page_title: Esslingen am Neckar
section_title: Middle Ages
hierarchical_section_title: Esslingen am Neckar / History / Middle Ages
caption_attribution_description: English: Detail of an early 18th century map of Swabia showing the territory of the Free Imperial City of Esslingen (Reichsstadt Esslingen) made of one main part with the town of Esslingen (now Esslingen am Neckar) plus a smaller exclave to the southwest. Both were entirely surrounded by the Duchy of Württemberg. Detail from map two of a nine-map series centered on the Circle of Swabia titled Suevia Universa by Matthäus Seutter and based on information by Jacques de Michal. Published c 1725-1727.
context_page_description: Esslingen am Neckar is a city in the Stuttgart Region of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany, seat of the District of Esslingen as well as the largest city in the district. Within Baden-Württemberg it is the 11th largest city.
  It is located on the Neckar River, about 14 kilometres southeast of Stuttgart city center. The regions surrounding the city of Esslingen are also mostly developed.
  Esslingen was a free imperial city for several centuries until it was annexed by Württemberg in 1802.
  The German Timber-Frame Road passes through the city.
context_section_description: Esslingen was first mentioned in 777 as Ezelinga in the last will of Abbot Fulrad from Saint-Denis (near Paris), the chaplain of Pippin and Charlemagne. He bequeathed the church sixth cell upon the river Neckar to his monastery, Saint-Denis. He also brought the bones of Saint Vitalis to Esslingen, which made it a destination for pilgrims and led to its growth.
  Around 800 Esslingen became a market town, its market rights being certified in 866. In 949–953 it was a possession of Liudolf, Duke of Swabia. Esslingen received city rights in 1229 under Emperor Frederick II. During the same period the still-extant Neckar bridge was built, making Esslingen a major center for trade on the route between Italy, Switzerland, and northern Germany. Taxes provided by the bridge and market led to further growth of the town, as did the export of the highly regarded wines from the region.
  The period between the 13th century and 16th century saw many conflicts between the Free Imperial City and the Counts of Württemberg (later Duchy of Württemberg). About half the population lost their lives in the Thirty Years War between 1618 and 1648 through famine or epidemics. Esslingen lost its independence as an Imperial city during the Napoleonic era in 1802–1803, becoming part of the Duchy of Württemberg.
caption: Territory of the Free Imperial City of Esslingen
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