Page "Rügen" Paragraph 24

Under Danish rule the Principality of Rugia changed its character.

Danish monasteries were established ( e. g. Bergen Abbey in 1193 and Hilda Abbey, today Eldena Abbey, in 1199 ).

German colonists were introduced into the land and soon became the largest and most culturally influential group within the population.

The Slavic cultural element disappeared, also due to the lack of their own Slavic church structures, so that the Rani were absorbed in the period that followed into the now German-influenced people of Rügen.

In addition to the colonization of the country and the building of new monasteries and churches, towns were also re-established.

In 1234 the Rügen Prince Wizlaw I founded the town of Stralsund and granted Greifswald market rights in 1241.

The power of the towns grew rapidly, forcing Rügen's rulers to make concessions-for example, the prince's castle at Barth was slighted and Schadegast, the princely " twin " of the municipally-controlled Stralsund, was ousted in favour of the latter.