Here we are at Rothenhausen. What does this place signify? It is a village. The GeoNames geographical database covers all countries. It contains over eleven million placenames that are available for download free of charge.
Rothenhausen is a small place. It is part of a much larger story. This story involves the Hanseatic League and the Free City of Lübeck. Lübeck was once declared a Free Imperial City. Emperor Frederick II made this declaration in 1226. Lübeck law governed the city. This law made cities independent of royalty.
In the 14th century, Lübeck became the Queen of the Hanseatic League. It was the largest and most powerful member. In 1359, Lübeck bought Mölln from Albert V. He was the Duke of Saxe-Bergedorf-Mölln. Lübeck paid 9,737.50 Lübeck marks. This acquisition was important. Mölln was a key point for trade. Salt was traded between Scandinavia and Brunswick and Lunenburg. Lübeck used armed guards in Mölln. They maintained law and order.
In 1370, Lübeck acquired Bergedorf as collateral for a loan. They also got the Vierlande, half the Sachsenwald, and Geesthacht. Duke Eric III provided these. This secured the trade route between Hamburg and Lübeck. In 1401, Eric III died. Eric IV took the lands back without repayment.
In 1420, Eric V attacked Frederick I. Lübeck and Hamburg allied against him. They conquered Bergedorf and other areas. This forced Eric V to sign the Peace of Perleberg. All pawned territories were ceded to Hamburg and Lübeck. The cities jointly ruled these areas.
Lübeck fought several wars against Denmark. They had varying success. Lübeck won in 1435 and 1512. However, Lübeck lost in the Count’s Feud. This was a civil war in Denmark from 1534 to 1536. Lübeck also joined the Schmalkaldic League.
After the Count’s Feud, Lübeck’s power declined. The city remained neutral in the Thirty Years’ War. The Hanseatic League lost importance. Trade shifted across the Atlantic. After 1669, Lübeck remained a trading town on the Baltic Sea.
During the Napoleonic era, Lübeck was occupied. From 1811 to 1813, it was part of the French Empire. In 1813, Lübeck regained its independence. The Congress of Vienna confirmed this in 1815. Lübeck joined the German Confederation. In 1867, it joined the North German Confederation. In 1871, Lübeck became part of the German Empire.
After World War I, Lübeck joined the Weimar Republic. The Nazis seized power. In 1937, Lübeck’s statehood ended. It was incorporated into Schleswig-Holstein. This was part of the Greater Hamburg Act.
Lübeck was occupied by the British Army in World War II. After the war, it became part of Schleswig-Holstein. It was near the inner German border. In 1956, a court upheld this decision. Lübeck’s statehood was not restored.
Today, Lübeck is known for its history. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has many churches and the Holstentor. Lubeck tastes sweet like marzipan. Its history as part of the Hanseatic League shaped its identity. Lübeck’s old town was built on an island.
Rothenhausen may seem like a small village. Yet, it shares in the history of Lübeck. It is connected to the rise and fall of empires. It reminds us that even small places have a story to tell.