Amt Stickhausen

Amt Stickhausen was one of the administrative districts (Ämter) of the County of East Frisia and, after 1654, of the Principality of East Frisia. Named after Stickhausen Castle (Burg Stickhausen), it served as an administrative district of the House of Cirksena throughout the early modern period.Hans-Michael Heise: Die bewaffneten Ostfriesen in der Grafen- und Fürstenzeit. Eine Abhandlung über die praktizierte Aufgebots-Wehrverfassung, pp. 16-18. The Amt occupied the south-eastern part of East Frisia and comprised the Vogtei Filsum and the Vogtei Backemoor. In 1535, the former district of (Up-)Lengen was incorporated into the Amt, becoming a permanent part of its territory. The Amt remained in existence until the administrative reforms of the Kingdom of Holland in 1808, when it was replaced by the Arrondissement Stickhausen.Tileman D. Wiarda, Neueste Ostfriesische Geschichte, Band 12: 1806–1813, p. 474.

History

Origins

The origins of the Amt Stickhausen were closely connected with Stickhausen Castle, from which the district derived its name. By the beginning of the sixteenth century the castle had already become one of the principal frontier fortresses of the County of East Frisia. At the outbreak of the Saxon Feud, Count Edzard I of East Frisia strengthened the fortress and had it reinforced with a large defensive tower, demonstrating its strategic importance for the defence of the south-eastern frontier of the county.Tileman D. Wiarda, Ostfriesische Geschichte, Band 2: 1441–1540, pp. 239–241.

Saxon Feud

The Saxon Feud marked the first major conflict in which Stickhausen assumed a prominent role. After Aurich had been burned to the ground in May 1514, Duke Henry IV of Brunswick-Lüneburg decided not to besiege the strongly fortified castle of Aurich. Instead, the allied forces marched towards Stickhausen, whose capture would secure control over the south-western approaches to East Frisia. Before the war, Count Edzard I had strengthened the fortress and provided it with a substantial tower. The allied army established two camps before the castle: the ducal troops encamped near Filsum, while the contingents from Oldenburg, Harlingerland and Jever occupied positions near Detern. From these camps the fortress was attacked from both sides and subjected to heavy artillery fire. According to the account preserved by Eggerik Beninga, the defenders successfully resisted several assaults before the attackers threatened to force captive women and children into the moat during a final assault. The garrison subsequently negotiated terms that allowed it to withdraw with its arms before surrendering the fortress on 27 May 1514. Following the capture of Stickhausen, the allied army advanced against Uplengen, which capitulated shortly afterwards. When the main invading force withdrew from East Frisia, permanent garrisons remained in the captured fortresses, ensuring continued allied control over these strategic positions. After returning from Groningen later that year, Count Edzard attempted to recover the fortress. Together with Ulrich of Dornum, he invested Stickhausen and sought to force its surrender by blockade. The siege formed part of Edzard's wider campaign to regain the fortresses lost during the invasion. Tileman D. Wiarda, Ostfriesische Geschichte, Band 2: 1441–1540, pp. 269–270. Although Edzard I failed to recapture Stickhausen by force in 1514, the fortress did not remain permanently in Brunswick hands. After Uplengen and Friedeburg had been surrendered, Stickhausen remained the only East Frisian fortress still occupied by the dukes of Brunswick. As the maintenance of the isolated stronghold proved costly and Edzard had meanwhile been reconciled with the Emperor, negotiations were resumed. The resulting Treaty of Zetel, concluded on 3 December, provided for the restoration of Stickhausen to Count Edzard. In return, he agreed to restore the artillery and ammunition captured at Stickhausen and Friedeburg and to pay 8,000 Rhenish guilders as compensation.Tileman D. Wiarda, Ostfriesische Geschichte, Band 2: 1441–1540, pp. 306–307.

The struggle between Edzard II and Johan II

The Amt Stickhausen again assumed an important role during the dynastic conflict between Count Edzard II and his younger brother Count Johan II, which divided East Frisia during the late sixteenth century. Stickhausen became one of the principal points of contention in the negotiations concerning the partition of authority within the county.Onno Klopp, Geschichte Ostfrieslands, Band II: 1570–1751, pp. 55–56. Following prolonged mediation by imperial commissioners, an agreement was reached that was confirmed by Emperor Rudolf II on 10 February 1589. Under the terms of the imperial decree, Count Johan was to retain possession of the Ämter of Leer, Greetsiel, and Stickhausen for the remainder of his lifetime. In return, Count Edzard II was required to vacate these districts and to pay his brother an annual sum of 2,000 thalers from the revenues of the Emden tolls. The decree further provided for the establishment of a common treasury and a Hofgericht, while future Landtage were to be convened jointly in the names of both brothers. Although the settlement temporarily resolved the territorial dispute, its implementation proved difficult. According to Onno Klopp, Edzard delayed carrying out the agreement, and the political situation within the county remained largely unchanged for some time after the imperial decree had been issued. The arrangement came to an end with the death of Count Johan in 1591. Upon receiving news of his brother's death, Count Edzard travelled personally to Stickhausen and took possession of the fortress. With Johan's death, the Ämter of Leer, Greetsiel, and Stickhausen returned to the direct administration of the ruling count, restoring the territorial unity of the county under Edzard II.Tileman D. Wiarda, Ostfriesische Geschichte, Band 3: 1540–1611, pp. 216.

Wars of the seventeenth century

Throughout the seventeenth century, Stickhausen Castle remained one of the principal frontier fortresses of East Frisia. Owing to its strategic position on the south-eastern border of the county, the fortress repeatedly served as a military stronghold during periods of political instability and foreign intervention.Tileman D. Wiarda, Ostfriesische Geschichte, Band 4: 1611–1648, pp. 205–206. During the Mansfeld invasion of 1622–1624, the fortress formed part of the defensive network occupied by foreign troops. After the withdrawal of the Mansfeld forces in 1624, the fortresses of Esens, Wittmund, Greetsiel, Friedeburg, and Stickhausen were reoccupied by garrisons of the East Frisian Estates. These garrisons remained in place to secure the county against renewed military threats.

The strategic importance of Stickhausen again became apparent during the growing tensions with the Prince-Bishopric of Münster. In 1671, Drost Eck, commander of the fortress, warned of the danger of a surprise attack. At the request of Princess Christine Charlotte, the garrison was reinforced with forty-five soldiers from Emden. Shortly afterwards, the Estates of East Frisia approved a further reinforcement of the fortress and agreed to finance the repair and improvement of its fortifications from the provincial treasury.Tileman D. Wiarda, Ostfriesische Geschichte, Band 6: 1668–1714, pp. 17–18. Military preparations continued during the following year. The garrison was further strengthened, while the fortifications were repaired in anticipation of a possible invasion. These measures reflected the continued military significance of Stickhausen as one of the principal defensive positions protecting East Frisia.

Drosts and amtmen

Drosts

Term of office Year of death Name 1433* – Hoesche, Vogt 1466* – Reindsna (Reynda), Popko, Hauptmann zu Stickhausen, Vogt zu Detern 1473*–1486 1486 Haje (Haye, Hayo), gen. "Lange Haye" 1493*–1511* – Loringa, Otto Papen 1514, 1515* – Beer, Warner, Drost zu Stickhausen, Knipens und Friedeburg 1520*–1533 – Baerts, Wendel (Houtrouw I, p. 177) 1554–1564* – von Lengen (von Frese), Bolo (Bohle, Boel, Daale, Doale) 1587* 1570 von Lengen, Bernd 1587* – Drile, Casper, Drost (Abel Eppens II, p. 578; probably identical with Amtmann Caspar von Viele, 1585*?; see below) 1590* – von Schaumburg, Jost (J. H. D. Möhlmann) 1591–1599 – von Haseborg, Menno, Kommandant zu Stickhausen 1599 ff. – von Kittlitz (Kidlitz), Ernst 1604–1607 (?) 1609 Crumminga, Cirk 1607–1615 1636 von Hame sen., Jost 1619 1619 von Knyphausen, Dodo – – Lorinça, Emo 1620 – von Geldern, Geriet (Wiarda IV, p. 134) 1621 ff.–1637 1634 Hayunga, Ubben (Ulben), later Drost in Norden 1637 1637 von Hane jun., Jost 1637 1652 von Diepenbrock, Johann Franz, former Drost in Norden 1638–1647 – Scheffert, Wilhelm, gen. Weiswyler (Wisweiler) 1648–1661 1666 von Wersabe, Gerd Hinrich 1661–1685 1696 von Eck, Michael, earlier Drost zu Friedeburg 1685–1693 1693 von Bruns, Heinrich Lambert, former Drost zu Friedeburg 1693–1724 1724 von Harling, Christian Ludwig Günther 1724–1754 1754 de Lamy du Pont, Charles

Amtmen

Term of office Year of death Name 1546*–1555* 1591 Aytken(s), Eilard (Eilardus Eilardi), Amtsschreiber, later Amtmann zu Berum 1583*–1588* – Schwarze (Swarte), Georg, former Amtmann and/or Amtsschreiber in Norden 1585* – von Viele, Caspar (Bartels IV, 3, p. 54; according to J. H. D. Möhlmann: active until after 1568; probably identical with Drost Caspar Drile?, 1587***) (1589?), 1591* ca. 1636 Huntel, Johann, Amtmann, former Secretary of Count Johann in Leerort 1592* – Cloppenburg, Hermann, Amtsschreiber, former Amtsschreiber in Aurich 1592 (?), before 1601 – Harckens, Johann, Amtmann 1598* – von Grönen, Hermann, Amtmann 1606–1608 before 1620 Forstius (Vorstius), Nikolaus, 1611*–12* tax collector to Greetsiel (1608)–1610 1612 Friese, Franz, until 1608 Amtmann in Emden 1615–1616 – Gnaphaus, Albrecht (J. H. D. Möhlmann), then Amtmann in Berum (1611–?), 1627*–1648 1680 Westenesch, Hermann, former Amtmann in Pewsum before 1658 – Ellebrecht, Eilhard, Dr., Amtmann, 1658 Swedish town bailiff of Bremen (J. H. D. Möhlmann) 1651–1653 – Freitag, Johann Adolf, later Amtmann in Greetsiel 1655–1660 1660 Ludewig, Johann 1660–1676 1698 Bolenius, Christian, Dr., later Kanzlei- and Justizrat 1677–1680 – Zernemann, Mathias, Dr. 1682–1686 1686 Bley, Heinrich, Dr. 1687–1694 – Hüpeden, Bernhard 1694–1705 1705 Volcmarus, Georg Christian, Dr. 1705–1709 1709 Witkopp, Christian Hinrich 1709–1731 1740 Stürenburg, Johann Diedrich, Dr. 1731–1755 1755 Ortgiese, Ricklef Johann Gerhard, Dr.

An asterisk (*) indicates that the officeholder is attested in the sources for the specified year; however, the year does not necessarily mark the beginning or end of the individual's term of office.

Amt Stickhausen

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