Stadt and Amt Kleve
Kleve was founded on the left bank of the Rhein near the current border with the Netherlands in the 13th century (near a castle that dates from the 10th century), receiving city rights in 1242. It became the seat of both a “Landdrostenamt” (with the “Landdrosten” prefix bestowing greater prestige than a regular Amt) and a lower-level “Richteramt”—one of ten within the Landdrostenamt.
In 1753, the Landdrostenamt was replaced by a much larger “Kreis” and the Richteramt was converted to a regular Amt. Stadt Kleve, which had been considered part of the Richteramt, was not included in the new Amt Kleve.
Subdivision structure as of 1521 Subdivision structure as of 1794
List of villages in Richteramt Kleve
- Donsbrüggen 1521 - 1753
- Hau 1521 - 1753
- Kleve [Rheinland] 1521 - 1753
- Materborn 1521 - 1753
- Rindern 1521 - 1753
List of villages in Stadt and Amt Kleve
- Donsbrüggen 1753 - 1794
- Hau 1753 - 1794
- Kleve [Rheinland] 1753 - 1794
- Materborn 1753 - 1794
- Rindern 1753 - 1794
All of the above places were part of the Duchy of Cleves (the English rendition of Kleve) throughout the period between 1521 and 1794.
Master list of countries and subdivisions in the Kleve region