Stadt and Herrlichkeit Moers

Herrlichkeiten Friemersheim, Ossenberg & Niederbudberg

The County/Principality of Moers consisted of several noncontiguous sections, dominated by a northern section around Moers itself and a southern section around Krefeld. The northern section, in turn, is dominated by the Herrlichkeiten of Moers (north of the modern Autobahn 40) and Friemersheim (south of Autobahn 40), with the exclave of Ossenberg further north. Another northern exclave—Niederbudberg—was actually a condominium between Moers and the Archbishopric of Cologne.

 

Moers was founded in the 9th century, but the name applied to various areas that eventually fell outside of the city that was recognized in 1300. The Herrlichkeit that grew up around it consisted of the core “Honschaft” (which excluded the Stadt itself) and six surrounding parishes. There is some evidence that those parishes were also seats of courts prior to 1749, but for now I am ignoring them when constructing place names.

 

Friemersheim was also settled on the left back of the Rhein in the 9th century. It was originally under the jurisdiction of Werden Abbey. The County of Moers was granted administrative responsibilities in 1366 and assumed sovereignty in 1392. The resulting Herrlichkeit consisted of three parishes.

 

Ossenberg castle was constructed in the 12th century and was the seat of its own independent lordship. When the noble line died out, sovereignty passed to Moers in 1351. The lordship’s territory consisted of a single village.