Cobern was the country of the poet Reiff, whose sonnets, of a triste character, were much prized. The ruins which cover the country are said to have much influenced, and given this sombre character to, his writings.
The earliest traditions of this town record that a certain Lubentius, who was a contemporary of St. Castor of Carden, converted the ancient inhabitants and performed many miracles; and on one occasion a dispute having arisen between the canon, Peter of Carden, and the chaplain, William of Cobern, as to the respective merits of their two patrons, they fought it out with their fists. William of Cobern being the biggest and strongest, his cause was the best; so Saint Castor must rank after Lubentius.
On the fête of Lubentius fires were lighted on the surrounding hills, in emblem of the light of the Gospel, which dispersed the darkness of Paganism.
This fête took place at the time of the vintage, and the assisters thereat frequently imitated their champion, William the Chaplain, and strove to uphold their patron’s authority by the same arguments, the new wine giving life to old quarrels.
The ancient documents relating to Cobern are filled with histories of the quarrels of the inhabitants one with another, or with those of the neighbouring places.
The last Knight of Cobern was Johann Lutter, who, being taken prisoner by the citizens of Coblence, was by them beheaded as a disturber of the public peace.
St. Matthias Capelle.