HERSFELD. — Ancient Benedictine abbey in the province of Hessen-Nassau in Prussia. It was founded in 774 by Sturm, a disciple of St Boniface, in honour of the Apostles Simon and Jude.
Charlemagne enriched the monastery, and Pope Stephen III granted it exemption from episcopal jurisdiction. Around 780 Lullus, Bishop of Mainz, transferred to H. the relics of St Wigbert and built in his honour the church, which was completed in the year 850. The abbey flourished especially under Abbot Gotbert (d. 985); at that time a rich library was collected and the *Annales Hersfeldenses* were compiled. Abbot Gotthard (1005–12) revived monastic discipline. During the conflict between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV, the abbey sided with the Emperor; it recovered until the 15th century, but then declined. In 1513 Abbot Wolperto resigned, and H. was united with Fulda until 1515. In 1517, with Abbot Krato, Lutheranism penetrated the abbey, and in 1606 Otto, Landgrave of Hesse, became its administrator. Meanwhile the famous library fell into ruin and the manuscripts were dispersed. During the Seven Years’ War the church was destroyed by the French in 1761.