Complex sentence: Peculiar to Cologne, however, was the Richerzeche, a corporation of all the wealthy patricians, which gradually absorbed in its hands the direction of the city's government-the first record of its active interference is in 1225.
Split into simpler sentences: Peculiar to Colognewas the Richerzeche, a corporation of all the wealthy patricians, which gradually absorbed in its hands the direction of the city's government. The first record of its active interference is in 1225.