Stadt and Amt Straelen

Stadt and Amt Wachtendonk

Herrlichkeit Walbeck

Straelen was probably founded in the 10th century, became part of the County of Guelders in 1118, and was granted city rights in 1428. The Amt that grew up around it corresponded roughly to the modern Gemeinde of Straelen. The Abbot of Siegburg held certain administrative rights, but not enough to warrant noting in the database.

 

Wachtendonk was probably founded in the 12th century as part of the County of Guelders and was granted city rights in 1343. An Amt (frequently a hereditary Herrlichkeit) was established in Wachtendonk in 1407, but it controlled very little territory. Wachtendonk was independent of Guelders for a short period in the 15th century, then was pledged to Cleves off and on until 1503. Between 1578 and 1588 and again between 1600 and 1605, Wachtendonk was occupied by Netherlandic troops (which, like most temporary occupations, I ignore). Between 1543 and 1713, the Herrlichkeit was owned by parties based outside of Guelders. Nevertheless, those owners were Habsburg subjects, so the country name is not affected. After 1713, when Prussia assumed sovereignty, the owners seem not to have been Prussian subjects. Because my primary source (which covers the Prussian period) characterizes Wachtendonk as an Amt rather than a Herrlichkeit, however, I ignore the ownership factor when constructing the country name.

 

Walbeck parish split off from Straelen in the 11th century and eventually became a Herrlichkeit—a status that persisted into the Prussian era.