Dürscheider Hof

The history

We know from old sources that the origins of Dürscheid go back to the time of the settlement of the Bergisches Land in the 10th/11th century. At that time, areas were granted as fiefdoms by the sovereign to loyal people with the obligation to cultivate the land. These could be nobles or ecclesiastical institutions. Land was cleared in suitable locations and a fiefdom or manor was built, usually with a small chapel nearby, a so-called Eigenkirche. In the course of time, more farms were added, to which the name of the fiefdom was then transferred.

In the 2nd half of the 11th century, a fiefdom called "Dursen" or "Dursten" is mentioned, which belonged to the convent of St. Maria im Kapitol. The various sources show how the name of the village has changed over the centuries: Dursten, Dursen, Durschet, Durß, Durschedt became Dürscheid in the 19th century.

Feudal court

We learn more about this again 200 years later, this time from the minutes of the feudal court in Dürscheid from 1756, in which all the feudal tenants are listed by name. In the following, the villages from which the feudal tenants came to find their right to a farm transfer are listed. These are: Dürscheid, Steinthor, Ober- and Untersteinbach, Armengut am Rodtland, Armengut zum Siefen, Dahl, Keller, Spitze, Dorpe, Bölinghoven, Blissenbach, Steeg - a total of 53 farms. In addition, there were 3 farms in Herkenrath, 4 in Immekeppel, 32 in Cürten, 11 in Bechen, 23 in Hohkeppel, 7 in Wipperfeld and 6 in Lindlar - a total of 86, i.e. 139 farms in all.

This meant that all these farmers had to go to Dürscheid to obtain their share of the farm in the event of inheritance or to obtain their rights in the event of disputes. The task of these courts is described as "to ensure the security of the property of the farm people liable to pay interest, to prevent harm to widows, children, heirs and creditors, to preserve the value of the farm and to protect it from fragmentation and senseless exploitation".

They met on fixed dates three times a year, usually in the summer months, and consisted of a chairman (Dinger), an advocate (defender) and a feudal messenger. The judgments were passed by the appointed lay judges (Schöffen). They had to lead an impeccable life: they had to be "fromb von nehmen und famen (reputation) seyn, nit meyneidig, Ehebrüchig, hurisch, diebisch, oder mit anderen unbilligen Untaten beladen und von ehrlichen Eltern erzogen".

The feudal courts were abolished during secularization by Napoleon in 1806. Their task for society was subsequently taken over by local courts and the newly established land registry offices.

Until 1803, today's Dürscheider Hof was closely linked to the function of this feudal court and thus played a supra-regional role for the area. It is also possible that a predecessor building is identical to the original "Dursen" feudal court.
 

Tavern

From 1605, it is known that the inhabitants of the Dürscheider Hof worked as sacristan/sexton and that the farm served as an inn. The proximity of an inn to the church is not unusual in earlier times. Considering the long distances to church, usually on foot, the opportunity to find refreshments near the church was very welcome. This custom even goes back to a church ordinance from the 5th century, which states: "There should be a hospice right next to the church where the archdeacon receives strangers. He should always be available in the church guest house." - a Christian idea that is reflected in the accommodation of pilgrims and the needy.

Owner of the Dürscheider Hof since 1600