282 The history of our present day Guard of Honour of the City of Cologne The history of the „EhrenGarde der Stadt Köln 1902 e. V.“ is closely linked to the history of Cologne and the Cologne Carnival. The oldest recorded beginnings of the Carnival celebrations may go back far in history. From the Winter Solstice and Lupercalia it developed during medieval times into a religious festival just before the beginning of lent on Ash Wednesday. Guards of honour are a common institution in the history of Cologne, starting in 1235 on the occasion of the ceremonial procession of Princess Isabella of England, later to become the wife of Emperor Friedrich II., in Cologne. Under napoleon occupation, a „Garde d‘honneur de la ville de Cologne“ had been established, which served as a raw model for today‘s EhrenGarde der Stadt Köln. Today, when we look back over the 100-year history of our association, we see that one name is inseparably linked to the founding of the „EhrenGarde der Stadt Köln 1902 e.V.“. Heinrich „Heinz“ Stupp (1875-1955) was the founder and the first commander of the EhrenGarde. Growing up as the son of a theatre owner, Stupp caught the Carnival bug during the many years that his father organised activities for the Carnival procession. Initially, the EhrenGarde was called „Stadtkölnische Ordnungstruppe“ (Cologne City Order Troop) or „Schutzgarde des Kölner Bauern und Jungfrau 1800“ (Protective Guard of the Cologne Farmer and Maiden 1800). Midway through 1900, Stupp changed again the name. At the founding meeting on 15.11.1900 its had been decided to name the group „EhrenGarde der Stadt Köln“ (Guard of Honour of the City of Cologne). Initially, the EhrenGarde was not permitted to take the sought after position in front of the Farmer and the Maiden in the Carnival procession, two traditional figures in cities history the farmer representing the courage of the city, the maiden representing the free city of Cologne. It‘s thanks to his youthful enthusiasm and belief in the idea that Stupp and his followers were able to win through against the stubborn principle riders. It was agreed to give the mounted group the chance of slipping into a favourable position in the Carnival procession by faking a breakdown. Shouting „Rubbedidupp“, the group won its place in the Carnival procession and has defended it to this day. The battle cry of the EhrenGarde „Rubbedidupp“ still serves as a reminder of this daring coup. This was a display of the original Cologne Carnival spirit. From this point on, the motto of the EhrenGarde has been: „Dem Bauer zur Wehr, der Jungfrau zur Ehr!” „For the Farmer‘s defence and the Maiden‘s honour!” History
Ehrengarde Sessionsbuch 2017
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