Uhlenburg
Encyclopedia
Uhlenburg is the site of a lowland castle
that was built in the 14th century close to the River Aller
near Essel
in the German state of Lower Saxony
. This Late Middle Ages
aristocratic seat only existed for a few decades towards the end of the 14th century and was destroyed by force in 1393/94.
and about 1 km north of Buchholz (Aller) in the flood plain of the Aller valley at a height of 25 m above N.N.. The site is located in a loop of the river, about 250 m from the Aller itself. The former castle terrain, like the rest of the wide valley is extensively used as pasture
.
and a large bailey
that adjoined its northern side. The almost square keep was built on a motte
with sides some 30 metres long. Today it only has a height of about 1.5 metres and a pond borders it to the south. In 2004 the banks of the pond were reinforced with stones to prevent erosion. West of the motte a rampart guards the moat. The entire complex was surrounded by a castle moat
and it is possible that the keep and bailey were on islands surrounded by a large area of water. On the eastern side of the motte is a flat depression on an area of 11 x 20 m. An embankment runs from here across the moat, so it can be assumed that this was the entrance. In the pond a row of stakes was found that belonged to the old castle and could have been part of a palisade
.
The terrain of the bailey is slightly raised above the surrounding lowland. It is roughly 100 m long and up to 40 m wide. The whole castle site is surrounding by a narrow stretch of water, which in the west and north could have been a loop in the old course of the River Aller
.
In 2001 the castle site attracted strong interest from archaeologists due to the well-preserved state of its ruins. Since then a comprehensive investigation has been carried out. This included physical inspections of the site, a magnetic survey
, ground resistance measurements and aerial photography
. The results showed that the earth mound of the motte conceals a layer of rubble. Wooden stakes found in the wet soil underground were submitted for dendrochronological dating
and found to date from around 1370-1380. Other finds during the ground inspections were shards of pottery and pieces of roof tile. One exceptional find was the discovery of a seal stamp made of a lead-tin alloy
which portrayed the coat of arms
of the lords of Hademstorf
as the former lords of the castle.
In spite of intensive surveying, a more recent excavation has not been carried out and is not planned. The historic monument can be reserved for future research as the conditions in the wet valley of the Aller are ideal for its preservation.
, whose family line was first mentioned in 1237. In 1372 the brothers Bruno, Johann and Heinrich were recorded as lords of Hademsdorf. Uhlenburg was mentioned in a deed dated 1394. In this, the lords of Hademsdorf complained to the Lüneburg district administrator (Landrat), that the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg Henry I
and Bernard I
had destroyed Uhlenburg, an act which contravened the Lüneburg Treaty (Lüneburger Sate). Presumably the dukes were attacking the local nobility in order to extend their territory and gain control over the toll sites on the River Aller. According to the deed the keep and two ladies chambers were destroyed; other buildings had been saved. In 1410, after his imprisonment, Heinrich von Hademsdorf swore an oath of truce (Urfehde) with Henry I. It is not known if the imprisonment was connected with the destruction of Uhlenburg.
, there is a number of other medieval castles, some of similar design. These fortifications include those in Bierde
, Ahlden (Bunkenburg
), Essel
(Blankenburg Castle
), Hodenhagen
(Hodenhagen Castle
), Rethem and Grethem
(Blankenhagen Castle
).
Uhlenburg belongs to the group of former castles, that were researched between 2003-2005 by the Burgenlandschaft Aller-Leine-Tal (B.A.L.T.) project. The project was supported by the European aid programme LEADER+, because it had located castle sites in the Aller-Leine Valley
area.
52.687517°N 9.666252°E
Lowland castle
The term lowland castle or plains castle describes a type of castle based that is situated on a lowland, plain or valley floor, as opposed to one built on higher ground such as a hill spur...
that was built in the 14th century close to the River Aller
Aller
The Aller is a river, long, in the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony in Germany. It is a right-hand, and hence eastern, tributary of the River Weser and is also its largest tributary. Its last form the Lower Aller federal waterway...
near Essel
Essel
Essel is a municipality in the Heidekreis district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. Most of the village is located on the southern bank of the river Aller. The A 7 motorway runs through the village.-Subdivisions:The municipality of Essel comprises 4 subdivisions:...
in the German state of Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
. This Late Middle Ages
Late Middle Ages
The Late Middle Ages was the period of European history generally comprising the 14th to the 16th century . The Late Middle Ages followed the High Middle Ages and preceded the onset of the early modern era ....
aristocratic seat only existed for a few decades towards the end of the 14th century and was destroyed by force in 1393/94.
Location
The castle site lies roughly a kilometre east of EsselEssel
Essel is a municipality in the Heidekreis district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. Most of the village is located on the southern bank of the river Aller. The A 7 motorway runs through the village.-Subdivisions:The municipality of Essel comprises 4 subdivisions:...
and about 1 km north of Buchholz (Aller) in the flood plain of the Aller valley at a height of 25 m above N.N.. The site is located in a loop of the river, about 250 m from the Aller itself. The former castle terrain, like the rest of the wide valley is extensively used as pasture
Pasture
Pasture is land used for grazing. Pasture lands in the narrow sense are enclosed tracts of farmland, grazed by domesticated livestock, such as horses, cattle, sheep or swine. The vegetation of tended pasture, forage, consists mainly of grasses, with an interspersion of legumes and other forbs...
.
Description
Uhlenburg consisted of a small keepKeep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
and a large bailey
Ward (fortification)
In fortifications, a bailey or ward refers to a courtyard enclosed by a curtain wall. In particular, an early type of European castle was known as a Motte-and-bailey. Castles can have more than one ward. Their layout depends both on the local topography and the level of fortification technology...
that adjoined its northern side. The almost square keep was built on a motte
Motte-and-bailey
A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...
with sides some 30 metres long. Today it only has a height of about 1.5 metres and a pond borders it to the south. In 2004 the banks of the pond were reinforced with stones to prevent erosion. West of the motte a rampart guards the moat. The entire complex was surrounded by a castle moat
Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
and it is possible that the keep and bailey were on islands surrounded by a large area of water. On the eastern side of the motte is a flat depression on an area of 11 x 20 m. An embankment runs from here across the moat, so it can be assumed that this was the entrance. In the pond a row of stakes was found that belonged to the old castle and could have been part of a palisade
Palisade
A palisade is a steel or wooden fence or wall of variable height, usually used as a defensive structure.- Typical construction :Typical construction consisted of small or mid sized tree trunks aligned vertically, with no spacing in between. The trunks were sharpened or pointed at the top, and were...
.
The terrain of the bailey is slightly raised above the surrounding lowland. It is roughly 100 m long and up to 40 m wide. The whole castle site is surrounding by a narrow stretch of water, which in the west and north could have been a loop in the old course of the River Aller
River Aller
The River Aller is a small river on Exmoor in Somerset, England.It rises as several small streams around Tivington and Huntscott and flows through the Holnicote Estate past Holnicote and through Allerford, where it passes under a packhorse bridge of medieval origin. It then joins the River Horner,...
.
Archaeological excavations
It is probable that the first, apparently rather amateurish, excavations on the castle site took place in 1906. This unearthed a number of iron objects, including a chain. In 1926 excavations were carried out by a teacher and his pupil. According to the records the debris of a building was found in the area of the keep but no plan could be established. The find included pieces of brick, clay, boulders, pieces of pottery and bones. Particularly interesting was the presence of charcoal everywhere, which led to the conclusion that the castle was destroyed by a fire.In 2001 the castle site attracted strong interest from archaeologists due to the well-preserved state of its ruins. Since then a comprehensive investigation has been carried out. This included physical inspections of the site, a magnetic survey
Magnetometer
A magnetometer is a measuring instrument used to measure the strength or direction of a magnetic field either produced in the laboratory or existing in nature...
, ground resistance measurements and aerial photography
Aerial photography
Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by a photographer, triggered remotely or...
. The results showed that the earth mound of the motte conceals a layer of rubble. Wooden stakes found in the wet soil underground were submitted for dendrochronological dating
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronology or tree-ring dating is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings. Dendrochronology can date the time at which tree rings were formed, in many types of wood, to the exact calendar year...
and found to date from around 1370-1380. Other finds during the ground inspections were shards of pottery and pieces of roof tile. One exceptional find was the discovery of a seal stamp made of a lead-tin alloy
Alloy
An alloy is a mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Complete solid solution alloys give single solid phase microstructure, while partial solutions give two or more phases that may or may not be homogeneous in distribution, depending on thermal history...
which portrayed the coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of the lords of Hademstorf
Hademstorf
Hademstorf is a municipality in the district of Heidekreis, in Lower Saxony, Germany....
as the former lords of the castle.
In spite of intensive surveying, a more recent excavation has not been carried out and is not planned. The historic monument can be reserved for future research as the conditions in the wet valley of the Aller are ideal for its preservation.
History
The owners of the castle were the lords of HademstorfHademstorf
Hademstorf is a municipality in the district of Heidekreis, in Lower Saxony, Germany....
, whose family line was first mentioned in 1237. In 1372 the brothers Bruno, Johann and Heinrich were recorded as lords of Hademsdorf. Uhlenburg was mentioned in a deed dated 1394. In this, the lords of Hademsdorf complained to the Lüneburg district administrator (Landrat), that the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg Henry I
Henry the Mild, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Henry of Brunswick-Lüneburg , Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, called Henry the Mild, was prince of Lüneburg from 1388 to 1409 jointly with his brother Bernard I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, from 1400 to 1409 also of Wolfenbüttel, and from 1409 until his death sole prince of Lüneburg.Henry was the...
and Bernard I
Bernard I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Bernard , Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, ruled over several principalities of Brunswick-Lüneburg. In the genealogy of the House of Welf, he is considered the first member of the Second House of Lüneburg....
had destroyed Uhlenburg, an act which contravened the Lüneburg Treaty (Lüneburger Sate). Presumably the dukes were attacking the local nobility in order to extend their territory and gain control over the toll sites on the River Aller. According to the deed the keep and two ladies chambers were destroyed; other buildings had been saved. In 1410, after his imprisonment, Heinrich von Hademsdorf swore an oath of truce (Urfehde) with Henry I. It is not known if the imprisonment was connected with the destruction of Uhlenburg.
Similar fortifications in the local area
Within the neighbourhood, in the valley of the AllerAller
The Aller is a river, long, in the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony in Germany. It is a right-hand, and hence eastern, tributary of the River Weser and is also its largest tributary. Its last form the Lower Aller federal waterway...
, there is a number of other medieval castles, some of similar design. These fortifications include those in Bierde
Bierde
Bierde is a village in the municipality of Böhme, Lower Saxony, that is part of Heidekreis district in the German state of Lower Saxony.- Bierder Burg :...
, Ahlden (Bunkenburg
Bunkenburg
Bunkenburg was a castle built during the 13th and 14th centuries in the shape of a circular fort located on the banks of the River Aller opposite Ahlden in north Germany. Only a section of the rampart, roughly 60 metres long and 3 metres high, exists today...
), Essel
Essel
Essel is a municipality in the Heidekreis district, in Lower Saxony, Germany. Most of the village is located on the southern bank of the river Aller. The A 7 motorway runs through the village.-Subdivisions:The municipality of Essel comprises 4 subdivisions:...
(Blankenburg Castle
Blankenburg Castle
Blankenburg Castle was a small castle in the village of Engehausen in the municipality of Essel in the German state of Lower Saxony. It dates roughly to the 13th century. All that remains are parts of the surrounding rampart...
), Hodenhagen
Hodenhagen
Hodenhagen is a municipality in the district of Heidekreis, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town was once the site of Hudemühlen Castle, which is now completely destroyed. The castle was famous as the home of the kobold Hinzelmann. The site of another medieval castle, Hodenhagen Castle on the River...
(Hodenhagen Castle
Hodenhagen Castle
Hodenhagen Castle is the site of a former lowland castle built in the 13th century in the vicinity of Hodenhagen in the German state of Lower Saxony...
), Rethem and Grethem
Grethem
Grethem is a municipality in the district of Heidekreis, in Lower Saxony, Germany....
(Blankenhagen Castle
Blankenhagen Castle
Blankenhagen Castle was a lowland castle , whose ruins are located by the River Aller near Grethem in Lower Saxony, Germany. The motte-and-bailey castle is believed to have been built around 1200...
).
Uhlenburg belongs to the group of former castles, that were researched between 2003-2005 by the Burgenlandschaft Aller-Leine-Tal (B.A.L.T.) project. The project was supported by the European aid programme LEADER+, because it had located castle sites in the Aller-Leine Valley
Aller-Leine Valley
The Aller-Leine Valley is the name of a region north of Hanover in Germany, that has been created for the purpose of regional marketing and inter-community cooperation...
area.
Literature
- Burgen im Fluss, Herausgeber: Landkreis Soltau-Fallingbostel, Bad Fallingbostel, 2005, ISBN 3-00-017281-5
External links
- Aerial photograph of the castle site (black and white)
- Newspaper report of the castle site and the discoveries in 2003
52.687517°N 9.666252°E