Borgholzhausen

The beginnings of the shire of Ravensberg

Anyone who thinks of a state today has a clearly defined territory with precisely defined borders in mind. In addition, a constitution, administrations, legislative bodies and courts as well as democratic structures characterize our idea of modern statehood. In the Middle Ages, all of these aspects are barely recognizable; we can only speak of statehood to a limited extent. Rule once functioned very differently. There were no precisely defined borders, nor did medieval territories have a sophisticated administrative or bureaucratic apparatus. The exercise of rule was closely linked to the personality of the respective ruler. In addition, medieval rule was largely based on the availability of landed property; anyone who owned extensive estates usually also owned numerous vassals who were obliged to provide services and pay taxes. At the same time, the ruler could pass these subjects on to followers, while in the event of conflict he was assured of loyalty and support. Personal contacts and connections therefore played an important role during the Middle Ages that should hardly be underestimated.

All of this also applies to the formation of the County of Ravensberg, which gradually took shape from the 11th century onwards. in 1070, Count Hermann von Calvelage, a native of the Vechta region, married Ethelinde von Northeim, daughter of an important Saxon noble family. While Hermann brought his parental estates into the marriage, Ethelinde also received a rich dowry, namely land in the area between the episcopal cities of Osnabrück and Minden. The couple built a fortress on a ridge in the Teutoburg Forest: Ravensberg Castle. From then on, their descendants and heirs named themselves after this castle and the dynasty of the Counts of Ravensberg was established. The first beginnings of the County of Ravensberg can therefore be traced back to the second half of the 11th century. However, several more centuries passed before this territory took on its later expansion, before fixed borders and tentative administrative structures gradually emerged. And at that time, there was still no question of a comprehensive court system. These were therefore modest beginnings that have little in common with our modern understanding of statehood.

Borgholzhausen

The beginnings of the shire of Ravensberg

The Ravensberg castle ruins

Borgholzhausen

The beginnings of the shire of Ravensberg

Ethelinde of Northeim

In the beginning was Ethelinde of Northeim. The daughter of a good family married Count Hermann I of Calvelage in 1070. Her parental dowry formed the basis for the establishment of a new dominion in the area between the bishoprics of Osnabrück and Minden in the Teutoburg Forest: the County of Ravensberg.