Attendorn

Attendorn grew at the crossing of the Heidenstraße and Königsstraße in the Sauerland. Granted town rights in 1222, it became a stronghold of the archbishops of Cologne against the neighbouring counts of Mark. Wool and linen weaving, its guilds and an archiepiscopal mint brought prosperity; its merchants were represented in Hanseatic affairs through Soest. During the Soest Feud, Attendorn supported the archbishop and helped him conquer Bilstein in 1444 and 1445. Its wealth did not spare it later hardship: plague struck repeatedly, and fires ravaged the town in 1613, 1623 and 1656, the last destroying half of it. War and occupation during the Thirty Years' War added to the burdens borne by its inhabitants.