Irmensaul

Irmensaul a statue of unknown form and significance, which was erected at Eresberge, in Hessen or Westphalia, and worshipped by the ancient Saxons. In 772. Charlemagne, having conquered the country and brought the people under subjection, destroyed it, to discontinue the idolatrous worship. It is said that he found in' the inside a great amount of gold and silver. In the cathedral of Hildesheim they show a column of green marble which is claimed to be the column of Irmensaul. See Grimm, Irmenstrasse u. Irmensaüle (Vienna, 1815); Von der Hagen, Isrmin, seine Sdule u. s. Wege (Bresl. 1817). — Pierer, Univ. Lex. 9:66. (J. N. P.)