European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 05, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse                                He Imperial Edras East choir of Speyer Dom illustrates rounded Arch and Basilica form typical of romanesque Art. The three massive cathedrals of Mainz Speyer and Worms Are Tow ering examples of the romanesque builders Art. Although each is Complete in itself All share a unified approach toward expressing Man s vision of his beliefs. Happily the three Kaiser oms a they arc termed in German Are with in easy driving distance of each other a rare Bonus for the Buff who wishes to visit these Majestic forerunners of the gothic age. Each is recognized As a major architectural Triumph and noted for special qualities. The Cathedral of St. Martin in cold in Mainz is thought to have the great est variety of form the richest play of imagination the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Stephen in Speyer is the largest romanesque edifice in Germany and represents an impressive simplification of the previous Ottonio periods Worms St. Peter s is credited with the greatest purity in concept. Page 12 the Mainz Dom is the oldest of the three As it was dedicated in 1009.it was ravaged by fire shortly afterwards but rebuilt to the same plan by 103 5. Its plan while clearly romanesque shows u close relationship to earlier Church buildings notably Bamberg s Cathedral of St. Peter and St. George. The stars and stripes crypt in Speyer shows limits rounded Arch imposed on Virbie romanesque. If is Speyer had close links to holy roman Empire is site of r�b5bu,g Tomb. There is a close relationship betwee the Speyer and Mainz Doms. Both use the same nine pillared system for the main Nave and both have Basilica like asses circular in shape with elaborate round Arches supported by pillars March ing about the upper circumference. But Speyer follows the older Basilica plan with a single apse while Mainz has the two opposed asses or  West apse is octagonal and flanked by twin unmatched round Tow ers As is mainz1. Speyer s apse towers Are rectangular although they use Tho rounded Arch form for the pillared areas. The Mainz edifice also shows the wonderful combination of forms that while at time in distinct opposition still blend into a the aps is the input Vest again the stools from Tio ship be quo and the Lai k at my. O Well Asl history is on a larger i cover the St. Peters i i of St. Mar is whole. While y romanesque lie romanesque created Cnorr is Rale us rela Erman romans raves of Bishops i a artistic As l Thi i or Man pm to main that of  a. Speyer the Mainz Dom was destroyed by firkin 1793 by French troops. It was re stored in the 19th Century although no too great care was paid in following the original lines. By 1924 More careful restorers were at work and had reshaped the building along its original lines As itis today. Speyer More than any of the Oilie Imperial cathedrals was intimately connected with the holy roman Empire audits rulers. Konrad ii began the Speyer Dom in 1030 and his son Henry Iii completed the first major Section in 1060. Both men were Strong German nationalists and were followed by Henry in the Star crossed Monarch who fought the papacy for ultimate control of the holy roman Empire and with it the Christian world. It was from Speyer that Henry in de parted for his pilgrimage to Canossa to win absolution from the Pope so that he could be restored to his throne. Many see in the Speyer Dom the Symbol of German nationalism against the Supra nation Power of the Pope. The tragic Story of Henry in is the sort of Story that helps bring the March of history to life for visitors to such edifices at Speyer. Born in 1050, Henry Heinrich in German of course was chosen King in 1053 and came of age in 1065. He was a military King and a Friend of the people. He gave the City of Worms its Freedom after the citizens backed him and thus helped it become a historical Pivotal Point. H enry s major difficulty was in his relationship with Tho papacy in Rome. In 1075 Pope Gregory Vii propounded Vari Ous dictates Pape which among other things gave the Pope the right to depos emperors and barred emperors from appointing laymen As Bishops to  Pope demanded that Henry with draw his candidate for the Milan seat and Henry refused calling a diet at Worms in 1076 which deposed  Pope fired Back by a communicating Henry and freeing his subjects from the oaths to the emperor. Henry s kingdom was split by civil War and finally to maintain his throne Henry crossed the Alps and called at the Pope s Castle at Canossa where he stood Barefoot before the Gates for three Day before the Pope lifted the ban. Henry re ,lll.,.,.l.l.lllllllll  of Germany. From top clockwise the West choir of Worms St. Martin s in Mainz from across Rhine Speyer s Cathedral phen. Sculpture Arch Are from the Cathedral in Worms. 968 1 Mainz Eastern Portal is pure romanesque. Cathedral in Mainz is oldest of Kaiser oms. West choir of Mainz shows Basilica shape. Turned to Worms to find that Rudolph of Swabia had been elected King. Henry fought to regain his kingdom and at first was in great difficulty. But Rudolph died in 1080 and Henry went Rome to depose the Pope. He did and he Antipope Clement Iii was installed inst. Peter s. Henry s first wife died in 1087. And remarried again. But his new Queen be came involved in an affair with his Vonconrad who had Boon crowned King a not uncommon practice in those Days of Tricky succession. His wife fled and Henry s son was persuaded to assume the throne by the papal party which opposed  retired for five years to Italy then returned stronger than Ever. Con Rad was deposed by a diet in Mainz and Henry s second son was elected Henry the new emperor however Felt that he owed Little loyalty to his excommunicated father the new Pope had imposed the sentence anew and took him Pri Soner. The old King escaped to Cologne and was raising an army when he died i Liege in 1106, a Royal refugee from his own son in his own lands. Like Prince Hal who became Henry v in England Henry in was a fun Loving youth who moved toward greatness on the throne. Skilled in War a Graceful Diplomat he lost his kingdom amid the swirling currents of the pretentious of the papacy and the Feudal ambitions the stars and stripes of his  Louis Xiv of France Felt that the Speyer Dom was an Offens against Tho Pone for he had it burned in 1689 the Only part undamaged or looted was the area of the crypts where Rudolph of hapsburg was buried along with Many other German emperors. Speyer was rebuilt 1772-1794 Fol lowing the old plans and using much of the remaining Stone. The Interior was restored in the 19th Century in harmonious style although Many purists Are unhappy about the murals. Today Speyer s Dom is no longer the largest Church in Germany Cologne s Cathedral occupies that position after the Speyer edifice held the title foursome 500 year but it remains an imposing Monument. Al youngest of the three Kaiser oms is the Worms Cathedral. It is also the smallest but the near perfect blend of Stylos Marks it As a High Point of the romanesque Worms is. Of course famed for anythings for the diet which tried mar tin Luther for heresy As the place where the German Folk hero of the Nibelungenlied Siegfried Rode to w o o Kriemhild whose brother held Courtin a Palace near the Cathedral site. There has been a settlement on the site for some 5,000 years with the celts r come Tiu if on Page 13