The District of Maienfeld

	Herrschaft (the Domain), the name usually given to the 
district of Maienfeld by the natives, comprises the right side 
of the Rhine between the Landquart in the south and the 
Lichtenstein boundary beyond Luzisteig in the north, and 
includes the political communes of Fläsch, Jenins, Malans and 
the town of Maienfeld.

	The first part of the name Maienfeld goes back to 
Gallic "mago", meaning field:  the second part of the name also 
means field.  For an explanation of the name "Herrschaft" see 
below.

	Prehistoric settlement of the domain has been proved by 
single finds at Jenins, Maienfeld and Luzisteig, dating from 
the Neolithic period and the Iron Age; dwellings dating from 
the Bronze Age have been found near Malutschkopf as well as a 
Hallstatt settlement, both in the commune of Fläsch.

	The territory has always been of great importance from 
a geographical point of view, as it was here that the so-called 
German route from Bregenz over the Luzisteig to Chur met with 
the route coming from Zürich.  The Tabula Peutingeriana, a 
Roman route map dating from the 4th century AD, mentions Magia, 
Maienfeld, as the place where the two routes met.

	During the Frankish period the territory was part of 
the "Ministerium Planis" in the Duchy of Lower Rhaetia.  Centre 
of the royal domains was the King's Court at Maienfeld, from 
which the mediaeval town developed.

	In the late Middle Ages two sovereignties arose:  the 
sovereignty of Aspermont with Jenins and Malans, and the 
sovereignty of Maienfeld with Maienfeld and Fläsch.

	The sovereignty of Aspermont, whose Lords of the same 
name are mentioned in 1120 as the residents of the stronghold 
of New-Aspermont near Jenins, changed hands several times until 
the Bailiff of Maienfeld, Hans von Marmels, sold the stronghold 
and castle of Aspermont, the estates belonging to it, and the 
common courts at Jenins and Malans to the Three Leagues on 22nd 
February 1536.

	The castle and sovereignty of Maienfeld was in 
possession of the Lords of Vaz during the Middle Ages (1220).  
After the line died out in 1338 the property passed to the 
Dukes of Toggenburg.  They also acquired the estate that is 
called Stürvis where the Walsers have settled.  The Walsers, 
who settled at Stürvis around 1350, and later at Rofels, Bovel, 
and Mutzen (Guscha) formed a community called Berg, which 
belonged to Maienfeld in ecclesiastical as well as political 
matters.  After the death of the last Duke of Toggenburg, 
Friederich VII, Maienfeld was inherited by Wolfram of Brandis 
and Thüring of Aarburg; the latter, however, ceded his part to 
Brandis in 1466.

	Brandis' sympathies lay with the Austrians and because 
of thie Maienfeld Castle was ransacked and burnt to the ground 
by the Rhaetians in 1499 during the Swabian Wars.  The same 
fate befell New-Aspermont Castle.  Later, however, Maienfeld 
Castle was rebuilt, and in 1509 the Three Leagues pruchased the 
sovereignty and the castle for 20,000 guilders.

	During the Middle Ages Maienfeld managed to acquire the 
rights of a township and possessed certain privileges in minor 
court matters and taxation, but the court, the council, and the 
bailiff were appointed by the sovereign lord.

	After the Three Leagues bought the sovereignty of 
Aspermont together with Malans and Jenins in 1509, they were 
joined to Maienfeld and Fläsch, from 1536 onwards they formed 
the High Court of the sovereignty of Maienfeld.  Up to 1798 the 
High Courts of the Free State sent a bailiff there in turn for 
two years.  As Malans and Jenins as well as Maienfeld and 
Fläsch joined the League of Ten Jurisdictions in 1436, the High 
Court of Maienfeld was given a chance to send its own bailiff.  
Thus it is true to say that the people of the domain were loyal 
and true allies but at the same time subjects.

	During the time of the Reformation Fläsch was the first 
of the country communes of the Free State to accept the new 
faith.  Malans and Maienfeld soon followed, and in 1536 Jenins 
did so too.

	In the wars of the Grisons the rebels from the 
Prätigau, assisted by the confederates, forced the troops of 
the Emperor to retreat from Fläsch and to give up the 
occupation of the territory.  But soon they returned and when 
they left Maienfeld in 1624 they burned the castle to the 
ground.  There had already been a great fire at Maienfeld in 
1622 and in the same year the Plague, which had claimed half 
the population at the beginning of the 16th century, struck 
again.

	In the 17th and 18th centuries many important political 
plans were made in the splendid residences of families such as 
Salis-Maienfeld, Salis-Seewis, Sprecher von Bernegg, Gugelberg 
von Moos and Brügger.

	After the Mediation of 1803 the district was no longer 
subject territory.  But even today the name "Herrschaft" is 
more common to the people of the Grisons that the name 
"District of Maienfeld".  The division into districts of 1851 
joined the two jurisdictions Maienfeld (with Fläsch) and Malans 
(with Jenins) to the district of Maienfeld.

	Wine-growing is the traditional occupation of the 
area.  it is said that the French Duke Rohan brought the vines 
from Burgundy in 1635.

	Up to the 14th century the language of the district was 
Romansh, but Germanisation made rapid progress and was 
completed in the 16th century.

Personalities of the district:

	Johannes Guler of Wynegg (1562 - 1637) from Davos.  
After studying at the universities of Zürich, Geneva and Basle 
he became chief clerk at Davos and later the magistrate and 
leader of the League of Ten Jurisdictions.  Finally he became 
ambassador of the Grisons at foreign courts and contracted 
treaties.
	In 1602 he inherited Wynegg Castle at Malans and 
settled there.  He wrote historical studies and in 1616 he 
published his book "Rhaetia, a Detailed and True Description of 
the Three Grey Leagues and Other Peoples of Raetia".

	Theophil Sprecher von Bernegg (1850 - 1927).  He 
belonged to one of the most famos families of the Grisons.  
Having an estate at Maienfeld he help public offices in the 
commune, the district, the region, and the canton.  He was a 
conservative Protestant who was highly respected for his candid 
character and unfailing sense of justice.  he was one of the 
main initiators of the Rhaetian Railway.
	In the history of Switzerland he is remembered as the 
Chief of Staff during the First World War.  An excellent 
organiser during a time of turmoil, he sent an example of 
unselfish service.

	District Coat of Arms:  Party azure and gold, bunch of 
grapes on stalk countercoloured.  Blazonry:  the seal of the 
court of 1803 shows in gold a bunch of grapes with stalks and 
leaves and above it two hands intertwined.  The parted coat of 
arms with the countercolours has been used in the district for 
many years.  District colours: blue-yellow.

NOTE:  This document was taken from the book:  GRAUBÜNDEN GESCHICHTE SEINER KREISE