Korbach

Korbach was granted town rights in 1188 by the Bishop of Paderborn Bernhard II. granted town rights under Soest law. Owing to the location at the crossroads of the Cologne-Leipzig and Frankfurt-Bremen commercial roads, handicrafts and trade quickly developed and Korbach blossomed. In the 14th century, Saint Kilian's Church (Kilianskirche) and St. Nicholas's Church (Nikolaikirche) were built. Korbach joined the Hanse and was first mentioned as a member town of the Hanseatic League in 1469. The Korbach merchants traded in cloth, skins and beer, as well as gold and other metals from the surrounding area. In 1414, a double ring of walls surrounding the whole town was finished.

With the coming of the Reformation, the town, and indeed the whole County of Waldeck, became Protestant.