Gandersheim Abbey

Gandersheim Abbey (German: Stift Gandersheim) is a former house of secular canonesses (Frauenstift) in the present town of Bad Gandersheim in Lower Saxony, Germany. It was founded in 852 by Duke Liudolf of Saxony, progenitor of the Liudolfing or Ottonian dynasty, whose rich endowments ensured its stability and prosperity.

Imperial free secular foundation of Gandersheim
Kaiserlich freies weltliches Reichsstift Gandersheim
919–1802
Coat of arms
Gandersheim Abbey church
StatusImperial Abbey
CapitalGandersheim Abbey
Common languagesEastphalian
GovernmentPrincipality
Historical eraMiddle Ages
 Founded by Liudolf,
    Duke of Saxony

852
 Placed under Imperial
    protection by Louis
    the Younger


877 919
 Granted Reichsfreiheit
    by Henry the Fowler

919
 Sovereignty confirmed
    by Pope Innocent III,
    raised to princely status


22 June 1206
 Wolfenbüttel occupied
    by Schmalkaldic League

1542
 Surrendered reichsfreiheit
    to Wolfenbüttel
1802
 Occupied by France under
    Kingdom of Westphalia

1807–13
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Duchy of Saxony
Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Today part ofGermany

The "Imperial free secular foundation of Gandersheim" (Kaiserlich freies weltliches Reichsstift Gandersheim), as it was officially known from the 13th century to its dissolution in 1810, was a community of the unmarried daughters of the high nobility, leading a godly life but not under monastic vows, which is the meaning of the word "secular" in the title.

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