Kloster/Herrschaft/Amt Osterholz

Kloster/Amt Lilienthal

(Samt)Gericht (Niederende-)St. Jürgen

The town of Scharmbeck dates to the 11th century and a large subdivision of the Archbishopric of Bremen (characterized as a “Börde”) grew up around it. A monastery and convent (both translated as “Kloster”) were established in nearby Osterholz (in 1182) and Lilienthal (in 1264) respectively. Each exercised secular jurisdiction in its immediate environs and Kloster Osterholz also exercised jurisdiction over Börde Scharmbeck. The Klöster were secularized by Sweden after the Thirty-Years War and their territories were turned over to a Swedish citizen. I characterize the former territory of each Kloster as a Quasi-Börde within the resulting Herrschaft (which included Scharmbeck).

 

In 1692, the Herrschaft’s territories reverted to the Swedish crown and became Amt Osterholz. Gericht Sandbeck was also included in the Amt, although its noble family retained a limited degree of jurisdiction. Lilienthal broke off to form its own Amt in 1733. It was enlarged over time by the reclaiming of marshland, on which many new villages were established.

 

To the south of Amt Osterholz was the noble Gericht of Niederende-St. Jürgen. In 1576, several villages from Kloster Lilienthal, broke off to form Gericht Oberende. I combine the two Gerichte into Samtgericht St. Jürgen. The villages in Gericht Oberende reverted to Amt Lilienthal in 1734.