Berum Castle
Encyclopedia
Berum Castle is located in the Berum district the East Frisian town of Hage
. It is one of the most important sites in East Frisian history.
was built. It is first mentioned in a document of 1310, as the seat of a member of the Syrtza (or Sytze) family who was a chieftain
of the Norden
area. It is unknown for how long that family had already resided at this location.
In the 15th Century, the castle was inherited by the Cirksena
family. In 1443, Count Ulrich I
of East Frisia expanded the castle to a château
, consisting of a main castle with three wings, plus a front castle. On 1 June 1445, he celebrated his marriage to Theda Ukena
, the granddaughter of his main rival, Focko Ukena
, in Berum Castle. Ever since then, the castle has played a significant rôle in the history of East Frisia
.
Adolph, the son of Count Gerhard VI of Oldenburg, was held captive at Berum Castle from 1465 to 1481, after Oldenburg had invaded East Frisia.
In the late 16th century, count Edzard II
extended the castle further to a moated castle in Renaissance
style. This extension was completed in 1591 with the construction of a spire. After Edzard's death, his widow, Catherine, a daughter King Gustav I of Sweden
extended the castle further, adding, among other extensions, a chapel. From then on, the castle was used by the Cirksena family as the widow's residence.
On 28 January 1600, the Treaty of Berum
was signed at the castle. Under this treaty, East Frisia purchased the Harlingerland
from the County of Rietberg.
On 17 April 1628, Berum Castle was the scene of a tragic accident. The imperial army under general
Matthias Gallas
had been quartered in the castle. The 26 year old Count Rudolpf Christian
got embroiled in a fight with a fight with a lieutenant
of the imperial army. He was stung in his left eye and died of his wound.
Under Christine Charlotte
, who lived here from 1690 to 1699 as the widow of Prince George Christian
, the castle was again renovated, making Berum one of the most magnificent princely palaces in Germany.
After Prussia
took over East Frisia in 1744, there was no more use for a widow's residence and the castle fell into disrepair. The main castle was demolished in 1764 and the precious furniture was sold off. Until 1764, Berum Castle had had four wings and a heavy rectangular tower on the northwest corner. It was protected by a massive wall and a double ring moat. The parts remaining today are the front castle, a long brick building attached to the defensive wall with a brick gate tower, and the former baroque
gate passage. This portal is flanked by two columns; the pediment
show the coat of arms of Princess Christine Charlotte
. The out wall and the outer moat still exists, and in the south are the remains of the baroque garden of 1712.
Today the facility is privately owned and serves as a guesthouse. For example, Federal President Horst Köhler
spent his summer vacation in 2006 at Berum Castle.
Hage
Hage is a small East Frisian town in Lower Saxony, Germany. Located in the Aurich District close to the North Sea, approx. 5 km east of Norden, Hage has a population of 5,893 as of 31 December 2002...
. It is one of the most important sites in East Frisian history.
History
We can no longer identify exactly when the CastleCastle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
was built. It is first mentioned in a document of 1310, as the seat of a member of the Syrtza (or Sytze) family who was a chieftain
Chieftain
Chieftain may refer to:The leader or head of a group:* a tribal chief or a village head.* a member of the 'House of chiefs'.* a captain, to which 'chieftain' is etymologically related.* Clan chief, the head of a Scottish clan....
of the Norden
Norden, Lower Saxony
Norden is a town in the district of Aurich, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the North Sea shore, in East Frisia.-External links:* *...
area. It is unknown for how long that family had already resided at this location.
In the 15th Century, the castle was inherited by the Cirksena
Cirksena
The Cirksena are noble East Frisian family descended from a line of East Frisian chieftains from Greetsiel.- The Cirksena in East Frisia :In 1439 in the wake of clashes between different lines of chieftains, the town of Emden was first placed by Hamburg under direct rule and then, in 1453, finally...
family. In 1443, Count Ulrich I
Ulrich I, Count of East Frisia
Ulrich I of East Frisia, first count of East Frisia, was a son of the chieftain Enno Edzardisna of Norden and Greetsiel, and Gela of Manslagt....
of East Frisia expanded the castle to a château
Château
A château is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally—and still most frequently—in French-speaking regions...
, consisting of a main castle with three wings, plus a front castle. On 1 June 1445, he celebrated his marriage to Theda Ukena
Theda Ukena
Theda Ukena was from 1466 to about 1480 regent of the County of East Frisia.Theda was the granddaughter and heiress of the chief Focko Ukena and was born in 1432 in Oldersum as the daughter of Uko Fockena and Heba Attena of Dornum. She was probably named after her grandmother Theda of Reide, the...
, the granddaughter of his main rival, Focko Ukena
Focko Ukena
Focko Ukena was an East Frisian chieftain who played an important part in the struggle between the Vetkopers and Schieringers in the provinces of Groningen and Friesland...
, in Berum Castle. Ever since then, the castle has played a significant rôle in the history of East Frisia
East Frisia
East Frisia or Eastern Friesland is a coastal region in the northwest of the German federal state of Lower Saxony....
.
Adolph, the son of Count Gerhard VI of Oldenburg, was held captive at Berum Castle from 1465 to 1481, after Oldenburg had invaded East Frisia.
In the late 16th century, count Edzard II
Edzard II, Count of East Frisia
Edzard II, Count of East Frisia was count of East Frisia, and the son of Enno II of East Frisia and Anna of Oldenburg....
extended the castle further to a moated castle in Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
style. This extension was completed in 1591 with the construction of a spire. After Edzard's death, his widow, Catherine, a daughter King Gustav I of Sweden
Gustav I of Sweden
Gustav I of Sweden, born Gustav Eriksson of the Vasa noble family and later known simply as Gustav Vasa , was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death....
extended the castle further, adding, among other extensions, a chapel. From then on, the castle was used by the Cirksena family as the widow's residence.
On 28 January 1600, the Treaty of Berum
Treaty of Berum
The Treaty of Berum was one a treaty concluded on 28 January 1600 at Berum Castle between the Count Enno III of East Frisia and the County of Rietberg, which regulated the sale of the Harlingerland to East Frisia.- Background :...
was signed at the castle. Under this treaty, East Frisia purchased the Harlingerland
Harlingerland
The Harlingerland is a strip of land on the North Sea coast of East Frisia. Whilst, today, the whole of the district of district of Wittmund is usually described as Harlingerland, historically it is specifically used to refer to the northern part of the present district, which formed the old...
from the County of Rietberg.
On 17 April 1628, Berum Castle was the scene of a tragic accident. The imperial army under general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Matthias Gallas
Matthias Gallas
Matthias Gallas, Graf von Campo und Herzog von Lucera , was an Austrian soldier, who first saw service in Flanders, then in Savoy with the Spaniards, and subsequently joined the forces of the Catholic League as captain during the Thirty Years' War.On the general outbreak of hostilities in Germany,...
had been quartered in the castle. The 26 year old Count Rudolpf Christian
Rudolf Christian, Count of East Frisia
Rudolf Christian of Ostfriesland, Count of East Frisia, was count of East Frisia, and the second son of Enno III of East Frisia and Anna of Holstein-Gottorp. During his reign, foreign troops participating in the Thirty Years' War began retreating into and quartering in East Frisia...
got embroiled in a fight with a fight with a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
of the imperial army. He was stung in his left eye and died of his wound.
Under Christine Charlotte
Christine Charlotte of Württemberg
Christine Charlotte of Württemberg was a princess of Württemberg by birth and a princess consort of East Frisia, married in 1662 to George Christian, Prince of East Frisia. She served as the regent of East Frisia during the minority of her son from 1665 until 1690...
, who lived here from 1690 to 1699 as the widow of Prince George Christian
George Christian, Prince of East Frisia
George Christian was a member of the Cirksena family and succeeded his brother Enno Louis as ruler of East Frisia. He ruled from 1660 to 1665. Under his reign, the Cirksena family acquired on 18 April 1662 the hereditary title of Imperial Prince.George Christian grew up with his brother at the...
, the castle was again renovated, making Berum one of the most magnificent princely palaces in Germany.
After Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
took over East Frisia in 1744, there was no more use for a widow's residence and the castle fell into disrepair. The main castle was demolished in 1764 and the precious furniture was sold off. Until 1764, Berum Castle had had four wings and a heavy rectangular tower on the northwest corner. It was protected by a massive wall and a double ring moat. The parts remaining today are the front castle, a long brick building attached to the defensive wall with a brick gate tower, and the former baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
gate passage. This portal is flanked by two columns; the pediment
Pediment
A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure , typically supported by columns. The gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the cornice moulding...
show the coat of arms of Princess Christine Charlotte
Christine Charlotte of Württemberg
Christine Charlotte of Württemberg was a princess of Württemberg by birth and a princess consort of East Frisia, married in 1662 to George Christian, Prince of East Frisia. She served as the regent of East Frisia during the minority of her son from 1665 until 1690...
. The out wall and the outer moat still exists, and in the south are the remains of the baroque garden of 1712.
Today the facility is privately owned and serves as a guesthouse. For example, Federal President Horst Köhler
Horst Köhler
Horst Köhler is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union. He was President of Germany from 2004 to 2010. As the candidate of the two Christian Democratic sister parties, the CDU and the CSU, and the liberal FDP, Köhler was elected to his first five-year term by the Federal Assembly on...
spent his summer vacation in 2006 at Berum Castle.