Lippstadt

Lippstadt lies among branches of the Lippe, founded in 1168 by Bernhard II of Lippe. By the early thirteenth century the town had four parish churches; an Augustinian house followed later in the century. From 1400 Lippstadt was governed jointly by the counts of Lippe and Cleves-Mark, a shared lordship that continued under their successors for centuries. In 1523 Lippstadt joined neighbouring cities in a defensive alliance. Augustinian scholars returning from Wittenberg brought Luther's ideas, and in 1524 their prior Westermann preached the new doctrine here. The town became one of the early communities to adopt Lutheranism officially. Heinrich von Ahaus also established a women's community associated with the Brethren of the Common Life in Lippstadt.