The Region of Kilden is a rural area stretching across parts of the Kingdoms of the Netherlands, Prussia and the former Kingdom of Hanover
Kingdom of HanoverThe Kingdom of Hanover was a German state established in 1814 after the Congress of Vienna. It was ruled by the Hanoverian branch of the British royal family until 1837,… (annexed in 1866). It is known to be established by local tribes in the area that formed an alliance or collaboration to share knowledge, land and resources. The exact borders are unknown, but archaeological research found land defences (land wehrs) on the location of the current outer borders that could have marked the area of the region. Also, boundary stones (marked stones) have been found.
Geography
The region sits atop a large moraine, called Regent BankRegent BankRegent Bank is a moraine that runs vertically through the Region of Kilden, flanking the Kild River. It was formed during the Saalian period when glacial ice pushed up the…, formed during the Saalian period. Glacial ice pushed up the soil, creating wrinkles in the surface and forming a ridge that runs from north to south. This process exposed soil like clay and loess, making the area very fertile. Rivers, such as the Kild
KildThe Kild is a river that flows from north to south through the entirety of the Region. It is the most important river in the area and supplies water, power,…, found their way along the ridge’s flanks and are still present today. The result is a fertile, hilly countryside with springs and rivers, very suitable for people to live in. According to archaeological finds, the first inhabitants of the area were hunters and gatherers, living off the woods and plains. Around 4300 BC, these people began to create settlements with the introduction of farming. This meant they no longer had to move to other places and could remain in the area. These small settlements were mostly inhabited by one or a small group of families, that lived both off their land and the surrounding forests.
History
Most of what we know about the early history of Kilden comes from archaeological research. We don’t have much information about who these people were, their habits, cultures, or how they lived. Information was rarely recorded and was often passed down orally. However, we can still provide an overview of their history. After the hunters and gatherers settled in the area, they formed settlements with several houses, either around or surrounded by land they owned separately or cultivated together. Some families formed tribes that lived and worked together. From these tribes, the Region of Kilden may have originated. These tribes grew larger, were defeated, or were absorbed into other tribes and later into entire kingdoms, such as the Salian Franks, the Saxons, and Francia. Below is an overview of these periods:
- Primal Germanic Tribes
- The Salian Franks
- The Saxons
- The Frankish Kingdom
- The Holy Roman Empire
- The Republics
- The French Kingdom
- Independent Kingdoms (Kingdom of Holland, Prussia and Hanover)
The Tale of Origin
In addition to the historical and archaeological discoveries in the area, there is an old oral tradition that describes how the region came to be. It is said to have begun long before the establishment of current borders, kingdoms, and lands, even predating the settlement of the Primal Germanic Tribes. According to some beliefs, the story originated when nomadic people, likely hunters and gatherers, were foraging the forests for food and water. Near what is now the city of Lutheria
LutheriaThe City of Lutheria is one of the main cities in the Region of Kilden and is situated along the important trade route to Belthem. The city is geographically located…, a man began digging by a tree, likely searching for food or roots. Suddenly, water bubbled up, forming a small puddle that expanded, washing away the soil around the tree’s roots. Among these roots, the man discovered something so valuable that people began to venerate the site, frequently returning and eventually settling there. The man’s family became the leaders or elders, as they held the secret of what lay between the tree’s roots. However, one day, the man and his family disappeared without a trace, taking their secret with them. Only two other families were entrusted with parts of the secret, and they took it upon themselves to protect it, despite not fully understanding its full meaning. It is said that descendants of the original family line continue to safeguard the treasure, hoping to one day uncover its true significance.
The origin story is believed to have taken place in or around the city of LutheriaLutheriaThe City of Lutheria is one of the main cities in the Region of Kilden and is situated along the important trade route to Belthem. The city is geographically located…. The lake, from which the river Holle
HolleThe Holle is a small river or creek that flows from its source, called Perdegat, near the city of Lutheria, to the river Kild. Water in Lake Perdegat originates from… begins—also known as PerdegatPerdegatPerdegat is the name of the lake adjacent to the city of Lutheria. It features a natural spring and serves as the source of the Holle River. Fresh water is…—is thought to be the “puddle” that was excavated, leading to the formation of the river HolleHolleThe Holle is a small river or creek that flows from its source, called Perdegat, near the city of Lutheria, to the river Kild. Water in Lake Perdegat originates from…. In the middle of the lake, there is a natural source where water seeps to the surface, occasionally visible as a small bubble or whirlpool. Historical records from around 777 document that Charlemagne’s legions cut down a sacred tree and eradicated an entire clan in an effort to Christianize the region. At the site of the current St. Mary’s Chapel, a cross was planted in remembrance of the gods they venerated, one of whom was a woman. A church was initially built in the name of that deity but was later renamed St. Mary to align with Christian beliefs. Additionally, it is said that the magnificent church of Wingchere Abbey
Wingchere AbbeyWingchere Abbey is a monastery and a neighbourhood located on top of Scheddelsted Hill in the city of Lutheria. The Abbey was built around a sacred site where St. Mary's… in LutheriaLutheriaThe City of Lutheria is one of the main cities in the Region of Kilden and is situated along the important trade route to Belthem. The city is geographically located… was built using wealth found in the area, which is linked to a secret. However, nothing has ever been proven or refuted.
The Coat of Arms
The Tale of Origin is believed to be represented in the current Coat of Arms, although the design was created much later than the tale itself. The crest features a tree with roots embedded in a blue shield, symbolising the tree surrounded by water. Flanking the shield are two green beetles, thought to represent the family that discovered the treasure by digging in the soil. The shield is supported by a black wolf and a white horse, said to symbolise the two families safeguarding the secret. Above the shield is a crown, indicating a certain status associated with the shield and possibly the secret. Many claim that this secret is why Kilden has maintained its status, despite not being officially recognised by other powers and kingdoms. Below the shield is a banner with the Latin phrase “Ad Animam Ire Volo,” which translates to “To the Soul I Want to Go.” The meaning of this phrase remains unknown, but some believe it may hint at or even reveal the secret.
The Flag
The flag of the Region of Kilden features three horizontal stripes: blue, white, and yellow. The blue stripe symbolises the sky and its clouds, while the yellow represents the fields and plains. The meaning of the white stripe remains uncertain. In the right corner of the flag, there are three white flowers, symbolizing fertility and growth. The flag was designed much later than the coat of arms, during the time when the Kingdoms of the Netherlands, Prussia, and Hanover were in power. It is suggested that the blue was inspired by the Dutch flag, the white by the Prussian flag, and the yellow by the Hanoverian flag, although this claim has been disputed.
The Feudal System
When the first settlements arose, small groups of people lived together, worked on shared land, and helped each other when needed. The concept of owning something and allowing others to use it in exchange for something else didn’t exist yet. However, as settlements grew and relationships became more complex, new information systems emerged. People could own land and allow others to live or work on it in exchange for a piece of the profit (like the harvest) or money. This led to the creation of the Feudal System. In short, the Feudal System involves structuring society around land ownership in exchange for services or labour. One person or family typically owns the land, and the people there provide services and labour in exchange for the right to live on the land and use the common areas. They may also pay taxes. In some cases, the land is owned by a group of people who each have a share and can use the common areas based on their ownership. The more shares a person owns, the more influence this person has and the higher the share in the common land, such as from grazing their animals, collecting wood or mining peat. With this, people with more shares got a higher status, while people with no shares were looked down upon. They had to work hard for little gains and there was a large gap between rich and small. This system was used for centuries until revolutionary ideas from France caused it to falter and even be abolished. However, in the region of Kilden and other rural areas, the system still persists.
The Division of Land
The feudal system and the shift from shared land to separate kingdoms greatly impacted land division. Originally, the region was a single area divided into neighbourhoods where different families lived. Now, it is split into (1) Amts, (2) districts, and (3) neighbourhoods. The Amts emerged when the Frankish Kingdom divided the land into two parts, establishing the current border between the Kingdoms of the Netherlands and Prussia/Hanover. The land of present-day Prussia was further divided during the Holy Roman Empire, eventually forming the separate kingdoms of Prussia and Hanover. When in 1866 Hanover was annexed, the lands were brought under one rule again, but the division into Amts remained. And as the population grew, the need for a more decentralized government led to the division of Amts into several districts, and these districts into several neighbourhoods, some of which trace their origins back to the Germanic tribes. Below is a list of the current Amts, Districts and Neighbourhoods.
