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The Siege of Godesberg, 18 November – 17 December 1583, was the first major siege of the Cologne War (1583–89). A formidable 13th-century fortress, the Godesburg (pictured c. 1500), sat on top of the Godesberg mountain, towering over the Rhine valley. It commanded the roads leading to Bonn, the Elector of Cologne's capital city, and Cologne, the region's economic powerhouse. By the mid-16th century, the Godesburg was considered nearly impregnable and had become a symbol of the dual power of the Prince-electors and Archbishops of Cologne. Bavarian and mercenary soldiers surrounded the mountain and the village then of the same name, now Bad Godesberg, at its foot. The Godesburg resisted a lengthy cannonade by the attacking army; finally, sappers tunneled into the mountain and blew up a significant part of the fortifications. This killed many of the defenders, but the remainder offered staunch resistance and the Bavarians had to enter the castle's inner courtyard through the latrine system to succeed. The Godesburg's commander negotiated safe passage for himself, his wife and his lieutenant. The others who were left in the keep—men, women and children—were killed. (Full article...)
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