Dusseldorf was first established as its own city early in the twelfth century, at which time it was a military base watched over by the reigning emperor. At the end of that century, Dusseldorf was overtaken by the count of Berg. Berg controlled the area for approximately one hundred years before making it an official capital of their control. Shortly after that time period, the reigning count, Count Adolf V, named Dusseldorf an official city and awarded it rights as such. Approximately one hundred years after that, it became the regional capital.