From 1562 to 1791 it was a part of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (Zemgale), which was a vassal state of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and later the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Jelgava was the former Capital of the Duchy, the residence of the Dukes. A large number of manor houses that belonged to German barons and counts are situated in the rural area of the municipality. 

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