Markian Germany

The House of Mark branched off from the House of Altena in the late 12th century and was based near Hamm. It’s initial core territory was known as the County of Mark, although a branch also established the County of Arenburg, which survived until 1547. In 1262, Mark absorbed Altena’s territory. The core dynasty survived until 1609, when it’s last male heir died.

 

In 1362, a Markian became Duke of Cleves and in 1392, Mark and Cleves entered into a personal union. Even though the Duke was Markian, Cleves became the anchor country of the personal union because it had a higher rank. In 1521, Jülich, Berg, and Ravensberg also entered the personal union. For five years ending in 1543, two other countries based in the Netherlands were part of the personal union.

 

Mark participated in one condominium—the city of Lippstadt, with which it shared sovereignty with the County of Lippe. Mark administered the city until its line died out. Mark also exercised sovereignty over the Soester Börde, but the city and Börde remained sufficiently autonomous that I create a quasi-county to recognize that.

 

In the following list of countries in Markian Germany, countries and dates outside the chronological scope of the database are shown in italics. Countries outside the geographic scope of the database are show in gray.

 

Mark and countries in personal union with it (including outsourcings)

 

 

Countries independent of Mark

 

  • Lordship/County of Arenburg (1299-1547)
  • County of Cleves (1368-1392)

 

Condominium

 

 

Although the unitalicized territories above were formally joined as the “United Duchies of Jülich-Kleve-Berg” between 1521 and 1614, I nevertheless continue to recognize them as distinct countries and rely on the national designation of “Markian Germany” to acknowledge their unity. Between 1609, when the Markian line died out, and 1614, sovereignty over the former Markian territories was disputed between the Hohenzollerns and the Wittelsbachs. In 1614, Mark (including Soest and Lippstadt), Cleves, and Ravensberg were assigned to Hohenzollern Germany; Jülich and Berg were assigned to Wittelsbachian Germany. During the interim period, I continue to characterize all of the unitalicized territories as Markian Germany.