Archbishopric of Bremen (adm. Peasant Republic of Dithmarschen)

Dithmarschen belonged to the Archbishopric of Bremen beginning in the 12th century, making it part of Ecclesiastical Germany. Because of its geographic isolation (being north of the Elbe River while the rest of the Archbishopric was to the south of the river), Dithmarschen generally exercised a fair amount of autonomy. In 1447, a land law was recorded creating institutions that eventually governed what was called the Peasant Republic of Dithmarschen. Because the Archbishopric still exercised nominal sovereignty over the area, I render the simplified country name as Bremen-Dithmarschen.

 

Denmark made numerous attempts to conquer Dithmarschen militarily, but was consistently defeated. One such defeat occurred in 1500, and I begin the data base there. Finally, in 1559, Denmark’s military efforts were successful, the Peasant Republic was abolished, and Dithmarschen was partitioned among three Danish duchies (see Holstein-Segeberg, Holstein-Gottorp, and Holstein-Hadersleben).