Peasants' Republic of Dithmarschen

The Peasants' Republic of Dithmarschen was a de facto Peasants' Republic in the northern German region of Schleswig-Holstein. It was formally part of the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen, although the Prince-Bishopric never actually controlled the territory.

The Peasants' Republic is still active as a district (German: Kreis) in the modern-day federal state of Schleswig-Holstein under the name Dithmarschen.

Politics
Dithmarschen was a de facto Peasants' Republic under Oligarchical rule.

Subdivisions
Dithmarschen was subdivided into multiple Kirchenspiele which can be translated as Church districts. Kirchenspiele are comparable to modern-day municipalities.

Achtundvierziger
The Achtundvierziger (Litteraly translates to Forty-eighth) was the governmental organ of Dithmarschen, which was established on the 13. February 1447. It existed to unite the individual subdivisions, so as to not have them being largely independent, like before.

It was first established to just act as a court but it slowly transformed into being the governing body of the Peasants' Republic.

It worked under a oligarchical system, in which, 48 lifetime judges would be appointed by the individual subdivisions.

Wars

 * Dithmarschen is probably most famous for the Battle of Hemmingstedt, which took place on February 17, 1500 south of the former village of Hemmingstedt. It was an attempt by King John of Denmark and his brother Duke Frederick, who were co-dukes of Schleswig and Holstein, to conquer the Peasants' Republic. The conflict ended in the victory of Dithmarschen.