Bremen had to cede Bederkesa and Lehe (a part of today's Bremerhaven) to the Duchy of Bremen. After the Danish occupation (1712–1715) the Duchy of Bremen became a fief to the House of Hanover. In the 18th century the seigniory was abolished in favour of freehold land property, thus the family von der Lieth and the peasants turned into independent farmers. In 1807 the ephemeric Kingdom of Westphalia annexed the Duchy, before France annexed it in 1810. In 1813 the Duchy was restored to the Electorate of Hanover, which – after its upgrade to the Kingdom of Hanover in 1814 – incorporated the Duchy in a real union and the Ducal territory, including Elmlohe, became part of the new Stade Region, established in 1823. On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of Elmlohe's foundation the municipality published a book on its history: "Elmlohe – ein Dorf im Wandel des Zeit 1308–2008". Attractions of Elmlohe Elmlohe is famous throughout Europe for its horse competition taking place at the end of July every year. References Geestland