royal privileges, the economic basis for Speyer�s bishops were their possessions, substantial estates, customs and ferry levies as well as the prerogative of coinage received in the 10th century. 8 km around Speyer the bishop owned a complete circle of possessions.
According to scriptures, through the times, there were several cathedrals in Speyer. The first one was built by Dagobert I around 636 for the bishops of Speyer. In the end of the 8th century St. Stephan's was either renewed or totally reconstructed. For 782 there is mention of a cathedral with the traditional name �Church of St. Mary or St. Stephan�. In 846 bishop Gebhard (846�880) consecrated a second cathedral. For 858 there is mention of a �cathedral of the sacred virgin Mary, which stands in the town of Speyer�, �cathedral of sacred Maria, built in the town of Speyer�, or �the before mentioned sacred cathedral�. Other scriptures of 853/54 mention a �cathedral of Speyer�. Therefore the existence of a Carolingian cathedral in Speyer is assumed but remnants were never found.
When Louis the pious died, the empire was partitioned among his three sons. According to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 Speyer became part of East Francia under Louis the German. In the following years Speyer bishops participated in numerous synods and engaged in negotiations in Paris and Rome at the request of the emperor. In 891 bishop Gebhard I received an endowment from King Arnulf for the cathedral foundation. Arnulf died without an heir and kingship passed to the Franconian duke Conrad I. The first major conflict between bishop and count is known to have occurred during Conrad�s reign in 913. Einhard I of Speyer and other bishops supported Conrad I in a struggle with opposing dukes. District count Werner V, progenitor of the Salian dynasty tended to expand his territories at the expense of the church and had the bishop Einhard blinded on 12 March 913. The bishop never recovered and died in 918.
Conrad I was
