The Flemings of Ermland

And their Relationship with the von Pöttelkow

The Fleming brothers of Ermland played an important role in the creation of the history for the family Pettelkau through their association with Theoderich de Putlechow. Though we may never know whether Theoderich was of a social rank equal to or above that of the Fleming we do know that it was Bishop Heinrich Fleming I of Ermland who created the “privilẽgium” that has provided the family with a great start in the books containing Prussian history. In this relationship one must understand that both the Fleming and the Putlechow came from an area of the Christian world that provided Ermland with noble families as well as priests, knights, soldiers, and settlers. Theoderich von Püttelkow and his family were nobles of the country named Ermland in its most rudimentary stage. He together with the Fleming created Ermland and gave Prussia its very life.

A son of Dietrich von Potilkow, Johannes von Pöttelkow, wed the daughter of Gerhard Fleming at a date prior to 1320, a year in which we know that she was deceased. In that year Johannes was the inheritor of at least part of what she inherited from her father the Mayor of Frauenburg, Gerhard Fleming. See the fishing license [Fischfang-Lizenz] dated 10 November 1320. So, some of the wealth of the Schultheißen became the heritable wealth of the Pöttelkow.

Present in Ermland and as neighbors and probable associates of Dietrich von Potilkow are the Fleming’s Heinrich, Albert, Gerhard, Johann and a sister, Walburg. The first recognizable female name in the Pettelkau clan is ?????? Fleming von Pöttelkow who was daughter to Gerhard Fleming, and wife to Johannes von Pöttelkow, who is brother to Tylo and son to Theoderich (Dietrich) von Pöttelkow of Ermland, Vassal of Bishop Heinrich I of the Roman Catholic Church who in fact was the governor of Ermland.

There are seven people named Fleming in the book Preussische Regesten. The book indicates that the variation and original name Fleming is Flamingus with origins in Lübeck, Holstein. The Fleming names mentioned are: “Albert, Christian, Gerhard, Heinrich Bischof von Ermland, Johann Bürger von Lübeck, Johann”. The first Fleming entry in the book is on page 30 for the date 8 Sept. 1230 in the place Ratzeburg that indicates that Johannes Flamingus is the “Consul Lubic”. He is next mentioned in Lübeck in connection with a Marien Convent and lastly as Johannes Fleming in Thorn 10 March 1246, which was then part of Kulmerland, later Kreis Kulm of West Prussia and home to the Petikow (1453), Pettelkau, Pittelkau and Peddelkow of dates newer than 1663. There is no known connection between the Fleming and Pettelkau of the area of Kulmerland.

Facts about the Fleming of Ermland

Ø The Fleming family of the Ermlands were members of the Lübeck Fleming who were wealthy traders.

Ø Several of the Fleming were vassals of the Ermlands just as Theoderich von Potilkow was. The difference was that their brother Heinrich was the Bishop and ruler of the country.

Ø Bishop Heinrich Fleming provided the Privileges that gave ownership of lands and other wealth producing things to his brothers and their associates. Among these things was the creation of a constitutional charter with origins in Lübeck which gave rights for the creation of wealth to his family.

Ø Johann Fleming was the founder of the City of Braunsberg and received 1/3 of the wealth generated by the “hereditary city court”.

Ø Gerhard Fleming was the founder of the City of Frauenburg and owned fishing rights on the Baude River among other significant wealth generating properties.

Ø Albert and Johannes Fleming owned property at Schalmei which is the Pettelkau neighbor to the east. Johannes also owned estates at Klenau, Kilian, and Frauenburg. The primary estate of Johannes was at Wusen and was 100 hooves in area.

Ø During the 15^th Century the descendants of Johannes Fleming became “von Wusen” after the gemarkung Wusen.

Ø Albert Flemings primary estate was at Basien and was 110 hooves in area. Later the descendants of Albert Fleming took the name Baysen or Basien or in Polish Bazinski after the gemarkung they had inherited. Albert created one of the most famous Prussian families of them all. The above picture of the Old Prussian is the 15^th century Polish design of the “Bazinskich” family crest. In the description the von Baysen family is an old “Pruskich” name.

Ø It is said that Johannes and Albert Fleming became the “master fathers” of the oldest German aristocratic families of the Ermlands.

The Coats of Arms belonging to four of the Fleming of Lübeck and Prussia are below. We do not yet know which Coat-of-Arms belongs to Gerhard Fleming or whether it was inherited by the daughter who was wed to Johannes Von Pöttelkow of Ermland. Even if it was inheritable, there is no possible way to determine whom that title might have passed to during these seven centuries. Information left behind by another researcher of an earlier time indicates that Johannes died childless. For us, it is important to know that once there was a man named Johannes von Pöttelkow, who was married to the daughter of a wealthy German Knight named Fleming who helped create a country.