Backnang Abbey
Encyclopedia
Backnang Abbey dedicated to Saint Pancras, was a house of Augustinian canons regular
in Backnang
, Baden-Württemberg
, Germany
.
It was founded before 1116 by Hermann I, Markgraf of Verona
, and his wife Judit von Backnang-Sulichgau. In 1116 Pope Paschal I
confirmed the foundation. As early as 1123 under Hermann II of Baden the monastery had to be revived with the help of Augustinians from Marbach Abbey in Alsace
.
Between 1123 and 1243 the abbey was the burial place of the Zähringen
Margraves of Baden, a connection which brought much influence and prosperity.
Backnang's geographical position exposed it from the 13th century to Württemberg
and for this reason in 1243 Margravine Irmengard transferred the remains of her husband Hermann V of Baden to her foundation of Lichtenthal Abbey
in the town of Baden-Baden
.
In 1297 possession of Backnang passed to Württemberg. In 1366 Count Eberhard II of Württemberg
succeeded in gaining control of the abbey's finances. In 1477 it was changed into a secular collegiate foundation, with th approval of Pope Sixtus IV
.
In 1535 the community was dissolved. The canons of Backnang however, by making a complaint to Emperor Charles V
, obtained permission to reoccupy it, which they did in 1551. The last of them died in 1593, when the house was finally suppressed.
The abbey church ("Stiftskirche") still stands in Backnang.
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
in Backnang
Backnang
Backnang is a town in Germany in the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg, roughly 30 kilometers northeast of Stuttgart. Its population has increased greatly over the past century, from 7,650 in 1900 to 35,761 in 2005....
, Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
It was founded before 1116 by Hermann I, Markgraf of Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
, and his wife Judit von Backnang-Sulichgau. In 1116 Pope Paschal I
Pope Paschal I
Pope Saint Paschal I was pope from January 25, 817 to February 11, 824. A native of Rome and son of Bonosus, he was raised to the pontificate by the acclamation of the clergy, shortly after the death of Pope Stephen IV, and before the sanction of the emperor Louis the Pious had been obtained - a...
confirmed the foundation. As early as 1123 under Hermann II of Baden the monastery had to be revived with the help of Augustinians from Marbach Abbey in Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
.
Between 1123 and 1243 the abbey was the burial place of the Zähringen
Zähringen
Zähringen is the name of an old German family that founded a large number of cities in what are today Switzerland and Baden-Württemberg. While the junior line that first assumed the title Duke of Zähringen, a cadet branch of the House of Baden, became extinct in 1218, the senior line persists and...
Margraves of Baden, a connection which brought much influence and prosperity.
Backnang's geographical position exposed it from the 13th century to Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
and for this reason in 1243 Margravine Irmengard transferred the remains of her husband Hermann V of Baden to her foundation of Lichtenthal Abbey
Lichtenthal Abbey
The Lichtenthal Abbey is a Cistercian nunnery in Lichtenthal in the town of Baden-Baden, Germany.-History and buildings:...
in the town of Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a spa town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the western foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe...
.
In 1297 possession of Backnang passed to Württemberg. In 1366 Count Eberhard II of Württemberg
Eberhard II, Count of Württemberg
Eberhard II, called "der Greiner" , Count of Württemberg from 1344 until 1392.Eberhard II was son of Count Ulrich III of Württemberg and Sofie of Pfirt. He married Countess Elizabeth von Henneberg-Schleusingen on September 17, 1342...
succeeded in gaining control of the abbey's finances. In 1477 it was changed into a secular collegiate foundation, with th approval of Pope Sixtus IV
Pope Sixtus IV
Pope Sixtus IV , born Francesco della Rovere, was Pope from 1471 to 1484. His accomplishments as Pope included the establishment of the Sistine Chapel; the group of artists that he brought together introduced the Early Renaissance into Rome with the first masterpiece of the city's new artistic age,...
.
In 1535 the community was dissolved. The canons of Backnang however, by making a complaint to Emperor Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
, obtained permission to reoccupy it, which they did in 1551. The last of them died in 1593, when the house was finally suppressed.
The abbey church ("Stiftskirche") still stands in Backnang.