Calenberg Land

The towns of the Calenberg Land developed in the Middle Ages as the ruling classes conferred self-administration and market rights.

The present-day geographical region of Calenberg Land roughly corresponds to the Germanic area of Marstemgau  [de] which was ruled by the House of Billung in the Early Middle Ages.

These were the counts of Wölpe (Nienburg/Weser), of Roden (Wunstorf), of Schaumburg, of Schwalenberg (Barsinghausen), of Spiegelberg (Lauenstein) and of Hallermund (Springe).

In 1542 the area became Lutheran thanks to the work of the widowed duchess, Elisabeth of Brandenburg (1510–1558), and Anton Corvinus carried out the Reformation at her request.

An attempt to re-catholicise the area by Eric II, Duke of Calenberg during the Schmalkaldic War failed due to popular resistance.

In 1625, during the Thirty Years War, the forces of Tilly invaded and captured the castle of Calenberg after a three-week siege.