Imagine a place where the echoes of ancient gatherings still resonate. That place is Benthe. This suburb of Ronnenberg boasts a history stretching back millennia. Evidence suggests a Stone Age settlement thrived here. Archaeological digs in 2004 unearthed a 2000-year-old Germanic settlement. Benthe’s story is etched in the very land beneath our feet.
Benthe’s name itself speaks of its past. It means “settlement near a court”. The village served as a court site within the Go Gehrden region. Historical records from 1359 mention this court site. This provides the backdrop for the legend of the Sieben Trappen or Seven Steps.
Benthe appears in historical records shortly after the fall of Henry the Lion in 1183. The village court belonged to the Welfen dukes after 1420. Richter Heneke Grymeselle administered the court for over 40 years. He acted on behalf of the dukes.
The von Benthe noble family took their name from this place. This highlights the village’s antiquity. Family names became common in the early 12th century. The family likely held the main estate here. They seemed to have lost it early on. The estate was probably given to the church. Its land can be seen in the three Meierhöfen. The Abbess of Wunstorf managed them.
Around 1585, Hans Nische managed a farm in Devese. It belonged to the von Benthe family. They collected the Hofzins or farm interest. Burghardt von Benthe was likely the last of his line. His gravestone stands by the Kreuzkirche tower. He was born in 1585 and died in 1642. The family’s coat of arms featured a unicorn.
In 1585, Benthe’s population included six Meierleuten. There were also three Halbspänner and 19 Köthner. Twelve Häuslinge lived here including the village shepherd. Even a servant of the von Lenthe family was listed. Hans Beerborn was away at war. In total, there were 41 names. Only the bloodline of Meier Cord Schmedes continues to this day.
Benthe’s location near a major city has changed its character. By 1985, only seven farms remained. Two of them had more than 100 Morgen of land. Many small farm owners became tradespeople. There were 39 businesses in the community. The population grew to 1812 residents compared to 925 in 1939.
Benthe’s coat of arms reflects its history. It includes the Sieben Trappen. It also includes the early court site. The extinct noble family is represented too. The coat of arms displays the state colors. The upper part honors the noble family. The bottom symbolizes the court site with the Sieben Trappen legend.
Benthe was affected by the Ronnenberg mining accident on July 24, 1975. The “Schacht Albert” filled with water. Parts of Ronnenberg, Empelde, and Benthe risked sinking into the ground.
Benthe became part of the city of Ronnenberg. The Minister of the Interior of Lower Saxony granted Ronnenberg the title of “city” on December 12, 1975. Since then, Benthe has been a district of Ronnenberg.
As of August 2024, Benthe has about 1,843 residents. They live in approximately 1105 households.
Benthe’s story is a tapestry woven from ancient settlements. It includes noble families and modern growth. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine. It creates a unique identity. Benthe stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of community.