What is "verden"

Verden is a Kreis (district) in the centre of Lower Saxony, Germany. Adjoining it are (from the northwest clockwise) the districts of Osterholz, Rotenburg, Heidekreis, Nienburg and Diepholz, as well as the city of Bremen.

Verden can refer to:

• Verden an der Aller, a town in Lower Saxony, Germany
• Verden, Oklahoma, a small town in the USA
• Verden (district), a district in Lower Saxony, Germany
• Verden (state), a former prince-bishopric (later principality) in the Holy Roman Empire
• Verden (principality), a former principality in the Holy Roman Empire
• Verden, a colony of the micronational Aerican Empire
• Verden Studios, Edinburgh, A recording studio and rehearsal rooms in Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland

The historic territory of Verden emerged from the Monarchs of the Frankish Diocese of Verden in the area of present-day central and northeastern Lower Saxony and existed as such until 1648. The territory managed by secular lords for the bishops was not identical with that of the bishopric, but was located within its boundaries and made up about a quarter of the diocesan area. The territory was referred to at the time as Stift Verden or Hochstift Verden, roughly equating to Prince-Bishopric of Verden. This territory described in local sources today incorrectly as Bistum Verden ("Bishopric of Verden") and, in 1648, was given the title Principality of Verden, sometimes referred to as the Duchy of Verden.