Free Imperial City of Ulm Freie Reichsstadt Ulm
1181–1803
Flag derived from the coat of arms Coat of arms
The Free Imperial City of Ulm (lower center) and surrounding area
Status	Free Imperial City
Capital	Ulm 48°24′N 09°59′E / 48.400°N 9.983°E / 48.400; 9.983
Government	Republic
Historical era	Middle Ages; Early Modern Period
• Settlement founded	around 5000 BC
• Gained Reichsfreiheit	1181
• Großer Schwörbrief	1397
• Reformed to Protestantism	1530
• Truce of Ulm in     Thirty Years' War	1647
• Mediatised to Bavaria	1803
• Annexed by Württemberg	1809
Preceded by Succeeded by Duchy of Swabia Electorate of Bavaria

The Free Imperial City of Ulm was a Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire. It is situated on the left bank of the Danube, in a fertile plain at the foot of the Swabian Jura.^[1]

History

Ulm is mentioned as a demesne in 854, and under the Carolingian dynasty it was the scene of several assemblies.^[2] It became a town in 1027, and was soon the principal place in the Duchy of Swabia.^[2] Although burned down by Henry the Lion, the town soon recovered, becoming a Free Imperial City in 1155.^[2] Towards the close of the Middle Ages it played a leading part several times at the head of Swabian Leagues^[2] of the 14th century and 15th century. Its trade and commerce prospered, peaking in the 15th century, ruling over a district about 300 square miles (780 km²).^[2] It became a Free Imperial City with extensive territorial authority, and having a population of about 60,000. It became Protestant in 1530 and declined after the French Wars of Religion of the 16th century and 17th century. In 1802 it lost its Imperial immediacy and passed to Electorate of Bavaria, being ceded to Kingdom of Württemberg in 1810. In October 1805 General Karl Mack von Leiberich and his 23,000 Austrian troops capitulated to Napoleon here. Ulm is remarkable in the history of German literature as the spot where the Meistersingers lingered longest, orally preserving the traditional folklore of their craft.^[2]

References