War of Metz
Encyclopedia
The War of Metz or Four Lords' War was a feudal conflict which devastated the region around Metz
between 1324 and 1326. At the Siege of Metz, in 1324, cannons were first recorded in Western Europe.
Following a series of quarrels with the city of Metz and mounting debts incurred by its bourgeoisie, King John of Bohemia, his uncle Baldwin, Archbishop of Trier
, Count Edward I of Bar, and Duke Frederick IV of Lorraine
joined together to form a coalition to take the city by force. The war was fought chiefly over the possession of land and the obligations, not always respected, of the burgesses as vassals of their lords. The debts the burgesses owed were many and varied:
After two years of trouble, Pope John XXII
refused his financial assistance and the four princes were constrained to come to terms with the citizens of Metz. The treaty signed was called the "Peace of Herrings", as Metz was depending on herrings for food while the lords blocked incoming trade routes. The negotiations took place at Pont-à-Mousson
. The burgesses promised not to set up markets on the fiefs of the lords without their consent.
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
between 1324 and 1326. At the Siege of Metz, in 1324, cannons were first recorded in Western Europe.
Following a series of quarrels with the city of Metz and mounting debts incurred by its bourgeoisie, King John of Bohemia, his uncle Baldwin, Archbishop of Trier
Baldwin, Archbishop of Trier
Baldwin of Luxembourg was the Archbishop-Elector of Trier and Archchancellor of Burgundy from 1307 to his death. From 1328 to 1336, he was the diocesan administrator of the archdiocese of Mainz and from 1331 to 1337 of those of Worms and Speyer...
, Count Edward I of Bar, and Duke Frederick IV of Lorraine
Frederick IV, Duke of Lorraine
Frederick IV , called the Fighter, was the Duke of Lorraine from 1312 to his death.-Biography:Frederick was born in Gondreville, the son and successor of Theobald II and Isabella of Rumigny....
joined together to form a coalition to take the city by force. The war was fought chiefly over the possession of land and the obligations, not always respected, of the burgesses as vassals of their lords. The debts the burgesses owed were many and varied:
- the ransom of the duke of Lorraine paid to Louis of BavariaLouis IV, Holy Roman EmperorLouis IV , called the Bavarian, of the house of Wittelsbach, was the King of Germany from 1314, the King of Italy from 1327 and the Holy Roman Emperor from 1328....
after he was made prisoner after the Battle of MühldorfBattle of MühldorfThe Battle of Mühldorf was fought near Mühldorf am Inn on September 28, 1322 between the Duchy of Bavaria and Austria...
in 1322 - the ransom of the count of Bar paid to Frederick IV of Lorraine after he was made prisoner after a battle near Nancy in 1313
- the 50,000 pound loan to Henry VIIHenry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII was the King of Germany from 1308 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1312. He was the first emperor of the House of Luxembourg...
, father of the king of Bohemia, in order to finance his successful bid for the Holy Roman EmperorHoly Roman EmperorThe Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
ship - the garrisoning of troops in the city by the count of Bar during a war with the Bishop of Verdun
After two years of trouble, Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII , born Jacques Duèze , was pope from 1316 to 1334. He was the second Pope of the Avignon Papacy , elected by a conclave in Lyon assembled by Philip V of France...
refused his financial assistance and the four princes were constrained to come to terms with the citizens of Metz. The treaty signed was called the "Peace of Herrings", as Metz was depending on herrings for food while the lords blocked incoming trade routes. The negotiations took place at Pont-à-Mousson
Pont-à-Mousson
Pont-à-Mousson is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.Population : 14,592 . It is an industrial town , situated on the Moselle River...
. The burgesses promised not to set up markets on the fiefs of the lords without their consent.
Sources
- Bour René: "Histoire de Metz", Metz, 1950.
- Le Moigne François-Yves: "Histoire de Metz", 1986.