November 07: Saint Engelbert II of Berg

Saint Engelbert II(1185- 1225) was the archbishop of Cologne. He was born in Schloss Burg, the younger son of Count Engelbert I of Berg. He was elected Bishop of Munster in 1203 but he declined because of his age. But later, on 29 February 1216, he was elected as the Archbishop of Cologne. Due to his younger age, Engelbert defended his personal inheritance as Count of Berg against Duke Waleran III of Limburg. During his incumbency as archbishop, Engelbert continued to fight for the re-establishment and security of the Archdiocese of Cologne both as the ecclesiastical authority and also as a secular territory.

Engelbert earned the respect and affection of his subjects through his devotion to justice and his energy in maintaining law and took great pains to ensure the well-being of the religious within his authority. His military action led to his death. On 7th November 1225, while he was traveling to Cologne from a judicial hearing in Soest, he was killed by his cousin. His body was taken to Cologne on a dung-cart and when examined, found to have 47 wounds.

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