HERSFELD. - An ancient Benedictine abbey in the province of Hessen-Nassau in Prussia. It was founded in 744 by Sturmi, a disciple of St. Boniface, in honour of the apostles Simon and Thaddeus.
Charlemagne enriched the monastery, and Pope Stephen III granted it exemption from episcopal jurisdiction. About 780 Lullo, bishop of Magonia, transferred to H. the relics of St. Wigberto and built there in his honour the church, which was completed in 850. The abbey flourished especially under Abbot Gozberto (d. 985): at that time a rich library was assembled and the Annales Hersfeldienses were produced. Abbot Gottardo (1005–12) revived monastic discipline. In the struggle between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV, the abbey sided with the Emperor; at the end of the 11th century it recovered and prospered until the 15th century, but then declined; in 1513 Abbot Wolperto resigned, and H. was united with Fulda until 1515. In 1517, under Abbot Krato, Lutheranism penetrated it, and in 1606 Otto, prince of Assia, became its administrator. Meanwhile the famous Library fell into decay and the manuscripts were dispersed. During the Seven Years’ War the church was destroyed by the French in 1761.