Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

former GRAND-DUCHY OF, a state of northern Germany, consisting of two separate territorial divisions: the first and largest, the former duchy of Stargard, bounded on the W. by Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and surrounded on all other sides by the Prussian territories; the second, the former principality of Ratzeburg; united area, 1,131 square miles; pop. about 105,000. The general features of the country are the same as those described in the above article. Its mean elevation is, however, somewhat less than that of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, though the Helpterburg, near rises to 640 feet above the sea. The chief Woldeyk, river in Stargard is the Havel, and in Ratzeburg the Stepnitz. The land was divided among the sovereign, the nobility, and the towns, in the proportion of about seven-tenths to the first, two-tenths to the nobles, and one-tenth to the munici palities. Nearly one-fourth of the former grand-ducal property consisted of forest lands. Agriculture and cattle breeding are the chief branches of industry here, as in Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The manufactures are even more insignificant than in the latter grand-duchy. The government was a feudal monarchy, as in Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Justice was administered in eight courts of primary jurisdiction, the superior court of Ratzeourg, and the court of ch burg, chancery in New Strelitz, from which appeal lay to the supreme tribunal at Parchim. Neu- Strelitz was the capital and residence of the former grand-duke. The other chief towns are Neu - Brandenburg, Friedland, and Old Strelitz. In 1872 the army was incorporated with that of Prussia. Mecklenburg-Strelitz was originally peopled by the Heruli and the Vanin 782. Charlemagne failed in his atbut in 1159 Henry the Lion subdued its chief, Niclot, and seized his territories. The two lines of Mecklenburg and Werle were founded by John the Theologian, and Niclot, on the death of their father, Henry Burwin II., in 1236. The latter became extinct in 1436. The entire duchy was conferred on Wallenstein by the emperor Ferdinand II., Mar. 4, 1628; but in 1631 it was again restored to Adolphus Frederick and John Albert, then existing representatives of the lines of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Güs- NVALOR ED STATES.OF. LYES OF AMERICA NITE THE MEDAL OF HONOR, UNITED STATES ARMY trow. The division of the entire duchy between the grand-duchies of Strelitz and Schwerin was effected Mar. 8, 1701. In D THE MEDAL OF HONOR, UNITED STATES NAVY 1815 the dukes assumed the title of grand-duke. In November, 1918, Mecklenburg -Strelitz was proclaimed a republic. resolution said to have been adopted in DECLARATION, a May, 1775, at a midnight meeting of representatives of the militia of Mecklenburg co., N. C. It declared that the people of that county were free and independent of the British crown, and not only was its general tenor that of the Declaration of Independence, but many phrases are word for word as in that document. The minutes of the midnight meeting were destroyed by fire in 1800.