ury Archbishop Engelbert, more daring
and ambitious than any of his predecessors, demanded that the municipal
treasure should be given up to him. Not content with taking away the
privileges of the burghers, he wished to lay his hands on the public
purse as well. This was indeed the last straw, and the sluggish blood of
the burghers was at length roused to revolt.

At this time the Burgomaster of Cologne, Hermann Grein by name, was an
honest, far-seeing, and diplomatic citizen, who had seen with dismay the
ancient liberties of his beloved city destroyed by the cunning of the
Archbishop. The latter's bold attempt at further encroachments gave him
the opportunity he sought, and with the skill of a born leader Hermann
Grein united nobles and commons in the determination to resist their
mutual enemy. Feuds were for the time being forgotten, and with a
gallant effort the galling yoke of the Archbishop-prince was thrown off,
and the people of Cologne were once more free.

Grein performed his civic duties so firmly, albeit so smoothly and
gently, that he won the love and respect of all sections of the
populace. Old and young hailed him in their hearts as the deliverer of
their city from ecclesiastical tyranny. Only Engelbert hated him with
a deadly hatred, and swore to be revenged; nor was his resolve weakened
when a later attempt to subdue the city was frustrated by the foresight
of Grein. It became obvious to the Archbishop that force was unavailing,
for the majority of all classes were on the side of liberty, and were
likely to remain so while Hermann Grein was at their head. So he made
up his mind to accomplish by means of strategy the death of the good old
man.

Now there were in the monastery close by Cologne two canons who shared
Engelbert's hatred of Grein, and who were only too willing to share in
his revenge. And the plan was indeed a cunning one. Belonging to a small
collection of animals attached to the monastery was a fierce lion, which
had more than once proved a convenient mode of removing the Church's
enemies. So it was arranged that the Burgomaster should be asked to
meet the Archbishop there. The latter sent a suave message to his enemy
saying that he desired to treat with him on matters connected with the
civic privileges, which he was disposed to restore to the city, with a
few small exceptions. This being the case, would the Burgomaster consent
to dine with him at the monastery on a certain date?

The B