Enger - Stiftskirche

The Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church) in the town of Enger in northeastern Westphalia. Here is the epitaph of Widukind, the pagan Saxon leader and Charlemagne´s chief opponent of during the Saxon Wars. Widukind was first mentioned 777, being the only saxonian leader not appearing to Charlemagnes court Paderborn. Upto 784 the Saxons battled the Franks, 785 Widukind surrendered and got baptized in (today french) Attigny. Charlemagne being the godfather. Many legends have developed around Widukind?s life. One tells, that he came to Enger, founded a church and lived here. There is no proof for that. Many historians assume, that Widukind was imprisoned after his baptism, as Charlemagne used to deal with "old opponents" that way. But there is no proof either. The oldest mentioning of Widukind´s grave in Enger goes back to 1216.

The church was built between the 12th and the 14th century. Obvioulsy the building started at the apse, as from there to the transpet, the style is romanesque. There is even a carved tympanum over the portal, displaying a "pankrator" in a mandorla with St. Mary and a bishop (probably St. Dionysius/St. Denis, first bishop of Paris) on the sides. From there on to left, the style is gothic.