Amt Varel

Varel was originally settle by Frisians, but was claimed by Oldenburg in the 15th century and became the seat of an Amt. The Amt was assigned to the spin-off county of Delmenhorst in 1577 as an exclave, and it remained there until Delmenhorst reverted to Oldenburg in 1647.

 

In 1654, the Amt, although still under Oldenburg sovereignty, was acquired by the Count of Aldenburg—an illegitimate son of the Count of Oldenburg—who eventually became sovereign over the Lordship of Kniphausen. When Denmark took over the County of Oldenburg in 1667, its reach did not initially extend to Amt Varel, which spent 13 years as an integral part of Kniphausen. In 1680, however, the Count of Aldenburg died and Denmark occupied all of his lands that had been under Oldenburg sovereignty prior to 1667. In a 1693 treaty, the Count’s son had to relinquish his claim to most of his territories, but retained administrative responsibility for Amt Varel. The Amt continued to be administered by the Lord of Kniphausen (who actually ruled from Varel) until it was occupied by France in 1811.