Asmus BEHRINGK (about 1530 - 84), an East Prussian court at the Mecklenburg The reader may wonder how an East Prussian is the Renaissance period to Mecklenburg and how has the publisher of this experience? The last part of the question is easily answered: I have found appropriate files in the archive. It seemed interesting because one part of the name BEHRING occurs in our family genealogy, on the other hand, was also a place named in the finding aid title, good break, which BEHRINGER, BAERINGKs, Boering, etc., had in possession until 1727.
I was curious to know whether these acts fit into our family research. They fit! The following is reported:
travels in the 1580s (He) Asmus BEHRINGK few times from the Duchy of Mecklenburg in the Duchy of Prussia. The records tell of a wealthy Prussian Mecklenburg Secretarius and advice from relatives Güstrow who inspected the area in central southern Samland. He wants to buy land. He knows how to manage mills grind the time talking to bailiffs and clerks office, get information and review the situation. The title indicates Secretarius at that time not just a mere typist. Today, customary title "Secretary" meets the then much better. An "advice relative" is someone who uses one for the Council of a city, a councilman.
the Official Laptau is his father's heritage, the Krug Cauter (later Kiauten written), about 15 km north of Kaliningrad. There, the possibilities are limited to land acquisition. It is possible to buy just a few hooves and tomorrow. He also acquires the right to burn as well as timber for the necessary repair and improvement of the buildings. At that time, you can not just buy a property, we ensure, as far as possible, certain beneficial rights.
If you want to live well, you have to heat the cold winters in the East Prussian orderly. A property with the right of firewood from ducal forest is like a year now at government expense-filled fuel tank. Free timber corresponds to a purchase at the hardware store for free. In addition to these timber rights trying to get Asmus, with the help of his royal patronage, also tax free. In addition, the property be as free of duties (provide example for a duke's bailiff transit, roads improvement works or aid in the construction of public buildings), no group work services, are not military service (a man with horse and armor or equip a portion of a so-called Warpenwagens and maintain readiness in the event of war) and no taxes.
Asmus Behringk but still wants more land for himself and his family. He finds everything in the village of fracture in the parish office in Schönwalde Waldau. The village consists of 4 yards and those four farmers are willing to sell, a total area of 12 hooves (1 feet = about 16 hectares), according to today's extent therefore, the 180 acres. Asmus asks for approval of purchase from the Prussian duke. He does not forget to mention that he enjoys the patronage and recommendation of its territorial sovereignty and Mecklenburg here already, the high policy into play. For the Duchess Anna Sophia of Mecklenburg, in 1580 already a widow, is a born Princess of Prussia. It is the oldest Daughter of the late Duke Albrecht of Prussia in 1568.
(above: Anna Sophia, unßre Hant - signed by the Duchess Anna Sophia letter of recommendation for Asmus Behring)
Duchess Anna Sophia (1527-91) wrote to her "freuntlich dear cousin," the reigning duke in Prussia:
... The Jegenwertiger Secretarius our faithful and dear Erasmus Behring ... merciful abscheidt an admission auff Gütlein to break from the show Walldauschen Zwelff Huben, Beneben merciful enactment of several interest rate cuts and the next Scharwerck ORTT under EL Sigell (. Before which all exchanges to undertenigsten vleiße against EL [ Your Lordship ] informed grateful, even further, to his family uff zuerwidern meet all were guilty.) Lassenn happen merciful ...
The high politics is also reflected in the fact that Duchess Anna Sophia for making me as today's readers as strange hints of Asmus and his services:
... and Ime [ the Asmus Behring ] sowoll auff our first and foremost as well as the highborn prince Mr Ulrich Herzog to Meckel Burgk & freuntlichen our beloved uncle, brother-brethren and gossips, SL beschehnen similarly remote wife jare merciful before Ihne at El Intercession in the hire; therefore he go daßmael among others in Prussia, and BEY EL undertänig sollicitiret and stopped ...
The words "... an EL [
Your Lordship ] beschehnen Intercession ..."
refer to the princely Mecklenburg Please concessions to Secretarius Behringk in Prussia from the government side in terms of its land acquisition with certain advantages, because you feel indebted to him for his services in Mecklenburg. To me it has not succeeded in deciphering the relationship link "uncle's brother-brothers and godfathers" to clear.
House Mecklenburg not only maintains close relationships to Brandenburg and Prussia, but also to the ruling families in Brunswick and Scandinavia. That aforementioned Duke Ulrich, the younger brother of Anna Sophia's husband, Duke Johann Albrecht I (1525-76) is. Ulrich Herzog is again with Elisabeth of Denmark, the widow of his cousin Duke Magnus III. of Mecklenburg, married. The father of Ulrich and Johann Albrecht I was Albrecht VII of Mecklenburg. Who had a lot of effort without success but not hopeless at the time the crowns and thrones of Denmark and briefly tried out of Sweden.
It is not always easy to understand, who at that time because in Mecklenburg is in charge. The so-called Primogeniturrecht that only one, usually the eldest, the chair of the House and the government assumes, has not yet enforced. All (male) members of the ruling family somehow do their share in power. Nevertheless, Mecklenburg is in the 16 Century rule, a single state, the Lauenburg and Ratzeburg in the west and has the Guelph duchies as neighbors to the south by the Principality of Chur Brandenburg is bordered to the east and extends up to Pomerania. Only in later years lead to irreconcilable disputes divisions: Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Güstrow.
Then say the Letter of the Duchess continued "... Wherefore he
among other daßmael issued in Prussia, and BEY EL sollicitiret undertänig and stopped ... "
- perhaps Anna Sophia says the negotiations in the Duchy of Prussia to their inheritance after the death of her father, Duke Albrecht 1568th For the past 12 years Prussia delay the recognition of the claims. It can be seen in Prussia in the face of chronic cash strapped not one that supplied well Mecklenburg Dowager Duchess of alimony even more. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1555, an incomprehensibly magnificent feast in Mecklenburg celebrated the wedding of Duke Johann Albrecht I (1525-76) and Anna Sophia of Prussia. Since 1550, has been negotiated since the marriage contract, Johann Albrecht has made elaborate preparations I.. In Wismar, a sumptuous Fürstenhof to receive the illustrious guest has been built. Mecklenburg wants to stress its political importance by pomp, the epoch of the Renaissance is in full bloom. A tournament like the old chivalry, hunting, music and dancing and tons of fine meat, fish and wine must be organized. The farm with all staff must be dressed according to the occasion brilliantly. Traders and merchants in Wismar and Lübeck have to do for years, the required to obtain luxury goods from all over the world: the finest brocades, velvet and silk, precious, colored fabrics, jewelry and precious stones and many barrels of fine wines. Lore-master of all trades make extraordinary: architect, painter and sculptor, Punzo and chasing, silver and gold, arms and gunner, master dish, Riemer and wheelwright, hatters and tailors. 
The father-Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Duke in Prussia, as agreed in lengthy marriage contract negotiations, a proper dowry for his daughter and carried over a significant share of fixed costs. It seems good possible that (he) Asmus Baehringk the Princess Anna Sophia of Prussia as a trusted Secretarius to Mecklenburg accompanied her and since in Mecklenburg your service.
As I said, of Mecklenburg, Prince wants to document its importance by an ostentatious act of state. The Scandinavian royal families, neighboring houses from Germany to appear with all the feudal people. In Schwerin State Archives voluminous files are on the elaborate preparations, the organization of the required resources from all parts of the country, has long invitation lists and their planned accommodation with all the accompanying persons. Unfortunately, our Asmus not name on the lists of arriving Prussian court. I have 2 days, unfortunately, unsuccessful attempts, to find something about Asmus Baehringk mecklenburger and his activities. It is from the period are not easy to be researched more about the lists of senators in Güstrow, no lists of the court, nothing where you could just look up. You may hide or certificates of Asmus' Mecklenburg activities in any letters that combined to store large collections of works in files which roughly translates to "royal household from ... to ..." are named. Possibly can still be found somewhere instructions in Güstrower city files.
Our (re) Asmus Behringk is likely in various court and state affairs in the years 1560-80 have been to the Dukes of Mecklenburg go.
I can regarding the search to Asmus Behringk now only rely on the records of the former Königsberg archives that are accessible in Berlin. Asmus was a diligent writer. The land transfer its administrative operations concerned, he knew sent by cleverly worded to convey requests and suggestions. In these letters lies a wealth of details, sometimes hiding in endless meandering sentences.
Since writing the gentlemen councils to the Duke of Prussia:
"
Obwoll the Lord Rethe tragenn bedencken Billich ... zurathen the Prince and Lord as what möchtte redound unnd ettwa zugeringerung or Schmellerung the Pflichtt Scharwerck, they erwegen yet, however, that by this Supplicant [ Asmus Behringk ] (: of, like a partly wissendt and bekandt, not just a quiet pious honest is dinschafftiger and intimate at the court attempted and in chickens more tigenn used, but guilders in the ezlich Tausendt vermügender man:) your FD [ royal highness ] in many ways, that he was inside or outside the country, sowoll informed his faithful Dinsten as vermügen the (: as well Ungerer vorm dan Jar uff a mere schreibenn IFDl. Zumbestenn and such towels informed his damage in 2000 dollars vonn people Dabey first gehabtt umb Zinsser stehendt, abgefordertt and even communicates taken to Brunswick:) useful unnd more diss low he Wherefore asks again twice introduced and report to be köntte, insisted that they give in viewing seinendthalben accrediting princely Intercession may again advise nichtt Messrs. Rethe, ... "
is Asmus Behringk of the governing councils undoubtedly wealthy" have been regarded investor "who knows obviously deal for his princely patron of larger amounts and purchases for the court makes. Unclear here is the local reference Braunschweig. It can be assumed by Asmus Behringk a busy travel services in Prince.
...
me too as of this blessed Meynell Vattern low inherited Gütlein bey the pitcher umb sovilmehr zugenißen have Muge ... "
Asmus writes here of the pitcher in K (i) at Auten Laptau and we learn the fact that the possession of his deceased father was.
In another letter read out by Asmus we can do something more than the previously displayed text: Asmus would like to return to his "Vatterlandt. It lacks, however, at an Annual Source of income there. The inherited "Gütterche" him are too low and too burdened with high taxes. His father, Krueger Kiauten has not exercised until the death of the country lay assessors office, we know the way: ...
me zubegeben from Meckel Burgk against alhier In my Vatterlandt, and my life hieselbst not only spend Fully demineralised, but gutte used material my Vatterlandt, use with loyal services allow, I am lacking, however, to deme that the gütterche so my blessed Vatter (. In the much-Jar bit dug in his country Scheppen Ampt and otherwise to vormögen gedienett faithfully.) hinder bide to obligations unpillichen ettwas not only limited but is also informed that other zuthuen schuldigk for Jaren been beleget and burdened ... "
Reigning Duke Georg Friedrich can then reply in August 1581: ...
also admit to such a land use with its Vatter faithful to the grace and so F. Dl. Conferirn Ime and do bring Inner Lands and off with all the faithful were zuerwiedern vleissigen dinsten underthenigst and start. Thus F. Dl. Geleisten in his erwegunge albereidt guthwilligen still further and promised gelobttenn dinste sake ime external, but the grace ... [
Kiauten in the jug and the good break ]
all Zinsser, Scharwerck Warpenwagens and may have been needed and Inzuhaben frey. But that such deliverance and pardon weitter not, the bit in Virden gradum included his heirs to come köntte like that, or to uf for virdenn body, his Perßonn with, extendirt or erweittert gemeinet Sey . "
It was not until the year 1583, Asmus Behringk that finally receives a properly sealed instrument of his tenure.
Duke Georg Friedrich Vormundt reigns as the deemed incapable of governing Duke Albrecht Friedrich, the only son of the late Duke Albrecht. The Duchy of Prussia in those years were, two court households: that of Duke Albrecht Friedrich and the Georg Friedrich. The question of power is in the Duchy of Prussia in the 1580s a little tricky. The Prussian nobility feels through the skillful management expert and shrewd diplomat Georg Friedrich looked too much on the finger and oppressed in their rights. Therefore we would like to see the power back to the Duke Albrecht Friedrich, the true heirs to turn everything on its own meaning, and prevail. Duke Albrecht Friedrich is due to a mental disease as incapable of governing. To what extent does this verdict from political or health reasons, actually comes about by recent research in recent years a new light.
Duke Georg Friedrich is making every effort to the ailing to clean up finances of the Duchy. If he wants to decide on tax changes, he needs the consent of the Estates, so the local nobility. This position in turn uses the needle to point to the annual scheduled diets resistance. Individual groups within the nobility even think of a revolt, to a dismissal of the Duke Georg Friedrich, to which one hopes for the support of the Polish crown. On the scheduled parliamentary winter 1584-85 is worsening the situation seriously.
Duke Georg Friedrich has moved the venue wisely marginal aspects of Konigsberg in Saalfeld. He wants to avoid the fact that the public in the capital city of the disagreements could be involved. Georg Friedrich wants to avoid in any case an open revolt. The estates do not realize that maintains Georg Friedrich has been the throne of the new king of Poland, Stefan Batory, with the friendly diplomatic relations. The wealthy Georg Friedrich has given a considerable sum to King Stefan and promotes diplomatic contacts the crown of Poland to the emperor and other princes. Stefan King is to say the ruling Duke of Prussia very weighed and recognizes its tutelary government in Prussia no ifs and buts. Action letters from the Prussian nobility of Stefan Batory remain unanswered, or go on to post turning Georg Friedrich, which is thus informed of the mood in the country well, although it can not always stay in Prussia. Georg Friedrich has yet to manage its own principalities: Ansbach, which he also fallen to Bayreuth and the rule of hunter village in Silesia. He has also contributed to the Prussian government councils is his own people to him to report any irregularity. This circumstance is particularly the bone of contention for the Prussian estates. You feel comfortable in their traditional right back in the national government. They considered the regiment of the Duke Friedrich Geord as a rule.
For the Prussian Estates It is inconceivable that the Polish king could show no interest in their situation. The experience of the past are the total opposite. Since the unfortunate Prussian civil war, the 13-year war of 1453-66, which led to the division of religious country and to the feudal supremacy of the Polish crown over the remainder of Prussia, the respective Polish king built like from his influence in Prussia, where from there this is an occasion. Every little dissatisfaction with their government traditionally calls Prussia, the Poles on the plan. Failure to answer the Polish government declared the Prussian nobility in the current crisis, therefore, with the usual Unreliability of the former courier system. It harbors no doubts about the Prussian clearly stands facing position.
This miscalculation of the situation weakens the position of the Prussian nobility against the government decision. Duke Georg Friedrich has taken all precautions to make it not come to the end. Three noble leader of the opposition (v.Aulack, v.Dehle, v.Eulenburg) to withdraw an arrest by fleeing to the Polish West Prussia, but remain in contact through letters with the stands in Saalfeld. The Diet is the former convention, to place in a strictly ritualized form. The estates were composed of 3 parties together, the representatives of the towns, the lords and district administrators, the nobility. The Duke can submit his proposals in writing by his secretaries. The estates have to consult to find a unanimous position, which in turn vormuliert writing given to the Duke's secretaries. The Duke himself resides in the nearby castle Ortelsburg. The ducal government formulated a response that must be discussed again by the three stands. Only when the three stalls again an opinion is found, it goes on. monitor on all sides lawyers scrupulously the text of any written document to all do not own position by unwanted compromising concessions or undifferentiated expressions. The tactics of the items asks concessions to give tax adjustments only to consent to their demands befitting government participation or withdrawal of the foreign government councils. In addition, one demands the unconditional amnesty followed the nobles.
In this scenario now Asmus Behringk on behalf of Duke Georg Friedrich active. As stated in the documents is . .. have so F. Dl. Erwegunge in his albereidt guthwilligen done yet and also promised gelobttenn dinste sake ime graces without but ... "The royal highness has only of special grace in expectancy also promised services and praised the tenure prescribed for 4 generations of tax-free. Now the Duke has our Asmus Behring Saalfeld used to services, because in May 1585 Wolf vd Oelsnitz writes from Tapiau to the royal Prussian Rathcanzler Friedrich Scharffen if he knew " to which Conditions the Asmuß Behringen who died at Hall Feldt uffm Diet to get his face broken güttlein genandt favors for saying this. Weiln dan we need to know such Baldt, Sun is our freundtlich ask the Lord chancellor would lassenn uffsuchen his prescription unnd send us such Baldt arrived here. . . "
This Document, we know that Asmus attended the Parliament in Saalfeld, and that he died there of unknown causes. And already greedy for his prospective property or want to know what they can quote on taxes. But that's another topic. It will employ the following generations of owners nor sustainable. Now the time being interested in the question: what Asmus Behringk made on the diet? And how he came to death? Charged with high voltage, the conflict between Prussia and stands of the duke's government meant that some people get caught in the crossfire and could see unexplained manner of death?
is secured Historically, that will be discussed on that of Prussia Diet also claims the inheritance of the Duchess Anna Sophia of Mecklenburg from the estate of her late father, Duke Albrecht is en. It is conceivable that this negotiation Asmus point in terms of his former "boss" represents. It is also conceivable that Asmus has also fulfill certain orders for the Duke Georg Friedrich and thus the groups stands at the diet appears suspicious. The exact circumstances remain even in the darkness of history. Maybe I will highlight some aspects more closely, when I look through the extensive parliamentary records from the year 1584-85. First sample but leave just lots and semi-official documents expect that hardly mention such minor matters as the fate of our Asmus Behringk ...
Asmus Behringk died childless. The property goes to his brothers Andrew and George. The responsible public men doubt every now and then to the tax exemption and legality of the inheritance in later generations, even seize the entire herd in order supposedly to offset taxes in 100 years backward. Only vigorous legal objections can save the status of ownership. In 1727, well after the time the estate tax-free fraction is sold to the neighbors: Captain Henning Ditherich by Wegner, Owner enlarged to Good Kugge his property and pays the 3 Erbparteien (Behring 6 Huben, Linck 4 Huben Huben Wosegin 2) in cash. The pitcher in Kiauten is still owned by the closely related family Scharfenorth.
is 1764 married a Urururgroßnichte Asmus Behringk with my Ururururur-grandfather, born Johann Friedrich SCHWEICHLER, 1744 still in bucket of lime, the family estate of the East Prussian Schweich turer, buys himself as his own livelihood a little köllmisches estate of 3 hides in Damerau in the parish Schaaken and Anne Regine BEHRING has eight children. One of these children married into the Curonian Lagoon Stombeck a beautiful young daughter, and Kruger takes over their heritage. Four generations seen in 1932, my mother Betty Schweichler in Stombeckschen Dorfkrug the light of day. See also thematically-related stories about the bell-founder Henry of Schwichel, border disputes in bucket of lime, the "women's stories, and essays about the village inn in Stombeck. links found under BLOG-Archive is an overview of the various contributions. Please click on the track leads directly to the associated text. Have fun reading and exploring ...
