518, the city was afflicted by a rather strange plague called the “dancing plague.” The 400 or so people that were afflicted would be manic and dance constantly for days or weeks on end. They would eventually die of exhaustion or heart failure. Lutheranism was extremely important in Strasbourg, and the number influential adherents and early printing abilities in Strasbourg contributed greatly to the establishment of protestantism as a dominant denomination in the region. The Strasbourg cathedral was taken over by the Lutherans, but it was taken back by the Catholics in 1685. Also, John Calvin spent a bit of time in Strasbourg as a refugee. The first modern newspaper was printed in Strasbourg in 1605 Louis XIV annexed Strasbourg into France in 1681 by surrounding the city with his army and negotiating with the leaders of the city. The annexation was completely bloodless. The French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” was composed in Strasbourg in 1792 Strasbourg was one of the last cities to remain loyal to Napoleon. In 1814, they produced a Un Decime coin with an “N” on it to show their support (if I read the plaque at the museum correctly). BB is the Strasbourg mintmark. And that brings us to the modern era, which the ancients forum does not care as much about.
And something I forgot. You can tell which buildings came before and after the heavy French influence in the 18th century (namely with the introduction of the Romain (?) Palace in 1755).
You are correct. I would. I've been to Strasbourg albeit long time ago, but I learned much more from your post than I did from my visits. Thanks for the information.
