The bridge over the Moselle is of Roman origin; but it has frequently been repaired and partially rebuilt, being subject to great pressure from the breaking up of the ice on the Moselle, when parts of Coblence are frequently inundated.
Ehrenbreitstein is built on the site of an ancient Roman tower, which is described in old maps as “Turris adversus Germaniam Magnam.” The Archbishops of Trèves built a palace under the walls of this castle, which was by that time much enlarged and strengthened. The palace still remains.
During the Thirty Years’ War, the garrison of Ehrenbreitstein was reduced to such straits for provisions, that on one occasion, at a banquet given by the General Commanding to his officers, there were served up to table sixteen mules, eight dogs, and eighty rats,—the latter delicate animals costing twenty sous each: in addition to these appetising viands, a morsel of bread was served out to each guest, the flour to make which cost one hundred florins a bushel.
At the French Revolution, Coblence became the capital of the Department of the Rhine and Moselle; in 1814 it was given to Prussia, and is now the capital of the Rhenish Provinces of Prussia, and the seat of the Government of those Provinces.
Old Coblence was built along the right bank of the Moselle; and its formerly important suburb of Little Coblence formed with it one town, immediately connected by the bridge. This bridge was entirely rebuilt by the celebrated Elector Baldwin of Trèves. It is recorded of him, that he, by his influence, procured the election of his brother Henry to the Imperial throne; and after his brother’s death he placed the crown on the head of the Duke of Bavaria: his nephew also was raised to the throne of Bohemia. He travelled into Italy with the Emperor, and was on that occasion surrounded by all the chivalry of the Moselle, the Counts of Elz, Von der Leyen, &c. &c.; in short, he seems to have equalled in power and magnificence any prince of the age. Yet he was outwitted by Lauretta of Sponheim.
The bridge was formerly the great centre of gaiety, and the place most resorted to for exercise and fresh air. Here, on the first day of the new year, came the chief magistrate to receive tribute from the different communities that owed him allegiance. The Seigneurs presented cheeses or a couple of fowls; the Religieuses of Oberwerth a cake, and those of the Chartreuse a quarter of a hundred of eggs.
On the occasion of this ceremony the senators and magistrates were allowed to snowball each other; but the bailiffs of the Elector were not permitted to take a part in this exercise.
A reunion of the authorities also took place on the bridge on the eve of St. Walpurgis. Then the two burgomasters of Coblence and Little Coblence arrived, each with a bouquet of lilies freshly gathered. Lavender and thyme that had been plucked in the woods near Coblence were also made into bouquets and presented to the wives and daughters of the principal citizens.
The Walpurgis eve was, according to the old stories, the great day when the witches assembled from all parts, and rode abroad on the wind, or else bestrode their housewifely brooms. On one of the annual reunions upon the bridge a handsome and well-dressed cavalier, holding a bouquet of the fairest flowers in his hand, was seen wending his way through the crowd. The eyes of all the young maidens were turned with admiring glances upon the cavalier’s handsome face, and great was the jealousy when he stopped before Lieschen, and presented his bouquet to her. The plaited tails of their hair became more and more agitated, and meaning looks were exchanged as Lieschen (who, the men said, was lovely, but who, the girls said, was an impudent thing) was led by the hand through the crowd, her conductor being the handsome young stranger; but all their jealousy turned into pity when, the next morning, it was found that Lieschen had vanished. Doubtless the young man was a spirit of evil, who had carried her off to destruction.