Page "Dithmarschen" Paragraph 21

In the 15th century the Ditmarsians confederated in a peasants ' republic.

Several times neighbouring princely rulers, accompanied by their knights and mercenaries tried to subdue the independent ministate to feudalism, however, without success.

In 1319 Gerhard III was repelled in the Battle of Wöhrden.

After Eric IV, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg had raided Dithmarschen, the Ditmarsians blamed his son-in-law, Albert II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg, of complicity, who then used this as a pretext for his own unsuccessful conquest attempt in 1403, dying during the campaign from inflicted injuries.

In 1468 Dithmarschen allied with Lübeck to protect their common interest as to commerce and containing the spreading feudalism in the region .< ref name =" Dollinger 1998 124 "> Philippe Dollinger, Die Hanse Hanse ( XII < sup > e </ sup >- XVII < sup > e </ sup > siècles ); German, see references for bibliographical details, p. 124.

ISBN 3-520-37105-7 .</ ref > Ditmarsians had established trade with Livonia and neighbouring Baltic destinations since the 15th century, based on the Hanseatic obligations and privileges since the pact with Lübeck.

Both parties renewed their alliance several times and it thus lasted until Dithmarschen's final defeat and Dano-Holsatian annexation in 1559.