in 1207 adolf von altena was in rome, where he tried against his successor and fought for his reinstatement as archbishop - without success. only the murder of philip of swabia (21 june 1208) and the changed political situation led to a submission to the pope and a recognition of his successor for himself and his followers, for which he received an annual pension of 250 marks. adolf, from then until his death, was active in the archdiocese of cologne as an auxiliary bishop. however his see was not returned to him.