A truly insidious murder of absolute brutality took place long ago in the bishopric city of Speyer. The year was 1277 when, on Good Friday of all days, cathedral dean Albrecht von Mußbach was lynched in an inconceivably cruel manner by unknown assailants. The assassins intercepted the cathedral dean of Speyer in the early morning of March 26 on his way from Schlegelhof, where he lived, to the cathedral, where he wanted to prepare for his Good Friday mass. A sword blade pierced his back from behind, striking him right in the heart. Then his throat was cut with a dagger. But that was not enough. He was struck down with a blow and his skull hit the cobblestones, causing it to crack open. After the perpetrators had cut off the dead cathedral dean’s left hand and kicked his body, they disappeared into the morning mist. When the cathedral dean was found, a pig was gleefully feasting on his leaking brain fluid. Although the church excommunicated the brutal murderers, they could not be caught. But why was Dean Albrecht von Mußbach executed in such a brutal manner? Since the 12th century, the people of Speyer had been rebelling against the rule of the prince-bishop, as they were required to pay a tax, a kind of sales tax, to the church. Cathedral dean Albrecht Mußbach, who had taken over not only the interests of the Speyer cathedral chapter but also the duties of the Bishop of Speyer von Bolanden from 1276 onwards, as the latter was imprisoned by the knight Wolfram von Fleckenstein in his castle Fleckenstein, had to rigorously enforce the tax privileges of the church. This led to him becoming the target of the population’s naked hatred, which culminated in his murder. The bitter disputes did not end until 1294, when Speyer was granted the rights of a free imperial city by the emperor as one of seven cities. This ended the bishop’s rule over Speyer, as the citizens were now obliged to the emperor. At this time, the cathedral bowl was erected in front of the Imperial Cathedral in Speyer, marking the border between the Free Imperial City of Speyer and the bishopric. If someone had violated city law and was able to flee to the cathedral bowl, they could escape city jurisdiction, as episcopal law applied there and the penalties were significantly milder.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
