Vogtei Jade

The Vry-Jade fortress was built in 1415 to enforce the Count of Oldenburg’s claim to territory at the south end of Jade Bay that was also claimed by Frisians. Oldenburg’s claim was ratified by Treaty in 1517 and Jade became the seat of a Vogtei.

 

In 1655, the Vogtei, 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 Vogtei Jade, 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 surrendered sovereignty over Vogtei Jade to Denmark.

 

During the local government reform instituted by Denmark in 1699, the Amt was placed under Landvogtei Neuenburg. Thus, all of the villages below were part of Landvogtei Neuenburg, Amt Jade between 1699 and 1811.