Amt Rethem an der Aller

Amt Ahlden

Rethem an der Aller is located at what was the westernmost point of the Principality of Lüneburg. Around 1300, a castle was built there near where the Principality met the County of Hoya and the Bishopric of Verden. It became the seat of an Amt. (The Amt included Walsrode—the site of a former convent that was converted into its own Amt. However, the geographic reach of Amt Walsrode was so small and scattered that I ignore it.)

 

Slightly to the east of Rethem was territory originally under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Minden. It was acquired by Lüneburg in 1431 and became Amt Ahlden. During most of the 18th century, Rethem and Ahlden were administered together from Ahlden, while retaining their identities.

 

Amt Rethem consisted of four subdivisions—a Hausvogtei, two Gografschaften and an adliches Gericht (mostly administered by the noble landowner). Amt Ahlden was not subdivided. Neither Amt was ever included in a spin-off principality.