Stade

Stade grew around a harbour on the Schwinge, close to the Elbe and its route to the North Sea. The town became an important Hanseatic trading centre, although competition with nearby Hamburg shaped its fortunes. Ships could enter from the Elbe by way of the Schwinge, making Stade a valuable port for the lands between the Elbe and Weser.

The Thirty Years' War brought occupation and siege. Swedish troops took Stade in 1645, and the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 gave Sweden the former archbishopric of Bremen and bishopric of Verden as imperial duchies. Stade became the seat of their Swedish government, its position near the great river mouths giving the administration access to important trade routes. Danish forces occupied the town in 1712; Hanover acquired Bremen-Verden in 1715, ending the Swedish period of government from Stade.