Lingen
1227   Founded as a city; taxes, etc., paid to Bishoprics of Osnabruck & Munster (Holy Roman Empire)
bef 1366   Rights as a city first mentioned
1401   Rights as a city confirmed by Count Nicolaus II of Tecklenburg
1498 1541 Division of County of Tecklenburg; last res here of Count Nicolaus IV at castle
1597 1605 In poss of (Prince Mauritz of) Orange
1605 1632 Spanish domination of area; reconquered by House of Orange
    Probable origin of idea that it was part of the Low Countries of Charles V