Arle, Großheide

Arle, located on the edge of a geest, was already a provostship under the archbishopric of Bremen in the 12th century, although under the name Erle. Unlike the neighboring Münster area, its provosts were not rich noblemen, but incumbent clergymen. The St. Boniface Church was built from tuff on a high mound at this time.^[1][2]

A tower in Arle was mentioned in 1408, among the castles that were taken by the Hamburgers with the support of Keno tom Brok. The castle later belonged to Hebe, the daughter of Lütet Attenas, and her son Keno. Through his daughter Sophie, the castle came to the Howerda family in 1545, who became the sole owners of Arle. In 1613, Focko Beninga acquired Dreesche – a hamlet near Arle, probably by purchase. However, ownership changed in 1717 to the Barons of Wedel and in 1786 to the House of Innhausen and Knyphausen of Lütetsburg. The small shield in the coat of arms is that of the Beninga of Grimersum.^[1]

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