Mecklenburg, Duchy of

Henry the Lion, Duke of the Saxons, had un the late twelfth century conquered the region of Mecklenburg, subjugated its local lords, and Christianized its people, in a precursor to the Northern Crusades.

From the twelfth to the fourteenth centuries, large numbers of Germans and Flemings had settled the area (Ostsiedlung), importing German law and improved agricultural techniques.

The Wends.

who had survived all warfare and devastation of the centuries before, including invasions of and expeditions into Saxony, Denmark and Liutizic areas as well as internal conflicts, are assimilated in the centuries thereafter.

However, elements of certain names and words used in Mecklenburg speak to the lingering Slavic influence.

An example is the city of Schwerin, which was originally called Zuarin in Slavic.

Another example is the town of Bresegard, the 'gard' portion of the town name deriving from the Slavic word 'grad', meaning city or town.Since the twelfth century, the territory has remained stable and relatively independent of its neighbors; one of the few German territories for which this is true.

During the reformation the Duke in Schwerin converts to Protestantism and so follows the Duchy of Mecklenburg.

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