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.