Ermeland

Ermeland, or ERMLAND, one of the eleven districts of the old province of Prussia, extending inland from the Frisches Haff, was created in 1250 one of the four bishoprics of the country of the Teutonic Knights. In 1354 the Bishop of Ermeland, who hitherto had been subject to the Archbishop of Riga, was made directly dependent upon the pope, and elevated to the position of a prince of the empire. When, in 1466, West Prussia was transferred to Poland, the Bishop of Ermeland became a member of the Polish senate, with sundry privileges. Since 1722 Ermeland and its bishop have again been Prussian. The name is still borne by a Prussian district (area, 1640 sq. m.; population, 235,000), with sandy soil, but well wooded, in which a large quantity of flax is grown.