Hildesheim was founded as the seat of the Bishopric of Hildesheim in 815. The settlement around the cathedral of Hildesheim was ruled by the clergy for four centuries and it quickly developed into a town which was awarded market rights by King Otto III in 983.Neigenfind, W.: Unsere schöne Stadt, p.46. Hildesheim 1964. The town grew further and obtained city rights in 1249, developing into a very wealthy merchant city.Neigenfind, W.: Unsere schöne Stadt, p. 38. Hildesheim 1964. At the end of the 13th century, Hildesheim had about 5,000 inhabitants and was one of the biggest and richest cities in the North of Germany. The citizens gained more and more self-confidence and did not want to be governed by the bishop any longer. As the bishop did not want to reside in the rebellious and dangerous city any more, he ordered Steuerwald Castle in the North of the city to be built as a new residence. When the castle was completed in 1313, he left Hildesheim. The bishops of Hildesheim resided in Steuerwald Castle until 1763. Then a bishop's palace was built in the centre of the city opposite the cathedral.
