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Prince-Bishopric of Verden: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Prince-Bishopric in the Holy Roman Empire}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = Prince-Bishopric of Verden<br>Principality of Verden
|conventional_long_name = Prince-Bishopric of Verden<br>Principality of Verden
|native_name = ''(Hoch)Stift Verden''<small> '''(1180–1648)'''</small><br>''Fürstentum Verden''<small> '''(1648–1807/10)'''</small>
|native_name = ''(Hoch)Stift Verden''<small> '''(1180–1648)'''</small>
|common_name = Verden
|common_name = Verden
|
|
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|
|
|year_start = 1180
|year_start = 1180
|year_end = 1807
|year_end = 1648
|life_span = 1180–1807/10
|life_span =
|
|
|event_pre =
|event_pre =
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|event_start = Break-up of [[Duchy of Saxony|Saxony]]
|event_start = Break-up of [[Duchy of Saxony|Saxony]]
|date_start =
|date_start =
|event1 =
⚫
|event1 = [[Peace of Westphalia|Secularised]] as the <br>{{spaces|4}}[[Bremen-Verden|Principality of Verden]]
|date_event1 = <br>15 May 1648
|date_event1 =
|event2 =
|event2 =
|date_event2 =
|date_event2 =
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|event4 =
|event4 =
|date_event4 =
|date_event4 =
⚫
|event_end = [[Peace of Westphalia|Secularised]] as the <br>[[Bremen-Verden|Principality of Verden]]
|event_end = <!--- Default: "Disestablished" --->
|date_end = 1807/10
|date_end = 15 May
|event_post =
|event_post = [[Congress of Vienna|Awarded]] to [[Kingdom of Hanover|Kingdom<br>{{spaces|4}}of Hanover]]
|date_post = <br>1815
|date_post =
|
|
|p1 = Duchy of Saxony
|p1 = Duchy of Saxony
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|flag_s1 = Flag of the Kingdom of Westphalia.svg
|flag_s1 = Flag of the Kingdom of Westphalia.svg
|
|
|capital = Verden (seat of [[Cathedral chapter|chapter)]], <br>[[Rotenburg an der Wümme|Rotenburg]] (residence of pr.-bishops since 1195)¹
|capital = [[Verden, Aller|Verden]] (seat of [[Cathedral chapter|chapter)]], <br>[[Rotenburg an der Wümme|Rotenburg]] (residence of pr.-bishops since 1195)¹
|title_leader = Ruler<!--{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|6}}[[Prince-bishop]], <br>{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}[[Diocesan administrator#Administrators of prince-bishoprics|administrator]], or <br>{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}[[Cathedral chapter|chapter]]<small> (in [[sede vacante|vacancy]])</small>, <br>{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}from 1648: [[Bremen-Verden#Dukes of Bremen and Princes of Verden (1648–1823)|Princes]]-->
|title_leader = Ruler<!--{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|6}}[[Prince-bishop]], <br>{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}[[Diocesan administrator#Administrators of prince-bishoprics|administrator]], or <br>{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}[[Cathedral chapter|chapter]]<small> (in [[sede vacante|vacancy]])</small>, <br>{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}{{spaces|15}}from 1648: [[Bremen-Verden#Dukes of Bremen and Princes of Verden (1648–1823)|Princes]]-->
|leader1 = <small>Prince-Bishop</small> [[Dietrich of Nieheim|Dietrich]]
|leader1 = <small>Prince-Bishop</small> [[Dietrich of Nieheim|Dietrich]]
Line 60: Line 61:
|footnotes = 1: Rotenburg castle was built in 1195, this may have been when the diocese had effectively acquired territorial power as prince-bishopric.
|footnotes = 1: Rotenburg castle was built in 1195, this may have been when the diocese had effectively acquired territorial power as prince-bishopric.
}}
}}
The '''Prince-Bishopric of Verden''' ({{langx|de|Fürstbistum Verden}}, ''Hochstift Verden'' or ''Stift Verden'') was an [[Hochstift|ecclesiastical principality]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] that was located in what is today the [[States of Germany|state]] of [[Lower Saxony]] in [[Germany]]. Verden had been a [[diocese]] of the [[Catholic Church]] since the middle of the 8th century. The state was disestablished in 1648. The territory was managed by secular lords on behalf of the Bishop of Verden. As a [[Prince-bishop|Prince-Bishopric]] of the Empire, the territory of the state was not identical with that of the bishopric, but was located within its boundaries and made up about a quarter of the diocesan area. By the terms of the [[Peace of Westphalia]], the Prince-Bishopric was disestablished and a new entity was established, the [[Bremen-Verden|Duchies of Bremen and Verden]].

The historic territory of '''Verden''' ({{IPA-de|ˈfeːɐ̯dən}}) emerged from the [[Monarchs]] of the [[Francia|Frankish]] [[Diocese of Verden]] in the area of present-day central and northeastern [[Lower Saxony]] and existed as such until 1648. The territory managed by secular lords for the bishops was not identical with that of the bishopric, but was located within its boundaries and made up about a quarter of the diocesan area. The territory was referred to at the time as ''Stift Verden'' or ''Hochstift Verden'', roughly equating to '''Prince-Bishopric of Verden'''. This territory described in local sources today incorrectly as ''Bistum Verden'' ("Bishopric of Verden") and, in 1648, was given the title '''Principality of Verden''', sometimes referred to as the '''Duchy of Verden'''.


== Location ==
== Location ==
The territory of Verden covered the eastern part of the present [[Landkreis Verden|district of Verden]] (its border ran between [[Langwedel (Weser)|Langwedel]] and [[Etelsen]]), the southern part of the [[Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme)|district of Rotenburg (Wümme)]] and parts of the districts of [[Harburg (district)|Harburg]] and the [[Heidekreis|Heath district (Heidekreis)]].
The territory of the Prince-Bishopric of Verden covered the eastern part of the present [[Landkreis Verden|district of Verden]] (its border ran between [[Langwedel (Weser)|Langwedel]] and [[Etelsen]]), and the southern part of the [[Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme)|district of Rotenburg (Wümme)]] and parts of the districts of [[Harburg (district)|Harburg]] and the [[Heidekreis|Heath district (Heidekreis)]].


== History ==
== History ==


=== Foundation ===
=== Foundation ===
The Diocese of Verden was founded around 800 in [[Verden an der Aller|Verden upon Aller]] as an episcopal see and initially belonged to the [[Ecclesiastical Province]] of [[Archbishopric of Mainz|Mainz]].{{fact|date=July 2021}}
The [[Diocese of Verden]] was founded around 800 in [[Verden an der Aller|Verden upon Aller]] as a [[suffragan]] in the [[ecclesiastical province]] of [[Archbishopric of Mainz|Mainz]].
When the old [[Duchy of Saxony]] was carved up in 1180, some of the territory around the ''Sturnmigau''' was erected as a state in [[Imperial immediacy]]. The Bishop of Verden, in addition to his spiritual duties, was, ''[[ex officio]]'', the temporal ruler of the [[Prince-Bishop|Prince-Bishopric]] of Verden. The first Prince-Bishop — Tammo of Verden — ruled an area that was about a quarter of the extent of the diocesan territory. In 1195 Prince-Bishop Rudolph I founded the castle of [[Rotenburg an der Wümme|Rotenburg upon Wümme]] as a stronghold against the neighbouring [[Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen]]. Later the castle took on the function of a prince-episcopal {{Lang|de|[[Residenz]]}}.
The first nine or ten bishops were Scots (Irish) or Englishmen, and include Saint [[Erlulph]].<ref>*{{citation |url=https://archive.org/details/livesofirishsain02ohanuoft/page/254/mode/2up?q=Erlulph |accessdate=2021-07-24 |last=O'Hanlon |first=John, |volume=2 |location=Dublin |publisher=J. Duffy |year=1875 |title=Lives of the Irish Saints : with special festivals, and the commemorations of holy persons}}</ref>
Originally held in [[personal union]] with [[Amorbach Abbey]] in the [[Odenwald]], by the 9th century the bishopric had become a [[political football]] for the regional nobility. For example, the Amelungs promoted their favourite monks from [[Corvey Abbey]] to the [[episcopal throne]].


The bishops, and hence the prince-bishops, were elected by the [[cathedral chapter]]. However, the papacy tried to influence the elections and sometimes succeeded in getting their candidates elected. Such candidates, who were usually not local men, did not enjoy local support and were seen as {{Lang|de|Landfremde}} or alien.
=== High Middle Ages ===
In 985, Emperor [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]], represented by his mother, Empress [[Theophanu]], granted the [[bishop]] of Verden market, minting, taxation and ban privileges in the ''Sturmigau'' – as the region of the present district of Verden and the pre-1977 district of Rotenburg was then called. These privileges formed the basis of a future [[Prince-Bishopric|prince-bishopric]] ([[Hochstift]]), which materialised with the carve-up of the old [[Duchy of Saxony]] in 1180. Prince-Bishop Tammo of Verden gained for about a quarter of the diocesan territory, where the see held already considerable privileges, the territorial princely power, establishing the Prince-Bishopric of Verden. In 1195 Prince-Bishop Rudolph I founded the castle of [[Rotenburg an der Wümme|Rotenburg upon Wümme]] as a stronghold against the neighbouring [[Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen|Bremen prince-archbishops]]. Later the castle took on the function of a prince-episcopal ''[[Residenz]]''.


⚫
From the early 16th century the prince-bishopric belonged to the [[Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle]] (colloquially: ''Westphalian Circle''), a fiscal and military subsection of the empire. Verden sent its representatives to the [[Imperial Diet (Holy Roman Empire)|Imperial Diet]] and to the [[Imperial Circle]]. While Verden, like the neighbouring [[County of Hoya]], was a member of the Westphalian Circle, other adjacent territories, such as the [[Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg]] and the [[Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen]], were part of the [[Lower Saxon Circle]]. At times, the prince-bishops also ruled the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen in [[personal union]]. In order to maintain their two seats in the diets, the states of Bremen and Verden were never formally united in a [[real union]]. The same is true for the collectively governed [[Bremen-Verden|Duchies of Bremen and Verden]] which emerged in 1648 from the two secularised prince-bishoprics.
Since the [[Investiture Controversy]] in the 11th and 12th century the [[cathedral chapter]]s used to elect the Catholic bishops in the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. Thus Verden prince-bishopric was an [[elective monarchy]] of [[imperial immediacy]] within the Empire, with the monarch being the respective bishop usually elected by the chapter and confirmed by the Holy See, or exceptionally only appointed by the Holy See, which happened in increasing frequency in Verden. Papally confirmed bishops were then invested by the emperor with the princely [[regalia]], thus the title prince-bishop.

In the early 13th century the Pope was increasingly involved by the local prince-bishops in regional affairs. From the 14th century it was hardly possible to hold out against the papal commission, which led to a strengthening of the influence of the [[cathedral chapter]]; whilst many prince-bishops were now seen as ''Landfremde'' or alien, who lacked local support because they were not elected by the chapter but only appointed by the pope.

⚫
From the early 16th century the prince-bishopric belonged to the [[Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle]] (colloquially: ''Westphalian Circle''), a fiscal and military subsection of the empire. Verden sent its representatives to the ''diets'' of the empire and the [[Imperial Circle]]. At times the prince-bishops ruled in [[personal union]] the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen. In order to maintain the two seats in the diets the sees of Bremen and Verden were never formally united in a [[real union]]. The same is true for the collectively governed [[Bremen-Verden|Duchies of Bremen and Verden]] which emerged in 1648 from the secularised two prince-bishoprics.

Around 890 AD the [[cathedral chapter]] was able to effect a separation of their estate from that of the bishop, under the law of property. From 1275, it was fixed at 16 members, of whom the five eldest were responsible for ordination of priests, the five middle ones the appointment of deacons and the five youngest the appointment of sub-deacons. The [[provost (religion)|provost]] of [[St. John's Church, Lüneburg|St. John's]] in [[Lüneburg]] was the 16th member and, as such, had a special status. Its members supplemented the chapter, whose dignitaries included the [[provost (religion)|provost]], [[dean (church)|dean]], [[scholaster]], [[cellarer]], [[cantor (church)|cantor]] and ''[[church treasure|treasurer]]'', independently. Towards the end of the 15th century, there were no fewer than 48 [[cathedral vicar]]s (''Domvikaren''), led by the two [[episcopal vicar]]s.

Several of the eight [[archdeacon]]s were incorporated into the cathedral chapter.

While the Prince-Bishopric of Verden belonged, like the neighbouring [[County of Hoya]], to the Westphalian Circle, other adjacent territories such as the [[Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg]] and [[Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen]] were part of the [[Lower Saxon Circle]], albeit ecclesiastically having a share in the Verden diocese. Verden's secular territory in those days roughly covered what is now the eastern part of the [[Landkreis Verden|county of Verden]], the southern part of the [[Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme)|county of Rotenburg]] and parts of the county of [[Heidekreis]].


=== The Reformation ===
=== The Reformation ===
From 1558, a gradual change of confession to Lutheranism took place across the Verden diocesan area at different speeds depending on whether its secular rulers promoted or inhibited the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]]. Within Verden's secular territory, the actual Hochstift, the Reformation was concluded with the enactment of a [[Kirchenordnung|church ordinance]] by [[Diocesan administrator#Administrators of prince-bishoprics|Administrator]] Eberhard von Holle, in 1568. In 1630, during the [[Thirty Years' War]], a Roman Catholic bishop, [[Francis of Wartenberg]], took over again as a consequence of the [[Edict of Restitution]], but was only able to hold office until 1634. Thereafter, the Roman Catholic church was only represented there by the [[Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Germany|Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Missions]].
From 1558, a gradual change of confession to Lutheranism took place across the Verden diocesan. Within the hochstift, the Reformation was concluded with the enactment of a [[Kirchenordnung|church ordinance]] by [[Diocesan administrator#Administrators of prince-bishoprics|Administrator]] Eberhard von Holle, in 1568. In 1630, during the [[Thirty Years' War]], a Catholic bishop, [[Francis of Wartenberg]], took over again as a consequence of the [[Edict of Restitution]], but was only able to hold office until 1634. Thereafter, the Catholic Church was only represented there by the [[Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Germany|Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Missions]].

=== Principality of Verden ===
⚫
In 1648 the bishopric was finally secularised as a result of the [[Peace of Westphalia]]. It became a principality and was transferred to the Swedish crown, whereby the existence of the ''Stift'' and the bishopric came to an end. It lasted from 1648 to 1712, with a break from 1675 to 1679, ruled together in [[personal union]] with the territory of the former [[Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen]] as the ''Duchies of Bremen and Verden'' (formally the Duchy of Bremen and Principality of Verden) with their capital in [[Stade]]. For the further history see: [[Bremen-Verden]].

In the [[Swedish-Brandenburg War]] from 1675 to 1676, Verden was conquered in a [[Bremen-Verden Campaign|campaign]] by several states of the Holy Roman Empire and Denmark and remained in allied hands until the end of the war in 1679.

In 1712, [[History of Denmark|Denmark]] conquered the state, but sold it in 1715 to the [[Electorate of Hanover]].

With the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the Principality of Verden lost its importance as an [[Imperial Estate]] (''Reichsstand''). After its occupation and annexation during the Napoleonic Wars, it went to the [[Kingdom of Hanover]] following France's defeat. In 1823, the Principality of Verden was formally dissolved and turned into a Hanoverian administrative unit, ''[[Landdrostei Stade]]'', along with the Duchy of Bremen and [[Land Hadeln]], but with a participation in the administration of the estates of Verden, Bremen and Hadeln that still existed. In 1864, the first two were merged into the "Region of the Duchies of Bremen and Verden" (''[[Landschaft der Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden]]'') by a Hanoverian act and their area of responsibility redefined.


=== Disestablishment ===
The new ''Landrostei'' became part of the [[Province of Hanover]] which was annexed by [[Prussia]] in 1866. On 1 April 1885, ''Landdrostei Stade'' was renamed ''[[Regierungsbezirk Stade]]'' in accordance with normal Prussian administrative practice. In 1946, the [[State of Hanover]] became part of the new post-war West German state of [[Lower Saxony]], ''Regierungsbezirk Stade'' continuing to exist until 31 January 1978. Today, the territory of the former duchies of Bremen and Verden is only reflected in the [[Stade Regional Association]] and the Region of the Duchies of Bremen and Verden which, today, has the responsibility for territorially defined public fire insurance as part of [[VGH Insurance]].
⚫
In 1648, by the terms of the [[Peace of Westphalia]], the state was disestablished. In its place, a principality of the Empire was established that was ruled by the Swedish crown. The Principality of Verden was in turn disestablished in 1712. During this period, the principality was ruled in [[personal union]] with the territory of the former [[Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen]]; they were informally known as the ''Duchies of [[Bremen-Verden]]'' or more formally the "Duchy of Bremen and Principality of Verden".


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 111: Line 91:
{{Wikisource|Verden}}
{{Wikisource|Verden}}
* Gesellschaft für die Geschichte des Bistums Verden e.V.: ''Bistum Verden, 770 bis 1648'', Editions du Signe 2001, {{ISBN|2-7468-0384-4}}
* Gesellschaft für die Geschichte des Bistums Verden e.V.: ''Bistum Verden, 770 bis 1648'', Editions du Signe 2001, {{ISBN|2-7468-0384-4}}
* Bernd Kappelhoff, Thomas Vogtherr: ''Immunität und Landesherrschaft, Beiträge zur Geschichte des Bistums Verden'', [http://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden], Stade 2002, {{ISBN|3-931879-09-7}}
* Bernd Kappelhoff, Thomas Vogtherr: ''Immunität und Landesherrschaft, Beiträge zur Geschichte des Bistums Verden'', [http://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809235020/https://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html |date=2020-08-09 }}, Stade 2002, {{ISBN|3-931879-09-7}}
* Thomas Vogtherr: ''Chronicon episcoporum Verdensium, Die Chronik der Verdener Bischöfe'', [http://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden], Stade 1997, {{ISBN|3-931879-03-8}}
* Thomas Vogtherr: ''Chronicon episcoporum Verdensium, Die Chronik der Verdener Bischöfe'', [http://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809235020/https://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html |date=2020-08-09 }}, Stade 1997, {{ISBN|3-931879-03-8}}
* Arend Mindermann: ''Urkundenbuch der Bischöfe und des Domkapitels von Verden'', Band 1, Von den Anfängen bis 1300, [http://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden], Stade 2001, {{ISBN|3-931879-07-0}}
* Arend Mindermann: ''Urkundenbuch der Bischöfe und des Domkapitels von Verden'', Band 1, Von den Anfängen bis 1300, [http://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809235020/https://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html |date=2020-08-09 }}, Stade 2001, {{ISBN|3-931879-07-0}}
* Arend Mindermann: ''Urkundenbuch der Bischöfe und des Domkapitels von Verden'', Band 2, 1300–1380, [http://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden], Stade 2004, {{ISBN|3-931879-15-1}}
* Arend Mindermann: ''Urkundenbuch der Bischöfe und des Domkapitels von Verden'', Band 2, 1300–1380, [http://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809235020/https://www.landschaftsverband-stade.de/html/schriftenreihe.html |date=2020-08-09 }}, Stade 2004, {{ISBN|3-931879-15-1}}


== References ==
== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Verden (State)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Verden (State)}}
[[Category:Prince-bishoprics of the Holy Roman Empire in Germany]]
[[Category:Prince-Bishopric of Verden]]
[[Category:Verden (district)]]
[[Category:Verden (district)]]
[[Category:Historical regions in Germany]]
[[Category:Historical regions in Germany]]
[[Category:Bremen-Verden]]
[[Category:Bremen-Verden]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1648]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1648]]
[[Category:Former monarchies of Europe]]
[[Category:1648 disestablishments in the Holy Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Prince-bishoprics of the Holy Roman Empire in Germany|Verden]]

Latest revision as of 14:21, 9 December 2024

Prince-Bishopric of Verden
Principality of Verden
(Hoch)Stift Verden (1180–1648)
1180–1648
Coat of arms of Verden
Coat of arms
The territory of Verden (pink, below right) around 1655
The territory of Verden (pink, below right) around 1655
StatusState of the Holy Roman Empire
CapitalVerden (seat of chapter),
Rotenburg (residence of pr.-bishops since 1195)¹
Common languagesGerman, Low German
Religion
Catholic Church till the 1550s, then Lutheranism
GovernmentPrincipality
Ruler 
• 1395–1398
Prince-Bishop Dietrich
• 1398–1399
Prince-Bishop Conrad II
• 1623–29, 1635–45
Administrator Frederick II
• 1630–1631
Prince-Bishop Francis
• 1631–1634
Admin. John Frederick
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Break-up of Saxony
1180
15 May 1648
Area
1806[1]730 km2 (280 sq mi)
Population
• 1806[1]
20,000
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Duchy of Saxony
Kingdom of Westphalia
1: Rotenburg castle was built in 1195, this may have been when the diocese had effectively acquired territorial power as prince-bishopric.

The Prince-Bishopric of Verden (German: Fürstbistum Verden, Hochstift Verden or Stift Verden) was an ecclesiastical principality of the Holy Roman Empire that was located in what is today the state of Lower Saxony in Germany. Verden had been a diocese of the Catholic Church since the middle of the 8th century. The state was disestablished in 1648. The territory was managed by secular lords on behalf of the Bishop of Verden. As a Prince-Bishopric of the Empire, the territory of the state was not identical with that of the bishopric, but was located within its boundaries and made up about a quarter of the diocesan area. By the terms of the Peace of Westphalia, the Prince-Bishopric was disestablished and a new entity was established, the Duchies of Bremen and Verden.

Location

[edit]

The territory of the Prince-Bishopric of Verden covered the eastern part of the present district of Verden (its border ran between Langwedel and Etelsen), and the southern part of the district of Rotenburg (Wümme) and parts of the districts of Harburg and the Heath district (Heidekreis).

History

[edit]

Foundation

[edit]

The Diocese of Verden was founded around 800 in Verden upon Aller as a suffragan in the ecclesiastical province of Mainz. When the old Duchy of Saxony was carved up in 1180, some of the territory around the Sturnmigau' was erected as a state in Imperial immediacy. The Bishop of Verden, in addition to his spiritual duties, was, ex officio, the temporal ruler of the Prince-Bishopric of Verden. The first Prince-Bishop — Tammo of Verden — ruled an area that was about a quarter of the extent of the diocesan territory. In 1195 Prince-Bishop Rudolph I founded the castle of Rotenburg upon Wümme as a stronghold against the neighbouring Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen. Later the castle took on the function of a prince-episcopal Residenz.

The bishops, and hence the prince-bishops, were elected by the cathedral chapter. However, the papacy tried to influence the elections and sometimes succeeded in getting their candidates elected. Such candidates, who were usually not local men, did not enjoy local support and were seen as Landfremde or alien.

From the early 16th century the prince-bishopric belonged to the Lower Rhenish–Westphalian Circle (colloquially: Westphalian Circle), a fiscal and military subsection of the empire. Verden sent its representatives to the Imperial Diet and to the Imperial Circle. While Verden, like the neighbouring County of Hoya, was a member of the Westphalian Circle, other adjacent territories, such as the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg and the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen, were part of the Lower Saxon Circle. At times, the prince-bishops also ruled the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen in personal union. In order to maintain their two seats in the diets, the states of Bremen and Verden were never formally united in a real union. The same is true for the collectively governed Duchies of Bremen and Verden which emerged in 1648 from the two secularised prince-bishoprics.

The Reformation

[edit]

From 1558, a gradual change of confession to Lutheranism took place across the Verden diocesan. Within the hochstift, the Reformation was concluded with the enactment of a church ordinance by Administrator Eberhard von Holle, in 1568. In 1630, during the Thirty Years' War, a Catholic bishop, Francis of Wartenberg, took over again as a consequence of the Edict of Restitution, but was only able to hold office until 1634. Thereafter, the Catholic Church was only represented there by the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Missions.

Disestablishment

[edit]

In 1648, by the terms of the Peace of Westphalia, the state was disestablished. In its place, a principality of the Empire was established that was ruled by the Swedish crown. The Principality of Verden was in turn disestablished in 1712. During this period, the principality was ruled in personal union with the territory of the former Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen; they were informally known as the Duchies of Bremen-Verden or more formally the "Duchy of Bremen and Principality of Verden".

See also

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
  • Gesellschaft für die Geschichte des Bistums Verden e.V.: Bistum Verden, 770 bis 1648, Editions du Signe 2001, ISBN 2-7468-0384-4
  • Bernd Kappelhoff, Thomas Vogtherr: Immunität und Landesherrschaft, Beiträge zur Geschichte des Bistums Verden, Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden Archived 2020-08-09 at the Wayback Machine, Stade 2002, ISBN 3-931879-09-7
  • Thomas Vogtherr: Chronicon episcoporum Verdensium, Die Chronik der Verdener Bischöfe, Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden Archived 2020-08-09 at the Wayback Machine, Stade 1997, ISBN 3-931879-03-8
  • Arend Mindermann: Urkundenbuch der Bischöfe und des Domkapitels von Verden, Band 1, Von den Anfängen bis 1300, Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden Archived 2020-08-09 at the Wayback Machine, Stade 2001, ISBN 3-931879-07-0
  • Arend Mindermann: Urkundenbuch der Bischöfe und des Domkapitels von Verden, Band 2, 1300–1380, Schriftenreihe des Landschaftsverbandes der ehemaligen Herzogtümer Bremen und Verden Archived 2020-08-09 at the Wayback Machine, Stade 2004, ISBN 3-931879-15-1

References

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  1. ^ Köbler, Gerhard: "Historisches Lexikon der deutschen Länder. Die deutschen Territorien vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart", Munich 1995, page 650

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