Stadt and Amt Goch

Amt Asperden

Herrlichkeiten Nergena & Kessel

Goch was probably founded in the 11th century and granted city rights in the 13th century. It, along with the surrounding Amt and “Niederamt”, was originally part of the County/Duchy of Guelders, but became part of the Duchy of Cleves in 1473. Within Amt Goch were the Richterämter of Goch, Asperden (the former Niederamt Goch), and Weeze (described on a separate page). Herrlichkeit Nergena, which covered much of the “Reichswald” (imperial forest) between Goch and Kranenburg, appears to have had Herrlichkeit status even prior to 1473, when it was transferred from Guelders to Cleves.

 

In 1647, Kessel left Richteramt Asperden to become a Herrlichkeit; in 1649, Gaesdonk left Richteramt Goch to become part of Herrlichkeit Weeze. Pfaltzdorf was first settled in 1741 by migrants from the Rhenisch Palatinate (Pfalz). In 1753, the Richterämter of Goch and Asperden were promoted to full-fledged Ämter and were assigned to Kreis Kleve.

 

          Subdivision structure as of 1521                                        Subdivision structure as of 1794