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Principality of East Frisia 1654-1744 (Lower Saxony, Germany)

Fürstentum Ostfriesland, County of East Frisia 1464-1654

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by Rob Raeside
Date of adoption unknown (late 18th or early 19th century)

Introduction
Origin of the black-red-blue flag
Lordship of Esens 17th Century (Herrschaft Esens)
County of Norden (Grafschaft Norden)

See also:

Emden Flags c.1595-c.1811 (Lower Saxony, Germany)
East Frisia (Lower Saxony, Germany)
Historical Flags (Lower Saxony, Germany)
Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen, Germany)
Germany

Other sites:

German Territories in 1789 at the Map Collection of Germany of the Baden-Württemberg Mailing List website

Introduction

East Frisia was a County, later Principality, since the 15th century to 1744. From 1744 to 1810 the county belonged to Prussia, from 1810 to 1814 to France and from 1815 to 1866 to Hannover.

Santiago Dotor, 28 February 2001

In the 14th to 16th century various chieftains (Häuptlinge) fought for control over East Frisia. A short account of this is given for instance in this website (in German). The result of this was that the Cirksena family eventually conquered all of East Frisia. Only the Lordship of Jever resisted annexation. (...) Norden became a possession of the Cirksena family in 1436. (...) In 1454 the Cirksenas acquired the title of Counts of East Frisia. The lordships of Esens and Wittmund (jointly known as Harlinger Land) came into their possession in 1581 or 1600 (my sources differ). [Later] East Frisia became a principality that was acquired by Prussia in 1744 and became part of Hanover in 1815.

Stefan Schwoon, 28 February 2001

[East Frisia became a principality] in 3 steps: in 1654 Count Enno Ludwig is named prince; in 1662, his successor, Georg Christian, is named to the Fü