Königsfelds

Königsfelds refers to a historical event and the subsequent establishment of a convent in the present-day Swiss canton of Aargau. The event occurred on May 1, 1308, when King Albert I of Germany was assassinated by his nephew, John Parricida, on the road near the village of Königsfelden. This act of regicide sent shockwaves through the Holy Roman Empire.

In the aftermath of the assassination, the Habsburg family, to which Albert I belonged, sought to atone for the sin and secure their dynasty's future. Agnes of Burgundy, Albert's widow, played a significant role in this endeavor. She founded the Königsfelden Convent in 1310 on the site of the murder. The convent was initially a monastery for Franciscan nuns and later also housed Augustinian canons. It became an important spiritual and economic center in the region and a place of pilgrimage.

The convent flourished for centuries, becoming a significant institution within the Habsburg territories. Its construction and maintenance were supported by the Habsburgs, who saw it as a testament to their piety and power. The convent's church contained numerous tombs of Habsburg family members, further solidifying its dynastic connection. The Reformation in the 16th century led to significant changes, and the convent was secularized in 1528. However, the buildings and grounds remained under the control of the canton of Bern and later Aargau. Today, the former convent buildings are home to a museum and are a protected historical monument, serving as a reminder of the dramatic events of 1308 and the subsequent religious and political history of the region.