GERMANY (DEUTSCHLAND) AND HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (HEILIGES RÖMISCHES REICH)
The kingdom of the East Franks (eventually identified as an Alamannian, Teutonic, or German
monarchy) formed at the Treaty of Verdun and its division of the Frankish Empire in 843. On the extinction of
the Carolingian house in 911, the throne passed by election to the houses of the Conradines of Franconia and
the Liudolfings of Saxony. In 962 king Otto I was crowned emperor by the pope, and the German kingdom
entered a personal union with the Italian kingdom into what eventually came to be known as the Holy Roman
Empire. The kingdom of Burgundy (Arelate) was added to this personal union in 1032. In legal terms the
arrangement was to last until the formal dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, although by then
imperial rule had all but disappeared from any part of Burgundy and Italy and the feudal principalities of
Germany had become practically autonomous. Emperor Napoléon I of France established the Confederation of
the Rhine (1806–1813) to dominate most of the German states after the last emperor Franz II had abdicated
and contented himself with his Austrian and central European possessions. The Confederation of the Rhine was
succeeded by the German Confederation (1815–1866), set up by the Congress of Berlin, and generally under
the presidency of the Austrian emperor. At the end of this period Austria’s dominant position was terminated
by Prussia, and the Austrian possessions were definitively separated from the German states. After dominating
the North German Confederation (1867–1871), Prussia became the cornerstone of a single, albeit federal state
in 1871, when most of the sovereign states that had formed out of the Holy Roman Empire joined together in
the German Empire. By far the strongest and largest of its component states was the kingdom of Prussia, whose
kings served as emperors of Germany until the deposition of all German monarchs at the end of World War I in
1918, when Germany became a republic.
The royal and imperial succession in the Holy Roman Empire was perceived as at least partly subject to
election (corresponding to both Roman and Frankish notions of charismatic monarchy). Even when a
designated and unchallenged successor was available, imperial status had to be conferred by the pope, although
the second and third emperors were actually first appointed by their respective fathers. Therefore, until crowned
by the pope, a monarch remained only king of the Franks or, in German medieval practice, “king of the
Romans.” The monarchs were simultaneously kings of Italy (or of the Lombards) and, since 1032 of Burgundy
(or of Arles). The imperial title, though theoretically elective, remained firmly attached to the German
monarchy, although several German kings failed to secure an imperial coronation (most notably in the period
1250–1308). Starting with the Investiture Controversy between emperor Heinrich IV (1056–1105) and Pope
Gregorius VII, the de facto hereditary succession was undermined, and the state evolved into a truly elective
monarchy in spite of the efforts of the Hohenstaufen (1138–1254). This exacerbated the preexisting problems
posed by the lack of centralization, and in the long term fatally weakened the state. The right to elect an
emperor became vested in a limited number of secular and ecclesiastic princes, an arrangement crystallized in the
Golden Bull of emperor Karl IV (1346–1378) from 1356. Elective kings and emperors had to rely on their
personal possessions and revenues, and enjoyed the single practical advantage of disposing of fiefs that had
become vacant to the advantage of their own families. During the reign of Ludwig V (IV as emperor, 1314–
1347) it was decided that the elected king of Germany may use the imperial title even if the pope refused to
crown him emperor. This decision was put into practice in 1508, when Maximilian I (1493–1519) assumed the
imperial title at Trent and decreed that a monarch was emperor from the time of his election. The Habsburg
dynasty monopolized the throne from 1438, and from 1486 to 1765 the title “king of the Romans” was used for
junior co-rulers associated with their fathers. The Protestant Reformation and the Treaty of Augsburg (1555)
further eroded the monarch’s authority over the German principalities, as it provided local rulers with the
freedom of choosing between Catholicism and Lutheranism as the religion of their subjects. The last vestiges of
actual imperial power as such were swept away by the Thirty Years War and the Treaty of Westphalia (1648).
Franz II took the title emperor of Austria in 1804, and in 1806 abdicated as Holy Roman emperor and king of
its constituent monarchies. A succession of confederacies under mostly Austrian presidency was followed by the
Prussian-dominated German Empire in 1871. This strong but federated entity survived until 1918.
The kings of the East Franks were designated as rex Francorum, but by the 11
th
century they were
called Romanorum rex until crowned emperor by the pope. The neo-Roman emperors were called Imperator and
Augustus in Latin and Kaiser in German. The list below includes East Frankish and German monarchs from the
accession of the Carolingian Dynasty in 751 beyond the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire till 1918. Also
included are the rulers of secular states that acquired the status of elector (of the emperor of the Holy Roman
Empire0 by 1806), or sovereignty as members of the German Confederation and of the German Empire, or had
been one of the original “tribal” duchies of the East Frankish kingdom (Bavaria, Franconia, Lorraine, Saxony,
Swabia). The Austrian Empire and its constituent territories, the grand duchies of Luxembourg and Limburg
(now in Belgium and the Netherlands) and the principality of Liechtenstein are listed separately.
German kings (and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire
1
)
Carolingian House
751–768 Pippin,
the Short … son of Karl Martel, maior domus of the Franks
768–814 Karl
I,
the Great (Charlemagne)
2
… son of Pippin; Italy 774–781; emperor 800
& 768–771 Karlmann I … son of Pippin
Karl,
the Younger … son of Karl I; associated 800–811
814–833 Ludwig
I,
the Pious … son of Karl I; Italy 818–820; emperor 813; deposed
833–834 Lothar I … son of Ludwig I; emperor 817; deposed
834–840 Ludwig
I,
the Pious … restored
840–843 Lothar I … restored; deposed, died 855
843–876 Ludwig
II,
the German … son of Ludwig I; associated in Bavaria 817
Karl
II,
the Bald … son of Ludwig I; associated in Swabia 829–833; emperor 875–877
876–880 Karlmann II … son of Ludwig II; in Bavaria; Italy 877–879
& 876–882 Ludwig III … son of Ludwig II; in Saxony; also Bavaria 880–882
& 876–887 Karl III, the Fat … son of Ludwig II; in Swabia; Italy 879–887; Saxony and Bavaria 882–887;
France 884–887; emperor 881; deposed, died 888
887–899 Arnulf,
of Carinthia … bastard son of Karlmann II; Italy 896; emperor 896
899–911 Ludwig
IV,
the Child … son of Arnulf
Conradine House of Franconia
911–918 Konrad I … son of count Konrad I of Franconia by Glismut, bastard daughter of Arnulf
Luidolfing House of Saxony
919–936 Heinrich
I,
the Fowler … son of duke Otto I of Saxony
936–973 Otto
I,
the Great … son of Heinrich I; Italy 963–973; emperor 962
973–983 Otto
II,
the Red … son of Otto I; associated 961; also Italy; emperor 967
983–1002 Otto III … son of Otto II; associated 983; also Italy; emperor 996
1002–1024 Heinrich
II,
the Holy
3
… son of duke Heinrich II of Bavaria, son of Heinrich I, son of
Heinrich I; also Italy; emperor 1014
Salian House of Franconia
1024–1039 Konrad II … son of count Heinrich of Speyer, son of duke Otto I of Carinthia, son of duke
Konrad I of Lorraine by Liutgard, daughter of Otto I; also Italy; Burgundy 1032–1039;
4
emperor 1027
1039–1056 Heinrich
III,
the Black … son of Konrad II; associated 1028; emperor 1046
1056–1105 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich III; associated 1053; emperor 1083; deposed, died 1106
• Rudolf of Swabia … son of count Kuno of Rheinfelden; rival 1077–1080
• Hermann of Salm … son of count Giselbert of Luxembourg; rival 1081–1088
5
Konrad … son of Heinrich IV; associated 1087–1093; deposed; rival 1093–1101
1105–1125 Heinrich V … son of Heinrich IV; associated 1099; emperor 1111
House of Supplinburg
1125–1137 Lothar II … posthumous son of count Gebhard of Supplinburg; emperor 1133
Hohenstaufen House of Swabia
1138–1152 Konrad III … son of duke Friedrich I of Swabia by Agnes, daughter of Heinrich IV;
previously rival 1127–1135
Heinrich … son of Konrad III; associated 1147–1150
1152–1190 Friedrich
I,
Barbarossa … son of duke Friedrich II of Swabia, brother of Konrad III;
emperor 1155
1190–1197 Heinrich VI … son of Friedrich I; associated 1169; emperor 1191; Sicily 1194–1197
1
Emperors 800–840, 881–887, 896–899, after 962 whenever crowned by a pope, after 1508 upon election.
2
Canonized as saint 1165.
3
Canonized as saint 1146.
4
From this point on all kings of Germany were also simultaneously kings of Italy and Burgundy.
5
Egbert of Meissen, son of margrave Egbert I of Meissen, was possibly chosen as a rival king in 1089–1090.
1197–1198 Friedrich II … son of Heinrich VI; associated 1196; replaced; Sicily 1197–1250
1198–1208 Philipp,
of Swabia … son of Friedrich I
Welf House of Brunswick
1208–1215 Otto IV … son of duke Heinrich III of Saxony, son of duke Heinrich II by Gertrud,
daughter of Lothar II; rival since 1198; deposed, rival 1215–1218; emperor 1209
Hohenstaufen House of Swabia
1215–1250 Friedrich II … restored; rival since 1211; emperor 1220; Jerusalem 1225–1228
Heinrich … son of Friedrich II; associated 1220–1235; deposed, died 1242
• Heinrich Raspe … son of landgrave Hermann I of Thuringia; rival king 1246–1247
1250–1254 Konrad IV … son of Friedrich II; associated 1237; also Sicily; Jerusalem 1228–1254
House of Holland
1254–1256 Wilhelm … son of count Floris IV of Holland; rival since 1247
House of Anjou (England)
1257–1272 Richard of Cornwall … son of king John of England
• Alfons … son of king Fernando III of Castile by Elisabeth, daughter of Philipp; rival
6
1257–1275; resigned; Castile 1252–1284
House of Habsburg
1273–1291 Rudolf I … son of count Albrecht IV of Habsburg
7
House of Nassau
1292–1298 Adolf … son of count Walram II of Nassau; deposed, died 1298
House of Habsburg (Austria)
1298–1308 Albrecht I … son of Rudolf I
House of Luxemburg
1308–1313 Heinrich VII … son of count Henri VI of Luxembourg; emperor 1312
House of Wittelsbach (Bavaria)
1314–1347 Ludwig
V,
the Bavarian … son of duke Ludwig II of Upper Bavaria by Mathilde, daughter
of Rudolf I; emperor 1328
•
Friedrich,
the Handsome … son of Albrecht I; rival 1314–1322; associated 1325–1330
House of Luxemburg (Bohemia)
1347–1378 Karl
IV
8
… son of king Jan of Bohemia, son of Heinrich VII; rival since 1346; emperor 1355
• Günther … son of count Heinrich VII of Schwarzburg; rival 1349; abdicated, died 1349
1378–1400 Wenzel … son of Karl IV; associated 1376; deposed, died 1419
9
House of the Wittelsbach (Palatinate)
1400–1410 Ruprecht,
Klem … son of elector Ruprecht II of the Palatinate, son of count palatine Adolf,
son of count palatine Rudolf I, brother of Ludwig V
House of Luxemburg (Bohemia)
1410–1437 Sigismund … son of Karl IV; Hungary 1387–1437; Bohemia 1419–1437; emperor 1433
1410–1411 Jobst … son of margrave Jan Jindřich of Moravia, brother of Karl IV; rival 1410–1411
House of Habsburg (Austria)
1438–1439 Albrecht II … son of duke Albrecht IV of Austria, son of duke Albrecht III, son of duke
Albrecht II, son of Albrecht I; husband of Elisabeth, daughter of Sigismund; Bohemia
and Hungary 1438–1439
1440–1493 Friedrich III … son of duke Ernst of Styria, son of duke Leopold III, son of duke Albrecht II
of Austria, son of Albrecht I; emperor 1452
1493–1519 Maximilian I … son of Friedrich III; emperor 1508
10
6
Alfons received a 4:3 majority of the electoral votes, so he should be considered the legitimate monarch.
7
Konrad of Teck, son of duke Adalbert II of Teck, was possibly chosen king after the death in Rudolf I in 1292,
but was murdered within days.
8
Originally named Wenzel (Václav).
9
Friedrich of Brunswick-Lüneburg, son of duke Magnus II of Brunswick-Lüneburg, was possibly chosen rival
king in 1400, but was murdered shortly thereafter.
10
From this point on, coronation by the pope was no longer deemed necessary to claim imperial status.
1519–1556 Karl V … son of king Felipe I of Castile, son of Maximilian I; Aragón, Castile, Sicily 1516–1556;
Naples 1516–1554; abdicated, died 1558
11
1556–1564 Ferdinand I … brother of Karl V; associated 1531; Bohemia and Hungary 1526–1564
1564–1576 Maximilian II … son of Ferdinand I; associated 1562; also Bohemia and Hungary
1576–1612 Rudolf II … son of Maximilian II; associated 1575; also Bohemia and Hungary
1612–1619 Matthias … son of Maximilian II; also Bohemia and Hungary
1619–1637 Ferdinand II … son of duke Karl of Styria, son of Ferdinand I; also Bohemia and Hungary
1637–1657 Ferdinand III … son of Ferdinand II; associated 1636; also Bohemia and Hungary
Ferdinand IV … son of Ferdinand III; associated 1653–1654
1658–1705 Leopold I … son of Ferdinand III; also Bohemia and Hungary
1705–1711 Joseph I … son of Leopold I; associated 1690; also Bohemia and Hungary
1711–1740 Karl VI … son of Leopold I; also Bohemia and Hungary; Naples 1713–1734; Sardinia
1713–1720; Sicily 1720–1734
1740–1742 (interregnum)
House of Wittelsbach (Bavaria)
1742–1745 Karl VII … son of elector Maximilian II of Bavaria, son of elector Ferdinand Maria, son of
elector Maximilian I, son of duke Wilhelm V, son of duke Albrecht V, son of duke
Wilhelm IV, son of duke Albrecht IV, son of duke Albrecht III, son of duke Ernst, son
of duke Johann II, son of duke Stephan II, son of Ludwig V; husband of Maria Amalie,
daughter of Joseph I
House of Habsburg-Lorraine (Austria)
1745–1765 Franz I … husband of Maria Theresia, daughter of Karl VI; son of duke Léopold of Lorraine
1765–1790 Joseph II … son of Franz I; associated 1764; Bohemia and Hungary 1780–1790
1790–1792 Leopold II … son of Franz I; also Bohemia and Hungary
1792–1806 Franz II … son of Leopold I; abdicated; Bohemia and Hungary 1792–1834; Austria 1804–1835
(dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire 1806)
GERMAN CONFEDERATIONS
Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine (Rheinbund)
1806–1814 Napoléon (I of France) … son of Carlo Buonaparte; emperor of the French; died 1821
(dissolution of the Confederation of the Rhine 1814)
Presidents of the German Confederation (Deutscher Bund)
1815–1835 Franz (I of Austria) … former emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 1792–1806
1835–1848 Ferdinand (I of Austria) … son of Franz; abdicated, died 1875
1849–1850 Friedrich Wilhelm (IV of Prussia) … son of king Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia; died 1861
1850–1866 Franz Joseph (I of Austria) … son of Franz Karl, son of Franz; died 1916
(dissolution of the German Confederation 1866)
President of the North German Confederation
1867–1871 Wilhelm (I of Prussia) … brother of Friedrich Wilhelm; emperor of Germany 1871–1888
(conversion into German Empire 1871)
GERMAN EMPIRE (DEUTSCHES REICH)
German emperors
House of Hohenzollern (Prussia)
1871–1888 Wilhelm I … president of the North German Confederation 1867; Prussia 1861–1888
1888 Friedrich … son of Wilhelm I; also Prussia (Friedrich III)
1888–1918 Wilhelm II … son of Friedrich; also Prussia; deposed, died 1941
(republic
1918)
11
Karl V was the last Holy Roman emperor to be crowned by the pope, in 1530.
ANHALT
The county of Anhalt belonged to the Ascanian House, which came to rule ducal Saxony from 1180. On the
death of duke Bernhard of Saxony in 1212, his younger son Heinrich I inherited Anhalt with the title of prince
(fürst). On the extinction of the Ascanian line of Saxe-Lauenburg in 1689, the princes of Anhalt claimed the
title of duke of Saxony. The dynasty divided itself into several branches, which attained the ducal title in 1806–
1807. With the extinction of the lines of Anhalt-Köthen in 1847 and of Anhalt-Bernburg in 1863, the line of
Anhalt-Dessau reunited the entire duchy and joined the German Empire in 1871.
Counts and princes of Anhalt
Ascanian House of Anhalt
1212–1252 Heinrich I … son of duke Bernhard III of Saxony; prince of Anhalt 1218
(division into lines of Ascherleben, Bernburg, and Köthen 1252)
Princes of Anhalt in Ascherleben
1252–1266 Heinrich II … son of prince Heinrich I of Anhalt
1266–1304 Otto
I, the Fat … son of Heinrich II
& 1266–1307 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich II; archbishop of Magdeburg 1305
1304–1315 Otto II … son of Otto I
(to Anhalt-Bernburg and the Bishopric of Halberstadt 1315; to Brandenburg 1648)
Princes and dukes of Anhalt in Bernburg
1252–1287 Bernhard I … son of prince Heinrich I of Anhalt
1287–1324 Bernhard II … son of Bernhard I
1324–1348 Bernhard
III
… son of Bernhard II
1348–1354 Bernhard
IV
… son of Bernhard III
& 1348–1377 Heinrich IV … son of Bernhard III
& 1348–1404 Otto III … son of Bernhard III
1377–1410 Bernhard V … son of Heinrich IV
& 1377–1405 Rudolf II … son of Heinrich IV; bishop of Halberstadt 1400
1404–1416 Otto IV … son of Otto III
& 1404–1468 Bernhard VI … son of Otto III
1468–1497 Hedwig … widow of Bernhard VI; daughter of duke Jan I of Silesia-Sagan
1497–1603 (to
Anhalt-Zerbst)
1603–1630 Christian I … son of prince Joachim Ernst of Anhalt-Zerbst; in Zerbst 1586–1603
1630–1656 Christian II … son of Christian I
1656–1718 Viktor Amadeus … son of Christian II
1718–1721 Karl Friedrich … son of Viktor Amadeus
1721–1765 Viktor
Friedrich
… son of Karl Friedrich
1765–1796 Friedrich
Albrecht
… son of Viktor Friedrich
1796–1834 Alexius Friedrich Christian … son of Friedrich Albrecht; duke of Anhalt-Bernburg 1806
1834–1863 Alexander Karl … son of Alexius Friedrich Christian
(to Anhalt-Dessau 1863)
Princes of Anhalt in Harzgerode
1635–1670 Friedrich … son of prince Christian I of Anhalt-Bernburg
1670–1709 Wilhelm Ludwig … son of Friedrich
(to Anhalt-Bernburg 1709)
Princes of Anhalt in Hoym
1718–1727 Lebrecht … son of prince Viktor Amadeus of Anhalt-Bernburg
1727–1772 Viktor I … son of Lebrecht
1772–1806 Karl … son of Viktor I
1806–1812 Viktor II … son of Karl
1812 Friedrich … son of Viktor I
(to Anhalt-Bernburg 1812)
Princes and dukes of Anhalt in Köthen
1252–1298 Siegfried I … son of prince Heinrich I of Anhalt; in Köthen and Dessau
1298–1316 Albrecht I … son of Siegfried I; in Köthen, Dessau, and (from 1307) Zerbst
1316–1362 Albrecht II … son of Albrecht I
& 1316–1367 Waldemar I … son of Albrecht I
Albrecht III … son of Albrecht II; associated 1354–1359
1362–1382 Johann I … son of Albrecht II
& 1362–1365 Rudolf I … son of Albrecht II; bishop of Schwerin 1364
1367–1371 Waldemar II … son of Waldemar I
1382–1396 Siegmund I … son of Johann I; to Anhalt-Zerbst 1396–1405
& 1382–1414 Albrecht IV, the Lame … son of Johann I; to Anhalt-Zerbst 1414–1423
& 1382–1392 Waldemar III … son of Johann I
1414–1416 Waldemar IV … son of Siegmund I; in Zerbst 1405–1414
& 1414–1474 Georg I … son of Siegmund I; in Zerbst 1405–1414
& 1414–1450 Siegmund II … son of Siegmund I; in Zerbst 1405–1414
& 1414–1469 Albrecht V … son of Siegmund I; in Zerbst 1405–1414
1474–1508 Waldemar VI … son of Georg I
& 1474–1516 Ernst … son of Georg I
& 1474–1509 Georg II, the Strong … son of Georg I
& 1474–1510 Rudolf III … son of Georg I
1508–1562 Wolfgang,
the Confessor … son of Waldemar VI;
12
abdicated, died 1566
1516–1551 Johann II … son of Ernst; in Zerbst from 1544
& 1516–1553 Georg III, the Blessed … son of Ernst; in Plötzkau from 1544
& 1516–1561 Joachim … son of Ernst; in Dessau from 1544
1551–1561 Karl … son of Johann II; in Zerbst
& 1551–1586 Joachim Ernst … son of Johann II; in Zerbst, in Dessau 1561–1565; sole ruler 1570
& 1551–1570 Bernhard VII … son of Johann II; in Dessau from 1565
1586–1603 Christian I … son of Joachim Ernst; to Anhalt-Bernburg 1603–1630
& 1586–1603 Johann Georg I … son of Joachim Ernst; to Anhalt-Dessau 1603–1618
& 1586–1650 Ludwig I … son of Joachim Ernst
& 1586–1603 August … son of Joachim Ernst; to Anhalt-Plötzkau 1603–1653
& 1586–1603 Rudolf IV … son of Joachim Ernst; to Anhalt-Zerbst 1603–1621
1650–1665 Wilhelm Ludwig … son of Ludwig I
1665–1669 Lebrecht … son of prince August of Anhalt-Plötzkau; in Plötzkau 1653–1665
1669–1670 Emanuel … brother of Lebrecht; in Plötzkau 1653–1669
1670–1704 Emanuel Lebrecht … son of Emanuel
1704–1728 Leopold … son of Emanuel Lebrecht
1728–1755 August Ludwig … son of Emanuel Lebrecht
1755–1789 Karl Georg Lebrecht … son of August
1789–1812 August … son of Karl Georg Lebrecht; duke of Anhalt-Zerbst 1807
1812–1818 Ludwig II … son of Ludwig, son of Karl Georg Lebrecht
1818–1830 Ferdinand … son of Friedrich Erdmann of Köthen-Pless, son of August
1830–1847 Heinrich … brother of Friedrich
12
In exile 1547–1552.
(to Anhalt-Dessau 1847)
Princes of Anhalt in Pless
1765–1797 Friedrich Erdmann … son of prince Karl Georg Lebrecht of Anhalt-Köthen
1797–1818 Ferdinand … son of Friedrich Erdmann; to Anhalt-Köthen 1818–1830
1818–1830 Heinrich … son of Friedrich Erdmann; to Anhalt-Köthen 1830–1847
1830–1841 Ludwig … son of Friedrich Erdmann
(to Anhalt-Köthen 1841)
Princes of Anhalt in Zerbst
1396–1405 Siegmund I … son of prince Johann I of Anhalt-Köthen; in Köthen 1382–1396
1405–1414 Waldemar IV … son of Siegmund I; to Anhalt-Köthen 1414–1416
& 1405–1414 Georg I … son of Siegmund I; to Anhalt-Köthen 1414–1474
& 1405–1414 Siegmund II … son of Siegmund I; to Anhalt-Köthen 1414–1450
& 1405–1414 Albrecht V … son of Siegmund I; to Anhalt-Köthen 1414–1469
1414–1423 Albrecht IV … brother of Siegmund I; in Köthen 1382–1414
1423–1436 Waldemar V … son of Albrecht IV
& 1423–1473 Adolf I … son of Albrecht IV
& 1423–1475 Albrecht VI … son of Albrecht IV
1473–1508 Magnus … son of Adolf I; abdicated, died 1524
& 1473–1508 Adolf II … son of Adolf I; abdicated; bishop of Merseburg 1514–1526
1475–1500 Philipp … son of Albrecht VI
1508–1562 Wolfgang,
the Confessor … son of prince Waldemar VI of Anhalt-Köthen; abdicated, died 1566
1562–1603 (to
Anhalt-Köthen)
1603–1621 Rudolf IV … son of prince Joachim Ernst of Anhalt-Köthen; in Köthen 1586–1603
1621–1667 Johann III … son of Rudolf IV
1667–1718 Karl Wilhelm … son of Johann III
Anton Günther … son of Johann III; associated in Mühlingen 1667–1714
Johann Ludwig I … son of Johann III; associated in Dornburg 1667–1704
Johann August … son of Johann Ludwig I; associated in Dornburg 1704–1709
Johann Ludwig II … son of Johann Ludwig I; associated in Dornburg 1709–1746
1718–1742 Johann August … son of Karl Wilhelm
1742–1747 Christian August … son of Johann Ludwig I
1747–1793 Friedrich August … son of Christian August
(divided between Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Dessau 1793)
Princes and dukes of Anhalt in Dessau
1603–1618 Johann Georg I … son of prince Joachim Ernst of Anhalt-Köthen; in Köthen 1586–1603
1618–1660 Johann Kasimir … son of Johann Georg I
& 1618–1632 Georg Aribert … son of Johann Georg I; to Anhalt-Wörlitz 1632–1643
1660–1693 Johann
Georg
II
… son of Johann Kasimir
1693–1747 Leopold I … son of Johann Georg II
1747–1751 Leopold II … son of Leopold I
1751–1817 Leopold III … son of Leopold II; duke of Anhalt-Dessau 1807
1817–1863 Leopold IV … son of Friedrich, son of Leopold III; duke of Anhalt 1863–1871
Dukes of Anhalt
1863–1871 Leopold I … former duke of Anhalt-Dessau 1817–1863
1871–1904 Friedrich I … son of Leopold I
1904–1918 Friedrich II … son of Friedrich I
1918 Eduard … son of Friedrich I
1918 Joachim Ernst … son of Eduard; deposed, died 1947
(to Germany 1918)
Princes of Anhalt in Wörlitz
1632–1643 Georg Aribert … son of prince Johann Georg I of Anhalt-Dessau
1643–1677 Christian Aribert … son of Georg Aribert
(to Anhalt-Dessau 1677)
Princes of Anhalt in Plötzkau
1603–1653 August … son of prince Joachim Ernst of Anhalt-Köthen; in Köthen 1586–1603
1653–1654 Ernst Gottlieb … son of August
& 1653–1665 Lebrecht … son of August; to Anhalt-Köthen 1665–1669
& 1653–1669 Emanuel … son of August; to Anhalt-Köthen 1669–1670
(to Anhalt-Bernburg 1669)
BADE (BADEN)
The margraves of Bade originated from the Swabian ducal house of Zähringen. The title of margrave originated
with Hermann I, who served as margrave of Verona 1073–1074. By 1112 his son Hermann II reigned as
margrave of Baden. After several partitions among subsidiary lines, Baden was divided between two main lines
of margraves, those of Bade-Bade and Bade-Durlach. With the extinction of the line of Bade-Bade in 1771, the
line of Bade-Durlach reunited the family possessions. In 1803 the margrave of Bade received the title of elector
of the Holy Roman Empire, and on its dissolution in 1806 he became a grand duke. The grand duchy joined
the German Empire in 1871.
Margraves of Bade
House of Bade (Zähringen)
1061–1074 Hermann I … son of duke Berchtold I of Zähringen (Carinthia); margrave of Verona 1073
1074–1130 Hermann II … son of Hermann I; margrave of Bade by 1112
1130–1160 Hermann
III,
the Great … son of Hermann II
1160–1190 Hermann IV … son of Hermann III
1190–1243 Hermann V … son of Hermann IV
Friedrich … son of Hermann IV; associated 1190–1217
1243–1250 Hermann
VI,
the Younger … son of Hermann V
& 1243–1288 Rudolf I … son of Hermann V
1250–1268 Friedrich I … son of Hermann VI
1288–1291 Hermann VII … son of Rudolf I; in Pforzheim-Eberstein
& 1288–1295 Rudolf II … son of Rudolf I; in Durlach-Durmersheim
& 1288–1297 Hesso … son of Rudolf I; in Durlach-Besigheim
& 1288–1332 Rudolf III … son of Rudolf I
1291–1333 Friedrich II … son of Hermann VII; in Eberstein
& 1291–1348 Rudolf IV … son of Hermann VII; in Pforzheim
& 1291–1300 Hermann VIII … son of Hermann VII; in Grötzingen
1297–1335 Rudolf Hesso … son of Hesso; in Durlach-Besigheim
1333–1353 Hermann IX … son of Friedrich II; in Eberstein
1348–1353 Friedrich
III,
the Peaceful … son of Rudolf IV; in Bade
& 1348–1361 Rudolf V, the Waker … son of Rudolf IV; in Pforzheim
1353–1372 Rudolf
VI,
the Tall … son of Friedrich III; in Bade 1353, in Pforzheim 1361
1372–1391 Rudolf VII … son of Rudolf VI; , in Pforzheim 1372, in Bade 1380
& 1372–1431 Bernhard I … son of Rudolf VI; in Bade 1372, in Durlach 1380, in Pforzheim 1391
1431–1453 Jakob I … son of Bernhard I
1453–1454 Georg … son of Jakob I; abdicated, died 1484
& 1453–1458 Bernhard II, the Blessed … son of Jakob I; in Pforzheim-Eberstein
& 1453–1475 Karl I … son of Jakob I; in Durlach 1453, in Pforzehim-Eberstein 1458
1475–1488 Albrecht … son of Karl I; in Hachberg 1482
& 1475–1515 Christoph I … son of Karl I; in Bade 1482, in Hachberg 1488; abdicated, died 1527
& 1475–1517 Friedrich IV … son of Karl I; bishop of Utrecht since 1496
1515–1535 Bernhard III … son of Christoph I; to Bade-Bade 1535–1536
& 1515–1533 Philipp I … son of Christoph I
& 1515–1535 Ernst … son of Christoph I; to Bade-Durlach 1535–1552, died 1553
(division into Bade-Bade and Bade-Durlach 1535)
Margraves of Bade in Hachberg
1212–1231 Heinrich I … son of margrave Hermann IV of Bade
1231–1289 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich I; abdicated, died 1297
1289–1330 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich II
1330–c.1369 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich III
c.1369–1386 Otto I … son of Heinrich IV; associated 1364
& c.1369–1411 Johann … son of Heinrich IV
& c.1369–c.1410 Hesso … son of Heinrich IV
c.1410–1415 Otto II … son of Hesso; sold margraviate, died 1418
(to Bade 1415)
Margraves of Bade in Sausenberg
1289–1313 Rudolf I … son of margrave Heinrich II of Bade-Hachberg
1313–c.1320 Heinrich … son of Rudolf I
& 1313–1356 Rudolf II … son of Rudolf I
& 1313–1387 Otto … son of Rudolf I
1356–1428 Rudolf III … son of Rudolf II
Rudolf … son of Rudolf III; associated 1393–1420
1428–1441 Wilhelm … son of Rudolf III; abdicated, died 1482
1441–1445 Hugo … son of Wilhelm
& 1441–1487 Rudolf IV … son of Wilhelm
1487–1503 Philipp … son of Rudolf IV
(to Bade 1503)
Margraves of Bade in Bade
1535–1536 Bernhard III … son of margrave Christoph I of Bade; previously there
1536–1569 Philibert … son of Bernhard III
& 1537–1556 Christoph II … posthumous son of Bernhard III; to Sponheim-Rodemachern 1556–1575
1569–1588 Philipp II … son of Philibert
1588–1596 Eduard Fortunatus … son of Christoph II; deposed; in Sponheim-Rodemachern 1575–1600
1596–1622 (to
Bade-Durlach)
1622–1677 Wilhelm … son of Eduard Fortunatus; in Rodemachern 1600–1622
Hermann … son of Eduard Fortunatus; in Rodemachern 1622–1665
Karl Wilhelm … son of Hermann; in Rodemachern 1665–1666
1677–1707 Ludwig Wilhelm … son of Ferdinand Maximilian, son of Wilhelm
1707–1761 Ludwig Georg … son of Ludwig Wilhelm
1761–1771 August Georg … son of Ludwig Wilhelm
(to Bade-Durlach 1771)
Margraves of Bade in Durlach
1535–1552 Ernst … son of margrave Christoph I of Bade; previously there; abdicated, died 1553
1552–1553 Bernhard IV … son of Ernst
& 1552–1577 Karl II … son of Ernst
1577–1604 Ernst Friedrich … son of Karl II
& 1577–1590 Jakob II … son of Karl II
& 1577–1622 Georg Friedrich … son of Karl II; abdicated, died 1638
1590–1591 Ernst Jakob … posthumous son of Jakob II
1622–1659 Friedrich V … son of Georg Friedrich
1659–1677 Friedrich VI … son of Friedrich V
1677–1709 Friedrich
Magnus … son of Friedrich VI
1709–1738 Karl Wilhelm … son of Friedrich Magnus
1738–1803 Karl Friedrich … son of Friedrich, son of Karl Wilhelm; elector 1803–1806, then grand
duke 1806–1811
Electors and Grand Dukes of Bade
1803–1811 Karl Friedrich … margrave of Bade-Durlach 1738–1803; elector 1803, grand duke 1806
1811–1818 Karl I … son of Karl Ludwig, son of Karl Friedrich
1818–1830 Ludwig I … son of Karl Friedrich
1830–1852 Leopold I … son of Karl Friedrich
1852–1856 Ludwig II … son of Leopold I; deposed, died 1858
1856–1907 Friedrich I … son of Leopold I; regent since 1852
1907–1918 Friedrich II … son of Friedrich I; deposed, died 1928
(republic; to Germany 1918)
BAVARIA (BAYERN)
The old tribal duchy of the Baiovari fell within the sphere of Frankish influence and was annexed by the Franks
in 788. Thereafter Bavaria formed an important Carolingian sub-kingdom and became the core of the future
East Frankish (German) kingdom. By the mid 890s Bavaria was under the control of margrave Liutpold, whose
son Arnulf became duke in 909, and claimed royal status in about 911–920. The dukes of the Liutpolding
house were gradually replaced by a series of relatives and appointees of the German kings, and on occasion by the
kings themselves. From 1070 the ducal throne was virtually monopolized by the Este branch of the Welf family,
which came into conflict with its royal suzerains and was permanently deposed in 1180. The duchy was then
transformed into a hereditary fief of the house of Wittelsbach, which descended from the Liutpoldings. The
Wittelsbach dukes of Bavaria became electors of the Holy Roman Empire in 1623 (replacing their cousins in the
Rhine Palatinate), and Karl Albert was elected emperor 1742–1745. On the extinction of this branch of the
Wittelsbach dynasty, Bavaria passed to the electors of the Palatinate. In 1805 the elector Maximilian IV Joseph
became king of Bavaria as Maximilian I. In 1871 the kingdom joined the German Empire.
Dukes of Bavaria
Liutpolding House of Bavaria
895–907 Liutpold … margrave in Bavaria and Carinthia
907–937 Arnulf,
the Bad … son of Liutpold; in exile 914–917
937–938 Eberhard … son of Arnulf; deposed, died c.940
938–947 Berthold … son of Liutpold
Liudolfing House of Saxony
947–955 Heinrich I … husband of Judith, daughter of Arnulf; son of king Heinrich I of Germany
955–976 Heinrich
II,
the Wrangler … son of Heinrich I; deposed
976–982 Otto I … son of duke Liudolf of Swabia, son of emperor Otto I, brother of Heinrich I
Liutpolding House of Bavaria
982–985 Heinrich III … son of Berthold; deposed, died 989
Liudolfing House of Saxony
985–995 Heinrich
II,
the Wrangler … restored
995–1004 Heinrich
IV,
the Holy
13
… son of Heinrich II; abdicated, German king 1002–1024
House of Luxembourg
1004–1009 Heinrich V … son of count Sigefroy of Luxembourg; deposed
Liudolfing House of Saxony
1009–1017 Heinrich
IV,
the Holy … restored; abdicated, German king 1002–1024
House of Luxembourg
1017–1026 Heinrich V … restored
Salian House of Franconia
1027–1042 Heinrich
VI,
the Black … son of emperor Konrad II; abdicated, German king 1039–1056
House of Luxembourg
1042–1047 Heinrich VII … son of count Frédéric I of Luxembourg, brother of Heinrich V
Salian House of Franconia
1047–1049 Heinrich
VI,
the Black … restored; abdicated, German king 1039–1056
Ezzonid House of Lorraine
1049–1053 Konrad I … son of count Liudolf of Zütphen, brother of duke Otto II of Swabia; deposed,
died 1055
Salian House of Franconia
1053–1055 Heinrich VIII … son of Heinrich VI; replaced; German king 1056–1105
1055 Konrad
II,
the Child … son of Heinrich VI
1056–1061 Agnes of Poitiers … widow of Heinrich VI; daughter of duke Guillaume V of Aquitaine;
abdicated, died 1077
House of Northeim
1061–1070 Otto II … son of count Benno of Northeim; deposed, died 1083
Welf House of Este
1070–1077 Welf I … husband of Ethelind, daughter of Otto II; son of marquis Azzo II of Este; deposed
Salian House of Franconia
1077–1096 Heinrich VIII … restored; abdicated; German king 1056–1105, died 1106
Welf House of Este
1096–1101 Welf I … restored
1101–1120 Welf
II,
the Fat … son of Welf I
1120–1126 Heinrich
IX,
the Black … son of Welf I
1126–1138 Heinrich
X,
the Proud … son of Heinrich IX; deposed, died 1139
Babenberg House of Austria
1139–1141 Leopold … son of margrave Leopold III of Austria by Agnes, daughter of Heinrich VIII
Hohenstaufen House of Swabia
1141–1143 Konrad III … son of duke Friedrich I of Swabia by Agnes, daughter of Heinrich VIII;
German king 1138–1152
Babenberg House of Austria
1143–1156 Heinrich
XI,
Jasomirgott … brother of Leopold; replaced, died 1177
Welf House of Este
1156–1180 Heinrich
XII,
the Lion … son of Heinrich X; deposed, died 1195
(to the Wittelsbach dukes of Bavaria 1180)
Wittelsbach Dukes of Bavaria
House of Wittelsbach
1180–1183 Otto I … son of count Otto IV of Wittelsbach
1183–1231 Ludwig
I,
of Kelheim … son of Otto I
13
Canonized as saint 1146.
1231–1253 Otto
II, the Illustrious … son of Ludwig I
1253–1255 Ludwig
II,
the Strict … son of Otto II; to Upper Bavaria 1255–1294
& 1253–1255 Heinrich I … son of Otto II; to Lower Bavaria 1255–1290
(division into Upper Bavaria and Lower Bavaria 1255)
Dukes in Upper Bavaria
1255–1294 Ludwig
II,
the Strict … son of duke Otto II of Bavaria; Bavaria 1253–1255
1294–1317 Rudolf,
the Stammerer … son of Ludwig II; deposed, died 1319
& 1294–1347 Ludwig IV, the Bavarian … son of Ludwig II; German king 1314–1347; united Bavaria 1340
1347–1361 Ludwig
V,
the Elder … son of Ludwig IV; in Upper Bavaria 1349
& 1347–1349 Stephan II … son of Ludwig IV; to Bavaria-Straubing 1349–1353, Bavaria-Landshut 1353–1375
& 1347–1365 Ludwig VI, the Roman … son of Ludwig IV; in Upper Bavaria 1349
& 1347–1349 Wilhelm I, the Mad … son of Ludwig IV; to Bavaria-Straubing 1349–1389
& 1347–1349 Albrecht I … son of Ludwig IV; to Bavaria-Straubing 1349–1404
& 1347–1379 Otto V, the Indolent … son of Ludwig IV; in Upper Bavaria 1349
1361–1363 Meinhard … son of Ludwig V
(to Bavaria-Landshut 1363)
Dukes in Lower Bavaria
1255–1290 Heinrich I … son of duke Otto II of Bavaria; Bavaria 1253–1255
1290–1312 Otto III … son of Heinrich I
& 1290–1296 Ludwig III … son of Heinrich I
& 1290–1310 Stephan I … son of Heinrich I
1310–1339 Heinrich
II,
the Elder … son of Stephan I
& 1310–1334 Otto IV … son of Stephan I
1312–1333 Heinrich
III,
of Natternberg … son of Otto III
1339–1340 Johann
I,
the Child … son of Heinrich II
1340–1349 (to Upper Bavaria 1340)
Dukes of Bavaria in Straubing
1349–1353 Stephan II … son of duke Ludwig IV of Upper Bavaria; to Bavaria-Landshut 1353–1375
& 1349–1389 Wilhelm I, the Mad … brother of Stephan II; Straubing 1353
& 1349–1404 Albrecht I … brother of Stephan II; Straubing 1353
Albrecht
II,
the Younger … son of Albrecht I; associated 1391–1397
1404–1417 Wilhelm II … son of Albrecht I; associated 1394
1417–1425 Johann
III,
the Pitiless … son of Albrecht I; bishop of Liège until 1418
Dukes of Bavaria in Landshut
1353–1375 Stephan II … son of duke Ludwig IV of Upper Bavaria; Bavaria 1347–1349, Straubing
1349–1353
1375–1392 Stephan III … son of Stephan II; to Bavaria-Ingolstadt 1392–1413
& 1375–1393 Friedrich, the Wise … son of Stephan II; Landshut 1392
& 1375–1392 Johann II, the Meek … son of Stephan II; to Bavaria-Munich 1392–1397
1393–1450 Heinrich
IV,
the Rich … son of Friedrich
1450–1479 Ludwig
IX,
the Rich … son of Heinrich IV
1479–1503 Georg,
the Rich … son of Ludwig IX
1503–1504 Ruprecht,
the Virtuous … husband of Elisabeth, daughter of Georg; son of elector Philipp of
the Palatinate
(to Bavaria-Munich 1504)
Dukes of Bavaria in Ingolstadt
1392–1413 Stephan III … son of duke Stephan II of Bavaria-Landshut; Landshut 1375–1392
1413–1441 Ludwig
VII,
the Bearded … son of Stephan III; deposed, died 1447
1441–1445 Ludwig
VIII,
the Hunchback … son of Ludwig VII
(to Bavaria-Landshut 1445)
Dukes of Bavaria in Munich (München)
1392–1397 Johann
II, the Meek … son of duke Stephan II of Bavaria-Landshut; Landshut 1375–1392
1397–1438 Ernst,
the Forceful … son of Johann II
& 1397–1435 Wilhelm III … son of Johann II
1438–1460 Albrecht
III,
the Pious … son of Ernst
1460–1463 Johann
IV,
the Truthful … son of Albrecht III; in Munich
& 1460–1467 Sigismund, the Generous … son of Albrecht III; in Dachau; abdicated, died 1501
& 1460–1508 Albrecht IV, the Wise … son of Albrecht III
1508–1550 Wilhelm
IV,
the Steadfast … son of Albrecht IV; in Munich
& 1508–1545 Ludwig X … son of Albrecht IV; in Landshut
1550–1579 Albrecht
V,
the Magnificent … son of Wilhelm IV
1579–1597 Wilhelm
V,
the Pious … son of Albrecht V; abdicated, died 1626
1597–1623 Maximilian … son of Wilhelm V; elector 1623–1651
Electors of Bavaria
1623–1651 Maximilian I … former duke of Bavaria 1597–1623
1651–1679 Ferdinand Maria … son of Maximilian I
1679–1704 Maximilian II Emanuel … son of Ferdinand Maria; deposed; Luxembourg 1712–1714
1704–1714 (to the Empire)
1714–1726 Maximilian II Emanuel … restored
1726–1745 Karl Albert … son of Maximilian II; emperor 1742–1745
1745–1777 Maximilian III Joseph … son of Karl Albert
Line of Palatinate-Sulzbach
1777–1799 Karl Theodor … son of duke Johann Christian of Sulzbach, son of duke Theodor, son of
duke Christian, son of duke August, son of duke Philipp Ludwig of Neuburg, son of
duke Wolfgang of Zweibrücken, son of duke Ludwig II, son of duke Alexander, son of
duke Ludwig I, son of duke Stephan of Simmern, son of king Ruprecht, son of elector
Ruprecht II of the Palatinate, son of Adolf, son of duke Rudolf of Upper Bavaria
Line of Palatinate-Zweibrücken
1799–1805 Maximilian IV Joseph … son of Friedrich Michael, son of duke Christian III of
Zweibrücken, son of duke Christian II of Birkenfeld, son of duke Christian I, son of
duke Karl, son of duke Wolfgang of Zweibrücken, son of duke Ludwig II, son of duke
Alexander, son of duke Ludwig I, son of duke Stephan of Simmern, son of king
Ruprecht, son of elector Ruprecht II of the Palatinate, son of Adolf, son of duke Rudolf
of Upper Bavaria; king of Bavaria 1805–1825
Kings of Bavaria
1805–1825 Maximilian I … former elector of Bavaria 1799–1805
1825–1848 Ludwig I … son of Maximilian I; abdicated, died 1868
1848–1864 Maximilian II … son of Ludwig I
1864–1886 Ludwig II … son of Maximilian II
1886–1913 Otto I … son of Maximilian II; deposed, died 1916
1913–1918 Ludwig III … son of Luitpold,
14
son of Ludwig I; regent since 1912; deposed, died 1921
(republic; to Germany 1918)
14
Luitpold was regent of Bavaria 1886–1912.
BRANDENBURG-PRUSSIA (PREUSSEN)
Brandenburg originally belonged to the Saxon North March (Nordmark). In 1134 margrave Albrecht the Bear
took the title of margrave of Brandenburg. On the extinction of the Ascanian house in 1320, emperor
Ludwig V invested his own son with the march, which thus passed to the house of Wittelsbach. The
Wittelsbach margrave of Brandenburg became an elector of the Holy Roman Empire in 1356, but in 1373
elector Otto abdicated in favor of emperor Karl IV. The emperor invested his own son Sigismund with the
electorate, which thus passed to the house of Luxemburg. In 1415 elector Sigismund, now emperor, appointed
Friedrich I of Hohenzollern as margrave, and in 1417 also as elector. The indivisibility of the electorate greatly
enhanced the power and wealth of the Hohenzollerns, but junior members of the family were invested with the
Franconian principalities of Bayreuth-Kulmbach and Ansbach, until these territories passed back to
Brandenburg-Prussia in 1791. The Hohenzollern electors inherited the duchy of Prussia in 1618, and from
1701 obtained the title “king in Prussia” (i.e., outside the frontiers of the Holy Roman Empire), changed in
1772 to “king of Prussia.” In 1871 king Wilhelm I of Prussia became German emperor and the cornerstone
power in the new German empire. His two successors retained the dual status of kings of Prussia and German
emperors, until the end of the monarchy in 1918.
Ascanian Margraves of Brandenburg
Ascanian House
1134–1170 Albrecht
I,
the Bear … son of count Otto of Ballenstedt
1170–1184 Otto I … son of Albrecht I
1184–1205 Otto
II,
the Liberal … son of Otto I
1205–1220 Albrecht II … son of Otto I
1220–1259 Johann I … son of Albrecht II; to Brandenburg-Stendal 1259–1266
& 1220–1259 Otto III, the Pious … son of Albrecht II; to Brandenburg-Salzwedel 1259–1267
(division into Brandenburg-Stendal and Brandenburg-Salzwedel 1259)
Margraves of Brandenburg in Stendal
1259–1266 Johann I … son of margrave Albrecht II of Brandenburg; Brandenburg 1220–1259
1266–1281 Johann II … son of Johann I; in Krossen
& 1266–1308 Otto IV … son of Johann I
& 1266–1304 Konrad … son of Johann I; in Landsberg
& 1266–1318 Heinrich, Lackland … son of Johann I
1304–1305 Johann IV … son of Konrad; associated 1286
Otto VII … son of Konrad; associated 1291–1297; abdicated, died 1308
& 1304–1319 Waldemar, the Great … son of Konrad
1318–1320 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich I
(to German kingdom 1320–1324)
Margraves of Brandenburg in Salzwedel
1259–1267 Otto
III,
the Pious … son of margrave Albrecht II of Brandenburg; Brandenburg 1220–
1259
1267–1268 Johann
III,
the Righteous … son of Otto III
& 1267–1299 Otto V, the Tall … son of Otto III
& 1267–1300 Albrecht III … son of Otto III; in Stargard
& 1267–1286 Otto VI, the Short … son of Otto III; abdicated, died 1303
1299–1308 Hermann,
the Tall … son of Otto V; associated 1295
1308–1317 Johann V … son of Hermann
(to
Brandenburg-Stendal
1317)
Wittelsbach and Luxemburg Margraves and Electors of Brandenburg
Wittelsbach House of Bavaria
1324–1351 Ludwig
I,
the Elder … son of emperor Ludwig V; abdicated, died 1361
1351–1365 Ludwig
II,
the Roman … brother of Ludwig I; elector from 1356
1365–1373 Otto, the Indolent … brother of Ludwig I; abdicated, died 1379
House of Luxemburg (Bohemia)
1373–1378 Wenzel … son of emperor Karl IV; German king 1378–1400; abdicated, died 1419
1378–1397 Sigismund … brother of Wenzel; abdicated; German king 1410–1437
Johann … brother of Sigismund; associated 1378–1396
1397–1411 Jobst … son of margrave Jan Jindřich of Moravia, brother of emperor Karl IV; regent since 1393
1411–1417 Sigismund … restored; German king 1410–1437; sold march to the Hohenzollerns 1415,
abdicated electorate 1417
Hohenzollern Electors of Brandenburg, also Dukes of Prussia (1618)
House of Hohenzollern
1417–1440 Friedrich I … son of burgrave Friedrich V of Nürnberg; margrave since 1415; elector 1417
1440–1470 Friedrich II … son of Friedrich I; abdicated, died 1471
Friedrich,
the Fat … son of Friedrich I; associated as margrave in Altmark 1447–1463
1470–1486 Albrecht,
Achilles … son of Friedrich I
1486–1499 Johann,
Cicero … son of Albrecht
1499–1535 Joachim
I,
Nestor … son of Johann
1535–1571 Joachim II, Hektor … son of Joachim I
Johann,
the Wise … son of Joachim I; associated as margrave in Küstrin 1535–1571
1571–1598 Johann Georg … son of Joachim II
1598–1608 Joachim Friedrich … son of Johann Georg
1608–1619 Johann Sigismund … son of Joachim Friedrich; also duke of Prussia from 1618
1619–1640 Georg Wilhelm … son of Johann Sigismund
1640–1688 Friedrich
Wilhelm … son of Georg Wilhelm
1688–1701 Friedrich III … son of Friedrich Wilhelm; king in Prussia 1701–1713
Kings in Prussia, kings of Prussia (1772), also Germany emperors (1871)
1701–1713 Friedrich I … former margrave and elector of Brandenburg 1688–1701
1713–1740 Friedrich
Wilhelm I … son of Friedrich I
1740–1786 Friedrich
II,
the Great … son of Friedrich Wilhelm I
1786–1797 Friedrich Wilhelm II … son of August Wilhelm, son of Friedrich Wilhelm I
1797–1840 Friedrich Wilhelm III … son of Friedrich Wilhelm II
1840–1861 Friedrich Wilhelm IV … son of Friedrich Wilhelm III
1861–1888 Wilhelm I … son of Friedrich Wilhelm III; regent since 1858; German emperor 1871
1888 Friedrich III … son of Wilhelm I; also German emperor
1888–1918 Wilhelm II … son of Friedrich III; also German emperor; deposed, died 1941
(republic; to Germany 1918)
Margraves of Brandenburg in Bayreuth and in Kulmbach
1338–1440 (to the Hohenzollern burgraves of Nürnberg and electors of Brandenburg)
1440–1464 Johann, the Alchemist … son of elector Friedrich I of Brandenburg
1464–1486 Albrecht I (of Brandenburg) … brother of Johann
1486–1495 Sigismund … son of Albrecht I
1495–1536 Friedrich I (of Ansbach) … son of Albrecht I
Kasimir … son of Friedrich I; associated in Kulmbach 1515–1527
1536–1557 Albrecht
II,
Alcibiades … son of Kasimir; associated in Kulmbach since 1527
1557–1603 Georg Friedrich … son of margrave Georg of Ansbach, son of Friedrich I
1603–1655 Christian … son of elector Johann Georg of Brandenburg
1655–1712 Christian Ernst … son of Erdmann August, son of Christian
Georg Albrecht … son of Christian; associated in Kulmbach 1655–1666
Christian Heinrich … son of Georg Albrecht; associated in Kulmbach 1666–1708
1712–1726 Georg Wilhelm … son of Christian Ernst
1726–1735 Georg Friedrich Karl … son of Christian Heinrich; associated in Kulmbach since 1708
1735–1763 Friedrich II … son of Georg Friedrich Karl
1763–1769 Friedrich
Christian
… son of Christian Heinrich
(to Brandenburg-Ansbach 1769, to Brandeburg-Prussia 1791)
Margraves of Brandenburg in Ansbach
1331–1486 (to the Hohenzollern burgraves of Nürnberg and electors of Brandenburg)
1486–1536 Friedrich
I,
the Old … son of elector Albrecht of Brandenburg
1536–1543 Georg,
the Pious … son of Friedrich I
1543–1603 Georg Friedrich I … son of Georg
1603–1625 Joachim Ernst … son of elector Johann Georg of Brandenburg
1625–1634 Friedrich II … son of Joachim Ernst
1634–1667 Albrecht … son of Joachim Ernst
1667–1686 Johann Friedrich … son of Albrecht
1686–1692 Christian Albrecht … son of Johann Friedrich
1692–1703 Georg Friedrich II … son of Johann Friedrich
1703–1723 Wilhelm
Friedrich
… son of Johann Friedrich
1723–1757 Karl
Wilhelm
Friedrich … son of Wilhelm Friedrich
1757–1791 Karl Alexander … son of Karl Wilhelm Friedrich; abdicated, died 1806
(to Brandenburg-Prussia 1791, to Bavaria 1807)
BRUNSWICK-LÜNEBURG (BRAUNSCHWEIG-LÜNEBURG)
After duke Heinrich the Lion of Saxony was deposed in Saxony and Bavaria in 1180, he retained possession of
his personal estates and counties in Lower Saxony. These lands were united in the hands of his grandson Otto
the Child, who was granted the title of duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1235. The inheritance was divided
between numerous branches of the family, with the tendency to form two major lines centered on Brunswick
and Wolfenbüttel in one case and Lüneburg and Celle in the other. In 1692 the duke of Lüneburg became
elector of Hanover (in 1714 this line came to the throne of Great Britain). The other major branch of the
dynasty retained the duchy of Brunswick until it became extinct in 1884 and was eventually inherited by the
then dispossessed heir of Hanover. Both Hanover and Brunswick entered the German Empire in 1871.
Counts in Lower Saxony
Welf House of Este
1180–1195 Heinrich
I,
the Lion … former duke of Saxony 1142–1180
1195–1227 Heinrich
II,
the Tall … son of Heinrich I; in Hanover
& 1195–1218 Otto I … son of Heinrich I; in Brunswick; German king 1198–1218
& 1195–1213 Wilhelm, the Old … son of Heinrich I; in Lüneburg
1213–1235 Otto
II,
the Child … son of Wilhelm; duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg 1235–1252
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1235–1252 Otto
I,
the Child … son of Wilhelm; former count in Lower Saxony 1213–1235
1252–1267 Albrecht
I,
the Great … son of Otto I; to Brunswick 1267–1279
& 1252–1267 Johann … son of Otto I; to Lüneburg 1267–1277
(division into Brunswick and Lüneburg 1267)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Brunswick (Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel)
Old Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Brunswick
1267–1279 Albrecht
I,
the Great … son of duke Otto I of Brunswick-Lüneburg; 1252–1267
1279–1286 Heinrich, the Singular … son of Albrecht I; to Grubenhagen 1286–1322
& 1279–1292 Wilhelm … son of Albrecht I; in Wolfenbüttel
1292–1318 Abrecht
II,
the Fat … son of Albrecht I; associated 1279; in Göttingen 1286
1318–1369 Magnus
I,
the Pious … son of Albrecht II
1369–1373 Magnus
II,
Torquatus … son of Magnus I; associated 1345
1373–1400 Friedrich … son of Magnus II
1400–1428 Bernhard … son of Magnus II; to Lüneburg 1428–1434
New Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Brunswick
1428–1482 Wilhelm
I,
the Victorious … son of duke Heinrich I of Lüneburg, son of Magnus II
Heinrich,
the Pacific … brother of Wilhelm I; associated 1428–1473
1482–1495 Wilhelm
II,
the Younger … son of Wilhelm I; associated 1447; abdicated, died 1503
& 1482–1484 Friedrich, the Turbulent … son of Wilhelm I; associated 1447; to Calenberg 1484–1485;
died 1495
1495–1514 Heinrich
I,
the Elder … son of Wilhelm II; associated 1491
1514–1568 Heinrich
II,
the Younger … son of Heinrich I
1568–1589 Julius … son of Heinrich II
1589–1613 Heinrich Julius … son of Julius
1613–1634 Friedrich Ulrich … son of Heinrich Julius
Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Dannenberg
1635–1666 August,
the Younger … son of duke Heinrich of Dannenberg
1666–1704 Rudolf August … son of August
1704–1714 Anton Ulrich … son of August; associated 1685
1714–1731 August
Wilhelm
… son of Anton Ulrich
1731–1735 Ludwig Rudolf … son of Anton Ulrich
Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Bevern
1735 Ferdinand Albrecht II … son of duke Ferdinand Albrecht I of Bevern, son of August
1735–1780 Karl I … son of Ferdinand Albrecht II
1780–1806 Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand … son of Karl I
1806–1807 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand; deposed
1807–1813 (to
Westphalia)
1813–1815 Friedrich Wilhelm … restored
1815–1830 Karl II … son of Friedrich Wilhelm; deposed, died 1873
1830–1884 Wilhelm … son of Friedrich Wilhelm
1885–1906 (regency of Albrecht, son of Albrecht, son of king Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia)
1907–1913 (regency of Johann Albrecht, son of grand duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-
Schwerin; resigned, died 1920)
Line of Hanover
1913–1918 Ernst August … son of Ernst August, son of king Georg V of Hanover; deposed, died 1953
(republic; to Germany 1918)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Lüneburg
Old Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Lüneburg
1267–1277 Johann … son of duke Otto I of Brunswick-Lüneburg; in Brunswick 1252–1267
1277–1330 Otto
II,
the Severe … son of Johann
1330–1352 Otto III … son of Otto II
& 1330–1369 Wilhelm … son of Otto II
Ascanian House of Saxe-Wittenberg
1369–1385 Albrecht … adopted son of Wilhelm; son of Otto of Saxe-Wittenberg
15
by Elisabeth,
daughter of Wilhelm
1385–1388 Wenzel … son of duke Rudolf I of Saxe-Wittenberg, father of Otto, father of Albrecht (above)
Middle Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Lüneburg
1388–1409 Bernhard I … son of duke Magnus II of Brunswick; abdicated
& 1388–1416 Heinrich I, the Mild … brother of Bernhard I
1416–1428 Wilhelm
I,
the Victorious … son of Heinrich I; to Calenberg 1432–1482
& 1416–1428 Heinrich II, the Younger … son of Heinrich I; to Brunswick 1428–1473
1428–1434 Bernhard I … restored
1434–1441 Friedrich
I,
the Pious … son of Bernhard I; abdicated
& 1434–1446 Otto I, the Lame … son of Bernhard I; associated 1428
1446–1457 Friedrich
I,
the Pious … restored; abdicated, died 1478
1457–1464 Bernhard II … son of Friedrich I
& 1457–1471 Otto II, the Magnanimous … son of Friedrich I
1471–1520 Heinrich
III,
the Middle … son of Otto II; abdicated, died 1532
1520–1527 Otto III … son of Heinrich III; to Harburg 1527–1549
& 1520–1546 Ernst I, the Confessor … son of Heinrich III
& 1536–1539 Franz … son of Heinrich III; to Gifhorn 1539–1549
1546–1559 Franz Otto … son of Ernst I
& 1546–1559 Heinrich IV … son of Ernst I; to Dannenberg 1559–1598
1559–1592 Wilhelm
II,
the Pious … son of Ernst I; associated since 1546
1592–1611 Ernst II … son of Wilhelm II
1611–1633 Christian … son of Wilhelm II; associated 1592
1633–1636 August, the Elder … son of Wilhelm II; associated 1592
1636–1648 Friedrich II … son of Wilhelm II; associated 1592
New Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Lüneburg (Celle)
1648–1665 Christian Ludwig … son of duke Georg of Calenberg, son of Wilhelm II
1665 Johann Friedrich … brother of Christian Ludwig; to Calenberg 1665–1679
1665–1705 Georg Wilhelm … brother of Christian Ludwig
(to
Hanover
1705)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Grubenhagen
1286–1322 Heinrich
I,
the Singular … son of duke Albrecht I of Brunswick; in Brunswick 1279–1286
1322–1351 Heinrich
II,
the Greek … son of Heinrich I
& 1322–1361 Ernst I … son of Heinrich I; in Einbeck 1324
Wilhelm … son of Heinrich I; associated 1322–1360; in Osterode and Herzberg 1324
Johann … son of Heinrich I; associated 1322–1325; abdicated, died 1367
Otto I … son of Heinrich II; associated 1351–1376; abdicated, died 1399
1361–1383 Albrecht II … son of Ernst I; in Salzderhelden
Johann … son of Ernst I; associated 1361–1364; abdicated, died 1401
Ernst … son of Ernst I; associated 1361–1383; abdicated, died c.1401
Friedrich … son of Ernst I; associated 1361–1421 in Osterode and Herzberg
1383–1427 Erich I … son of Albrecht II; in Salzderhelden
Otto II … son of Friedrich; associated 1421–1452 in Osterode and Herzberg
1427–1464 Heinrich III … son of Erich I
& 1427–1466 Ernst II … son of Erich I; in Einbeck
& 1427–1485 Albrecht III … son of Erich I; in Osterode
1464–1526 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich III
15
Otto was the son of duke Rudolf I of Saxe-Wittenberg.
1485–1551 Philipp I … son of Albrecht III
& 1485–1532 Erich II … son of Albrecht III; bishop of Padeborn and Osnabrück from 1508
1551–1567 Ernst III … son of Philipp I
Johann … son of Philipp I; associated 1551–1557
1567–1595 Wolfgang … son of Philipp I; associated 1551
1595–1596 Philipp II … son of Philipp I; associated 1551
(to Lüneburg 1596)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Göttingen
1286–1318 Albrecht
II,
the Fat … son of duke Albrecht I of Brunswick; Brunswick 1279–1286
1318–1344 Otto
I,
the Liberal … son of Albrecht II
& 1318–1367 Ernst I … son of Albrecht II
Ernst II … son of Ernst I; associated 1355–1363
Albrecht III … son of Ernst I; associated c.1360?–1363
1367–1394 Otto
II,
the Bad … son of Ernst I
1394–1442 Otto
III,
the One-Eyed … son of Otto II; deposed, died 1463
(to Brunswick 1442, to Calenberg 1463)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Calenberg
Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Calenberg
1432–1482 Wilhelm
I,
the Victorious … son of duke Heinrich I of Lüneburg; Lüneburg 1416–1428
1482–1484 Wilhelm
II,
the Younger … son of Wilhelm I; associated 1447; abdicated
1484–1485 Friedrich, the Turbulent … son of Wilhelm I; associated 1447; deposed, died 1495
1485–1495 Wilhelm
II,
the Younger … restored; abdicated, died 1503
1495–1540 Erich I … son of Wilhelm II
1540–1584 Erich II … son of Erich I
1584–1635 (to
Brunswick)
New Line of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Calenberg
1635–1641 Georg … son of duke Wilhelm II of Lüneburg
1641–1648 Christian Ludwig … son of Georg; to Lüneburg (Celle) 1648–1665
1668–1665 Georg Wilhelm … son of Georg; to Lüneburg (Celle) 1665–1705
1665–1679 Johann Wilhelm … son of Georg; in Lüneburg (Celle) 1665
1679–1692 Ernst August … son of Georg; elector of Hanover 1692–1698
(to
Hanover
1692)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Harburg-Moisburg
1527–1549 Otto I … son of duke Heinrich III of Lüneburg; Lüneburg 1520–1527
1549–1603 Otto II … son of Otto I
1603–1642 Wilhelm August … son of Otto II
& 1603–1606 Christoph … son of Otto II
& 1603–1641 Otto III … son of Otto II
(to Lüneburg 1642)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Celle
1527–1546 Ernst
I,
the Confessor … son of duke Heinrich III of Lüneburg; 1520–1527
1546–1592 Wilhelm,
the Pious … son of Ernst I
1592–1611 Ernst II … son of Wilhelm
1611–1633 Christian … son of Wilhelm; associated 1592
1633–1636 August … son of Wilhelm; associated 1592
1636–1648 Friedrich … son of Wilhelm; associated 1592
1648–1665 Christian Ludwig … son of duke Georg of Calenberg, son of Wilhelm
1665 Johann Friedrich … brother of Christian Ludwig; to Calenberg 1665–1679
1665–1705 Georg Wilhelm … brother of Christian Ludwig
(to
Hanover
1705)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Dannenberg
1569–1598 Heinrich … son of duke Ernst I of Lüneburg-Celle; 1559–1569
1598–1636 Julius Ernst … son of Heinrich
(to
Brunswick
1636)
Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Bevern
1666–1687 Ferdinand Albrecht I … son of duke August of Brunswick
1687–1735 Ferdinand Albrecht II … son of Ferdinand Albrecht I; to Brunswick 1735
& 1687–1746 Ernst Ferdinand … son of Ferdinand Albrecht I
1746–1781 August Wilhelm … son of Ernst Ferdinand
1781–1807 Friedrich Karl Ferdinand … son of Ernst Ferdinand; deposed, died 1809
(to Westphalia 1807, to Brunswick 1813)
FRANCONIA (FRANKEN)
One of the tribal duchies that made up the German kingdom at the beginning of the 10
th
century, Franconia
produced the first non-Carolingian king of the East Franks in 911. However, the defeat and death of duke
Eberhard at the hands of king Otto I in 939 resulted in the premature suspension of ducal authority.
Franconia came nominally under the direct authority of the king and experienced a gradual but complete
disintegration as a political unit. Actual power passed to the regional counts and bishops, chief among whom
were the Salian counts of Wormsgau in western Franconia (Rheinfranken) and the bishops of Würzburg in
eastern Franconia (Ostfranken). The Salians and their Hohenstaufen successors were so influential in western
Franconia, that they were informally described as its dukes in some of the sources. The bishops of Würzburg,
on the other hand, were formally granted ducal authority over eastern Franconia in 1168, and continued to
claim this title (more formally from the reign of bishop Johann II) until the bishopric was secularized in 1802.
During the Thirty Years War the Swedes installed Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar as duke of Franconia, but he was
deposed within a year (1733–1734).
Dukes of Franconia
Conradine House of Franconia
892/903–906 Konrad
I,
the Elder … son of (?) count Udo of Lahngau; count (ducal rights) in Franconia
906–918 Konrad II … son of Konrad I; duke 906; German king 911–918
918–939 Eberhard … son of Konrad I
(to the German kingdom 939; disintegration of the duchy
16
)
Counts in West Franconia
Liudolfing House of Saxony
940 Heinrich I (of Bavaria) … son of king Heinrich I of Germany; deposed, died 955
Salian House of Franconia
940–955 Konrad
I,
the Red … son of count Werner of Wormsgau and Speyergau
955–985 Otto … son of Konrad I; deposed
Liudolfing House of Saxony
985–995 Heinrich II (of Bavaria) … son of Heinrich I
Salian House of Franconia
995–1004 Otto … restored
1004–1011 Konrad II … son of Otto
16
West Franconia dominated by the Salian and Hohenstaufen comital families (as listed below), but much of
the lands given to the count palatine of the Rhine in 1093; East Franconia to the bishop of Würzburg.
1011–1030 Konrad III … son of Konrad II; abdicated, died 1039
1030–1039 Konrad IV … son of count Heinrich of Speyer, son of Otto; German king 1024–1039
1039–1056 Heinrich
III,
the Black … son of Konrad IV; German king 1039–1056
1056–1076 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich III; German king 1056–1105, died 1106
1076–1093 Konrad V … son of Heinrich IV; deposed, died 1101
Hohenstaufen House of Swabia
1093–1105 Friedrich I (of Swabia) … husband of Agnes, daughter of Heinrich IV; son of count
Friedrich of Büren
1105–1147 Friedrich II (of Swabia) … son of Friedrich I
1147–1156 Friedrich
III,
Barbarossa … son of Friedrich II; German king 1152–1190
1156–1195 Konrad VI … son of Friedrich II
(to the German kingdom 1195; continued disintegration of the duchy)
Dukes in East Franconia (Rothenburg)
Hohenstaufen House of Swabia
1116–1152 Konrad I … son of duke Friedrich I of Swabia by Agnes, daughter of emperor Heinrich IV;
German king 1138–1152
1152–1167 Friedrich,
of Rothenburg … son of Konrad I
1168–1188 (to the bishops of Würzburg)
1188–1196 Konrad II … son of emperor Friedrich I, son of duke Friedrich II of Swabia, brother of
Konrad I
1196–1198 Philipp,
of Swabia … brother of Konrad II; German king 1198–1208
(to the bishops of Würzburg c.1198)
Duke of Franconia
House of Saxe-Weimar (Wettin)
1633–1634 Bernhard … son of duke Johann of Saxe-Weimar; deposed, died 1639
(to the bishops of Würzburg 1634)
HANOVER (HANNOVER)
The electorate of Hanover traces its origins to the duchy of Calenberg, a division of the lands of Brunswick-
Lüneburg. In 1692 duke Ernst August was recognized as an elector of the Holy Roman Empire. His son
Georg I inherited Lüneburg (Celle) from an uncle in 1705, and became king of Great Britain (George I) in
1714. In Germany the dynasty also obtained Saxe-Lauenburg by inheritance (1702), the duchies of Bremen
and Verden by cession from Sweden (1719), and the bishopric of Osnabrück by its secularization (1803).
However, in 1803–1813, Hanover was occupied by the French and the Prussians. In 1813 the dynasty was
restored, and in 1815 Georg III (also George III of England) was declared king of Hanover. The territory of
the kingdom was solidified by the cession of Saxe-Lauenberg to Prussia, and the acquisition of East Frisia and
the bishopric of Hildesheim in exchange. The personal union with Great Britain was dissolved in 1837 when,
due to the Salic Law of succession, Hanover passed to the eldest surviving son of Georg III, Ernst August,
instead of his niece Victoria. In 1866, having taken the side of Austria against the victorious Prussians,
Hanover was annexed by Prusssia. In 1913 the grandson of the last king of Hanover was finally allowed to
succeed the extinct branch of the dynasty as duke of Brunswick.
Electors and kings of Hanover
Welf House of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1692–1698 Ernst August … son of duke Georg of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Calenberg; Calenberg
1679–1692
1698–1727 Georg I … son of Ernst August; Great Britain 1714–1727
1727–1760 Georg II … son of Georg I; also Great Britain
1760–1803 Georg III … son of Frederick Louis, son of Georg II; Great Britain 1760–1820
1803–1813 (to France 1803, to Prussia 1805, to France 1806, to France and Westphalia 1807)
1813–1820 Georg III … restored; king 1815
1820–1830 Georg IV … son of Georg III; also Great Britain
1830–1837 Wilhelm … son of Georg III; also Great Britain
1837–1851 Ernst August … son of Georg III
1851–1866 Georg V … son of Ernst August; deposed, died 1878
(to
Prussia
1866)
HESSE (HESSEN)
On the extinction of the house of landgraves of Thuringia, its inheritance was contested between the houses of
Brabant and Meissen. While the house of Meissen took over Thuringia proper, by 1263 a branch of the house
of Brabant secured possession of Hesse (Hessen) and also took the title of landgrave. The landgraviate was
divided between the four sons of Philipp I in 1567, which led to the establishment of the two main lines of
Hesse-Cassel (Kassel) and Hesse-Darmstadt. The landgrave of Hesse-Cassel obtained the title of elector in
1803 and kept it in use even after the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. Electoral Hesse was
annexed by Prussia in 1866. The landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt took the title of grand duke in 1806 and the
grand duchy entered the German Empire in 1871.
Landgraves of Hesse
House of Brabant
1263–1308 Heinrich
I,
the Child … son of duke Hendrik II of Brabant by Sophie of Thuringia
1308–1328 Otto … son of Heinrich I; in Upper Hesse (Marburg)
& 1308–1311 Johann … son of Heinrich I; in Lower Hesse (Cassel)
1328–1376 Heinrich
II,
the Iron … son of Otto
Ludwig … son of Otto; associated in Grebenstein 1328–1345
Hermann … son of Otto; associated in Nordeck 1328–1368/1370
Otto,
the Marksman … son of Heinrich II; associated 1340–1366
1376–1413 Hermann,
the Learned … son of Ludwig; associated 1367
1413–1458 Ludwig
I,
the Peaceable … son of Hermann
(division into Cassel and Marburg 1458)
Landgraves in Lower Hesse (Cassel), all Hesse 1500
1458–1471 Ludwig
II,
the Candid … son of Ludwig I of Hesse
1471–1493 Wilhelm I, the Elder … son of Ludwig II; abdicated, died 1515
& 1471–1509 Wilhelm II, the Middle … son of Ludwig II; all Hesse 1500
1509–1567 Philipp
I,
the Magnanimous … son of Wilhelm II
(division into Cassel, Marburg, Rheinfels, and Darmstadt 1567)
Landgraves in Upper Hesse (Marburg)
1458–1483 Heinrich
III,
the Rich … son of Ludwig I of Hesse
Ludwig III … son of Heinrich III; associated 1474–1478
1483–1500 Wilhelm
III,
the Younger … son of Heinrich III
(to Lower Hesse 1500)
Landgraves of Hesse-Cassel (Kassel) and Hesse-Rheinfels
1567–1592 Wilhelm
IV,
the Wise … son of Philipp I of Hesse; in Cassel
& 1567–1583 Philipp II … brother of Wilhelm IV; in Rheinfels
1592–1627 Moritz,
the Learned … son of Wilhelm IV; abdicated, died 1632
1627–1637 Wilhelm
V,
the Steadfast … son of Mortiz; associated 1623
1637–1663 Wilhelm
VI,
the Righteous … son of Wilhelm V
1663–1670 Wilhelm VII … son of Wilhelm VI
1670–1730 Karl … son of Wilhelm VI
1730–1751 Friedrich I … son of Karl; Sweden 1720–1751
1751–1760 Wilhelm VIII … son of Karl; regent since 1730
1760–1785 Friedrich II … son of Wilhelm VIII
1785–1803 Wilhelm IX … son of Friedrich II; elector of Hesse 1803–1821
Electors of Hesse
1803–1807 Wilhelm I … former landgrave of Hesse-Cassel 1785–1803; deposed
1807–1813 (to
Westphalia)
1813–1821 Wilhelm I … restored
1821–1831 Wilhelm II … son of Wilhelm I; abdicated, died 1847
1831–1866 Friedrich Wilhelm I … son of Wilhelm II; deposed, died 1875
(to
Prussia
1866)
Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt and Hesse-Marburg
1567–1597 Georg
I,
the Pious … son of Philipp I of Hesse; in Darmstadt
& 1567–1604 Ludwig IV, Testator … brother of Georg I; in Marburg
1597–1626 Ludwig
V,
the Faithful … son of Georg I
Philipp,
the Learned … son of Georg I; associated in Butzbach 1609–1643
1626–1661 Georg
II,
the Learned … son of Ludwig V
Johann … son of Ludwig V; associated in Braubach 1643–1651
1661–1678 Ludwig VI … son of Georg II
Georg … son of Georg II; associated in Itter 1661–1676
1678 Ludwig VII … son of Ludwig VI
1678–1739 Ernst Ludwig … son of Ludwig VI
1739–1768 Ludwig VIII … son of Ernst Ludwig
1768–1790 Ludwig IX … son of Ludwig VIII
1790–1806 Ludwig X … son of Ludwig IX; grand duke of Hesse 1806–1830
Grand Dukes of Hesse
1806–1830 Ludwig I … former landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt 1790–1806
1830–1848 Ludwig II … son of Ludwig I
1848–1877 Ludwig III … son of Ludwig II
1877–1892 Ludwig IV … son of Karl, son of Ludwig II
1892–1918 Ernst Ludwig … son of Ludwig IV; deposed, died 1937
(to Germany 1918)
Landgraves of Hesse-Homburg
1622–1638 Friedrich I … son of Georg I of Hesse-Darmstadt
1638–1681 Wilhelm Christoph … son of Friedrich I
& 1638–1677 Georg Christian … son of Friedrich I
& 1638–1708 Friedrich II, Silverleg … son of Friedrich I
1708–1746 Friedrich III … son of Friedrich II
1746–1751 Friedrich IV … son of Kasimir Wilhelm, son of Friedrich II
1751–1806 Friedrich V … son of Friedrich IV; deposed
1806–1816 (to
Hesse-Darmstadt)
1816–1820 Friedrich V … restored
1820–1829 Friedrich VI … son of Friedrich V
1829–1839 Ludwig … son of Friedrich V
1839–1846 Philipp … son of Friedrich V
1846–1848 Gustav … son of Friedrich V
1848–1866 Ferdinand … son of Friedrich V
(to
Prussia
1866)
HOHENZOLLERN
The county, later principality of Hohenzollern was located in Swabia. The counts became imperial princes in
1623. The dynasty acquired additional importance as one of its branches acquired the burgraviate of
Nürnberg, later becoming margraves, then electors, of Brandenburg. The rulers of Brandenburg-Prussia helped
elevate the status of their Hohenzollern cousins, and the Hohenzollern princes of Hechingen and Sigmaringen
became sovereign rulers in both the Confederation of the Rhine and the German Confederation. In 1849 the
princes of both Hechingen and Sigmaringen abdicated in favor of the king of Prussia and the principalities
were united with Prussia.
Counts of Hohenzollern
c.1145–c.1200 Friedrich I (III) … son of count Friedrich II of Zollern
c.1200–1226 Konrad … son of Friedrich I; to Nürnberg 1226–1260/1261
& c.1200–1251: Friedrich II (IV), the Admiral … son of Friedrich I
:1255–1289 Friedrich III (V), the Illustious … son of Friedrich II
1289–1297: Friedrich
IV
(VI),
the Knight … son of Friedrich III
:1298–1309 Friedrich
V
(VII),
the Eldest … son of Friedrich IV
& :1298–1333 Friedrich VI (VIII), Ostertag … son of Friedrich IV
1309–1313 Fritzli I … son of Friedrich V
& 1309–1320 Albrecht I … son of Friedrich V
1320–1368: Albrecht II … son of Albrecht I
& 1320–1371: Heinrich … son of Albrecht I
1333–1339 Fritzli II … son of Friedrich VI
& 1333–1377 Friedrich VII (IX), the Black Count … son of Friedrich VI
1342–1365: Friedrich
VIII,
of Straßburg … son of Friedrich VI; associated
:1368–1401 Friedrich
IX,
the Elder … son of Friedrich VIII; associated
1377–1412 Friedrich X … son of Friedrich IX
& 1377–c.1410 Friedrich
XI,
Ostertag … son of Friedrich IX; associated
1401–1426 Friedrich
XII,
of Öttingen … son of Friedrich IX; deposed; associated 1440–1443
& 1401–1439 Eitel Friedrich I … son of Friedrich IX
1439–1488 Jost
Nikolaus
I, the Bearded … son of Eitel Friedrich I
1488–1512 Eitel Friedrich II … son of Jost Nikolaus I
1512–1517 Franz Wolfgang … son of Eitel Friedrich II
& 1512–1538 Joachim … son of Eitel Friedrich II
& 1512–1525 Eitel Friedrich III … son of Eitel Friedrich II
1517–1535 Christoph Friedrich … son of Franz Wolfgang; abdicated, died 1536
1525–1575 Karl I … son of Eitel Friedrich III; abdicated, died 1576
1538–1558 Jost Nikolaus II … son of Joachim
(division into Hechingen, Sigmaringen, and Haigerloch 1575)
Counts and princes of Hohenzollern-Hechingen
1575–1605 Eitel Friedrich IV … son of Karl I of Hohenzollern
1605–1623 Johann Georg … son of Eitel Friedrich IV; prince 1623
1623–1661 Eitel Friedrich V … son of Johann Georg
1661–1671 Philipp … son of Johann Georg
1671–1735 Friedrich
Wilhelm I … son of Philipp
1735–1750 Friedrich Ludwig … son of Friedrich Wilhelm I
1750–1798 Joseph Wilhelm … son of Hermann Friedrich, son of Philipp
1798–1810 Hermann Friedrich … son of Franz Xaver, brother of Joseph Wilhelm
1810–1838 Friedrich
Hermann
… son of Hermann Friedrich
1838–1849 Friedrich Wilhelm II … son of Friedrich Hermann; abdicated, died 1869
(to
Prussia
1849)
Counts and princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
1575–1606 Karl II … son of count Karl I of Hohenzollern
1606–1638 Johann … son of Karl II; prince 1623
1638–1681 Meinrad I … son of Johann
1681–1689 Maximilian I … son of Meinrad I
1689–1715 Meinrad II … son of Maximilian I
1715–1769 Joseph Friedrich … son of Meinrad II
1769–1785 Karl
Friedrich
…
son of Joseph Friedrich
1785–1831 Anton Alois … son of Karl Friedrich
1831–1848 Karl III Anton … son of Anton Alois; abdicated, died 1853
1848–1849 Karl Anton … son of Karl III; abdicated, died 1885
(to
Prussia
1849)
Counts of Hohenzollern-Haigerloch
1575–1592 Christoph … son of Karl I of Hohenzollern
1592–1620 Johann Christoph … son of Christoph
1620–1634 Karl … son of Christoph
1634–1681 (to
Sigmaringen)
1681–1702 Franz Anton … son of Meinrad I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
1702–1750 Ferdinand Anton … son of Franz Anton
1750–1767 Franz Christoph Anton … son of Franz Anton
(to Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen 1767)
HOLSTEIN (SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN)
The country of Holstein was ruled by the counts of Schaumburg (or Schauenburg) since the beginning of the
12
th
century. The dynasty divided into several branches, of which the most important was the line of Holstein-
Rendsburg, which obtained the duchy of Schleswig in 1386. The throne passed to the house of Oldenburg in
1459, and Holstein became a duchy in 1474. By this time the house of Oldenburg also ruled the kingdoms of
Denmark and Norway, and Schleswig and Holstein were typically conferred on junior members of the royal
house, with a proliferation of non-sovereign lines of dukes. The two main, and sovereign, branches of the ducal
house were the dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Segeberg (simultaneously kings of Denmark) and the dukes of
Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp. The latter branch was inherited by the former in 1771, but the male line became
extinct in 1863. The duke of the hitherto non-sovereign branch of Glückburg succeeded to the throne of
Denmark as king Christian IX in 1863, but was defeated in war against Austria and Prussia in his attempt to
keep Schleswig-Holsten. The duchies were turned over to the joint administration of Austria and Prussia by
treaty in 1864, and Prussia annexed them after defeating Austria in 1866.
Counts of Holstein
House of Schaumburg
1110–1130 Adolf I … son of (?) Adolf
1131–1164 Adolf II … son of Adolf I
1164–1203 Adolf III … son of Adolf II; deposed, died 1225
1204–1227 Albrecht … son of count Siegfried III of Weimar-Orlamünde; deposed, died 1245
1227–1239 Adolf
IV,
Barefoot … son of Adolf III; abdicated, died 1261
1239–1261 Johann I … son of Adolf IV; to Kiel 1261–1263
& 1239–1261 Gerhard I … son of Adolf IV; to Itzehoe 1261–1290
(division into Kiel and Itzehoe 1261)
Counts of Holstein in Kiel
1261–1263 Johann I … son of Adolf IV of Holstein; Holstein 1239–1261
1263–1308 Adolf
V,
the Pomeranian … son of Johann I; in Segeberg 1273
& 1263–1315 Johann II, the One-eyed … son of Johann I; in Kiel 1273; deposed, died c.1321
Adolf … son of Johann II; associated in Segeberg 1308–1315
(to Holstein-Plön 1315)
Counts of Holstein in Itzehoe
1239–1290 Gerhard I … son of Adolf IV of Holstein; Holstein 1239–1261
(division into Itzehoe-Plön, Rendsburg, and Schamburg-Pinneburg 1290)
Counts of Holstein in Itzehoe and Plön
1290–1312 Gerhard
II,
the Blind … son of Gerhard I
1312–1359 Johann
III,
the Mild … son of Gerhard II; acquired Kiel and Segeberg 1315
& 1312–1317 Gerhard IV … son of Gerhard II; in Segeberg 1316
1317–1350 Gerhard V … son of Gerhard IV; in Segeberg
1359–1390 Adolf IX … son of Johann III
(to
Holstein-Rendsburg
1390)
Counts of Holstein in Schaumburg and Pinneberg
1290–1315 Adolf VI … son of Gerhard I of Holstein-Itzehoe
1315–1353 Adolf VII … son of Adolf VI
1353–1366 Adolf VIII … son of Adolf VII
& 1353–1404 Otto I … son of Adolf VII
& 1353–c.1361 Simon … son of Adolf VII
1404–1426 Adolf X … son of Otto I
1426–1464 Otto II … son of Adolf X
1464–1474 Adolf XII … son of Otto II
& 1464–1492 Erich … son of Otto II
& 1464–1510 Otto III … son of Otto II
1492–1526 Anton … son of Otto II
1498–1527 Johann IV … son of Otto II
1527–1531 Jobst I … son of Johann IV
1531–1544 Adolf XIII … son of Jobst I; in Pinneberg 1533; abdicated, died 1556
& 1531–1560 Johann V … son of Jobst I; in Bückeburg 1533
& 1531–1576 Otto IV … son of Jobst I; in Schaumburg 1533; bishop of Hildesheim
& 1531–1581 Jobst II … son of Jobst I; in Gemen 1533
1576–1601 Adolf XIV … son of Otto IV; in Schaumburg
& 1576–1622 Ernst … son of Otto IV; in Schaumburg; prince of Schaumburg 1619
1581–1593 Heinrich V … son of Jobst II; in Gemen
1593–1635 Jobst Hermann … son of Heinrich V; in Gemen; prince of Schaumburg 1622
1635–1640 Otto V … son of Georg Hermann, son of Jobst II; prince of Schaumburg
1640–1643 Elisabeth … mother of Otto V; daughter of count Simon VI of Lippe; abdicated, died 1646
(Schaumburg-Bückeburg to Schaumburg-Lippe 1643; the rest to Brunswick-Lüneburg and
Hesse-Cassel)
Counts of Holstein in Rendsburg
1290–1304 Heinrich I … son of Gerhard I of Holstein-Itzehoe
1304–1340 Gerhard
III,
the Great … son of Heinrich I
1340–1384 Heinrich
II,
the Iron … son of Gerhard III
& 1340–1397 Nikolaus … son of Gerhard III
1384–1404 Gerhard VI … son of Heinrich II; duke of Schleswig 1386
& 1384–1403 Albrecht II … son of Heinrich II
& 1384–1421 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich II; bishop of Osnabrück
1404–1427 Heinrich IV … son of Gerhard VI
& 1404–1459 Adolf XI … son of Gerhard VI
& 1404–1433 Gerhard VII … son of Gerhard VI
House of Oldenburg
1459–1474 Christian … son of count Dietrich of Oldenburg by Hedwig, daughter of Gerhard VI;
Denmark 1448–1481; Norway 1450–1481; Sweden 1457–1464; duke of Schleswig-
Holstein 1474–1481
Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein
1474–1481 Christian I … former count of Holstein and duke of Schleswig
1481–1490 Johann … son of Christian I; Denmark 1481–1513; Norway 1483–1513; to Segeberg
1490–1513
& 1481–1533 Friedrich I … son of Christian I; Denmark and Norway 1523–1533; to Segeberg 1490–1533
(division into Segeberg and Gottorp)
Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein in Segeberg and Glückstadt
1490–1513 Johann … son of Christian I of Schleswig-Holstein; Schleswig-Holstein 1481–1490;
Denmark 1481–1513; Norway 1483–1513; Sweden 1497–1501
1513–1523 Christian II … son of Johann; also Denmark and Norway; Sweden 1520–1521; deposed,
died 1559
1523–1533 Friedrich I … brother of Johann; also Denmark and Norway
1533–1559 Christian III … son of Friedrich I; in Glückstadt; Denmark and Norway 1534–1559
1559–1588 Friedrich II … son of Christian III; also Denmark and Norway
1588–1648 Christian IV … son of Friedrich II; also Denmark and Norway
1648–1670 Friedrich III … son of Christian IV; also Denmark and Norway
1670–1699 Christian V … son of Friedrich III; also Denmark and Norway
1699–1730 Friedrich IV … son of Christian V; also Denmark and Norway
1730–1746 Christian
VI,
the Pious … son of Friedrich IV; also Denmark and Norway
1746–1766 Friedrich V … son of Christian VI; also Denmark and Norway
1766–1808 Christian VII … son of Friedrich V
1808–1839 Friedrich VI … son of Christian VII; also Denmark; Norway 1808–1814
1839–1848 Christian VIII … son of Friedrich, son of Friedrich VI; also Denmark; Norway 1814
1848–1863 Friedrich VII … son of Christian VIII
1863–1864 Christian IX … son of duke Wilhelm of Glücksburg, son of duke Friedrich Karl of Beck,
son of Karl Anton, son of duke Peter August, son of duke Friedrich Ludwig, son of
duke August Philipp, son of duke Alexander of Sonderburg, son of duke Johann, son
of Christian III; abdicated, died 1906
• Friedrich VIII … son of duke Christian of Augustenburg, son of duke Friedrich
Christian II, son of duke Friedrich Christian I, son of duke Christian August, son of
duke Friedrich Wilhelm, son of duke Ernst Günther, son of duke Alexander of Beck,
son of duke Johann, son of Christian III; rival 1863–1866; deposed, died 1880
(to Austria and Prussia 1864; to Prussia 1866)
Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein in Gottorp
1490–1533 Friedrich I … son of duke Christian I of Schleswig-Holstein; Schleswig-Holstein 1481–
1490; Denmark and Norway 1523–1533
1533–1580 Johann,
the Elder … son of Friedrich I; in Hadersleben
& 1533–1586 Adolf … son of Friedrich I; in Gottorp
1586–1587 Friedrich II … son of Adolf
1587–1590 Philipp … son of Adolf
1590–1616 Johann Adolf … son of Adolf; archbishop of Bremen and bishop of Lübeck
1616–1659 Friedrich III … son of Johann Adolf
1659–1675 Christian Albrecht … son of Friedrich III; bishop of Lübeck; deposed
1675–1679 (to
Denmark)
1679–1683 Christian Albrecht … restored; deposed
1683–1689 (to
Denmark)
1689–1695 Christian Albrecht … restored
1695–1702 Friedrich IV … son of Christian Albrecht
1702–1739 Karl
Friedrich
… son of Friedrich IV
1739–1762 Karl Peter Ulrich … son of Karl Friedrich
1762–1773 Paul … son of Karl Peter Ulrich; abdicated; Russia 1796–1801
(to Denmark 1773; to Prussia 1864)
LIPPE
The lords of Lippe became imperial counts in 1529 and imperial princes permanently from 1789. In 1616 the
dynasty had divided into four sovereign branches, but their possessions were reunited by the senior branch of
Lippe-Detmold by 1749. The principality of Lippe entered the German Empire in 1871. The line became
extinct in 1905 and the throne was inherited by prince Leopold IV, a member of the non-sovereign line of
counts of Lippe-Biesterfeld.
Lords and counts of Lippe
c.1120–c.1158 Bernhard I … son of (?) Hermann of Lippe
& c.1120–c.1160 Hermann I … brother of Bernhard I
c.1160–1196 Bernhard II … son of Hermann I; abdicated, died 1224
1196–1229 Hermann II … son of Bernhard II
1229–1265 Bernhard III … son of Hermann II
1265–1275 Bernhard
IV
… son of Bernhard III
& 1265–1274 Hermann III … son of Bernhard III
1275–1344 Simon I … son of Bernhard IV
Simon II … son of Simon I; associated, died c.1334
1344–1360 Otto … son of Simon I; in Detmold and Lemgo
& 1344–1365 Bernhard V … son of Simon I; in Lippstadt and Rheda
1360–1410 Simon III … son of Otto
17
1410–1415 Bernhard VI … son of Simon III; associated 1384
1415–1429 Simon IV … son of Bernhard VI
1429–1511 Bernhard
VII,
the Warlike … son of Simon IV
1511–1536 Simon V … son of Bernhard VII; associated since c.1507; imperial count 1529
1536–1563 Bernhard VIII … son of Simon V
1563–1613 Simon VI … son of Bernhard VIII
1613–1616 Simon VII … son of Simon VI; to Detmold 1616–1627
& 1613–1616 Otto … son of Simon VI; to Brake 1616–1657
& 1613–1616 Hermann … son of Simon VI; to Schwalenberg 1616–1620
& 1613–1616 Philipp I … son of Simon VI; to Schaumburg-Bückeburg 1616–1681
(division into Detmold, Brake, and Alverdissen 1616)
Counts and princes of Lippe in Detmold
1616–1627 Simon VII … son of Simon VI of Lippe; Lippe 1613–1616
1627–1636 Simon Ludwig … son of Simon VII
17
In Tecklenburg captivity 1371–1375.
1626–1650 Simon Philipp … son of Simon Ludwig
1650–1652 Johann Bernhard … son of Simon VII; associated in Sternberg from 1648
1652–1666 Hermann Adolf … son of Simon VII; associated in Sternberg from 1650
1666–1697 Simon Heinrich … son of Hermann Adolf
1697–1718 Friedrich Adolf … son of Simon Heinrich
1718–1734 Simon Heinrich Adolf … son of Friedrich Adolf; prince 1720–1734
1734–1782 Simon August … son of Simon Heinrich Adolf
1782–1802 Leopold I … son of Simon August; prince 1789
1802–1851 Leopold II … son of Leopold I
1851–1875 Leopold III … son of Leopold II
1875–1895 Woldemar … son of Leopold II
1895–1905 Alexander … son of Leopold II
1905–1918 Leopold IV … son of count Ernst II of Biesterfeld,
18
son of count Julius, son of count
Ernst I, son of count Karl, son of count Friedrich, son of count Rudolf Friedrich, son
of count Jobst Hermann, son of Simon VII; regent since 1904; deposed, died 1949
(to Germany 1918)
Counts of Lippe in Brake
1616–1657 Otto … son of Simon VI of Lippe; Lippe 1613–1616
1657–1700 Kasimir … son of Otto
1700–1707 Rudolf … son of Kasimir
1707–1709 Ludwig Ferdinand … son of Friedrich, son of Otto
(to Lippe-Detmold 1709)
Counts of Lippe in Alverdissen and Schaumburg
1616–1681 Philipp I … son of Simon VI of Lippe; Lippe 1613–1616; Schaumburg 1646
1681–1723 Philipp
Ernst … son of Philipp I
1723–1749 Friedrich … son of Philippe Ernst; abdicated, died 1777
1749–1777 Philipp II … son of Friedrich; prince of Schaumburg-Lippe 1777–1787
(to
Schaumburg-Lippe
1777)
LORRAINE (LOTHRINGEN)
When the Carolingian kingdom of Middle Francia was divided in 855 between the sons of emperor Lothar I,
its northern portion passed to his second son Lothar II. This territory, formed without any basis in tradition,
came to be known as Lotharingia (German Lothringen, French Lorraine) after its king. Carolingian kings from
France and Germany contended for the area, and from 870 to 879 it was actually divided between these
kingdoms. The rule of distant or ineffective kings led to the rise of comital families and the appointment of
dukes. In 925 the duke of Lorraine recognized the authority of the non-Carolingian king of the East Franks
(Germany), and the kingdom of Lorraine became subsumed within that of Germany. In 953 the duchy was
entrusted to Archbishop Bruno of Cologne, a brother of emperor Otto I. He divided Lorraine in two parts
(administered by vice-dukes) and after his death in 965 the division persisted. The duchy of Lower Lorraine
disintegrated in the 12
th
century as a result of the competition between the houses of Limburg and Louvain
(Brabant) for the ducal throne. The duchy of Upper Lorraine, though somewhat reduced in size, remained an
important feudal principality within the Holy Roman Empire, in spite of the repeated attempts by France to
conquer it in the 17
th
and 18
th
centuries. In 1737 the duke of Upper Lorraine, François III, had to hand over
his duchy (receiving Tuscany in exchange) to the former king of Poland, Stanisław II Leszczyński. On the
latter’s death in 1766, Lorraine passed to his son-in-law, the king of France. Lorraine has remained part of
France ever since, except for 1871–1918, when it was incorporated into the German Empire, and 1940–1944,
when it was once again annexed by Germany.
18
Ernst II of Biesterfeld had been regent 1897–1904.
Kings of Lorraine
Carolingian House
843–855 Lothar I … son of emperor Ludwig I; emperor 817; Italy 820–844
855–869 Lothar II … son of Lothar I
869–870 Karl
I,
the Bald … brother of Lothar I; France 843–877; Italy 875–877; emperor 875
870–879 (division between France and Germany)
879–882 Ludwig
I,
the Younger … son of king Ludwig II of Germany, brother of Karl I
882–887 Karl
II,
the Fat … brother of Ludwig I; Germany 876–887; Italy 879–887; France 884–
887; emperor 881; deposed, died 888
887–895 Arnulf,
of Carinthia … bastard son of king Karlmann II of Germany, brother of Karl II;
Germany 887–899; Italy 896; emperor 896
895–900 Zwentibold … bastard son of Arnulf
900–911 Ludwig
II,
the Child … son of Arnulf; also Germany
911–925 Karl
III,
the Simple … posthumous son of king Louis II of France, son of Karl I; France
898–923;
19
deposed, died 929
(royal title to Germany 925)
Dukes of Lorraine
Conradine House of Franconia
903–910 Gebhard … son of (?) count Udo of Lahngau
House of Hainault
910–915 Reginar … son of count Giselbert of Maasgau by Ermengarde, daughter of emperor Lothar I
915–939 Giselbert … son of Reginar; confirmed as duke 928
939–940 Heinrich I … son of Giselbert; deposed, died c.944
Liudolfing House of Saxony
940 Heinrich II … son of king Heinrich I of Germany; deposed, died 955
House of Verdun
940–944 Otto … son of count Richwin of Verdun
Salian House of Franconia
944–953 Konrad,
the Red … husband of Liudgard, daughter of emperor Otto I; son of count
Werner of Wormsgau; deposed, died 955
Liudolfing House of Saxony
953–965 Brun … brother of Heinrich II; archbishop of Cologne; abdicated direct authority, died 965
Vice-Dukes of Lower Lorraine
House of Metz
959–964 Gottfried I … son of count palatine Gottfried of Lorraine, son of count Gerhard of
Metzgau
964–973 Richar … uncle of (?) Gottfried I; son of (?) count Gerhard of Metzgau
House of Verdun
973–976 Gottfried
II,
the Captive … son of Richar’s sister (?) Uda by count Gozelo of Bidgau, son
of count palatine Wigerich of Lorraine; deposed, died c.998
Dukes of Lower Lorraine
Carolingian House
977–991 Karl I … son of king Louis IV of France; deposed, died 993/995
991–1012 Otto … son of Karl I
House of Verdun
1012–1023 Gottfried
I,
the Childless … son of vice-duke Gottfried II
1023–1044 Gozelo
I,
the Great … son of vice-duke Gottfried II
19
In Vermandois captivity from 923.
1044–1046 Gozelo
II,
the Coward … son of Gozelo I; deposed, died 1046
House of Luxemburg
1046–1065 Friedrich … son of count Frédéric I of Luxembourg, son of Sigefroy, son of count palatine
Wigerich of Lorraine
House of Verdun
1065–1069 Gottfried
II,
the Bearded … son of Gozelo I
1069–1076 Gottfried
III,
the Hunchback … son of Gottfried II
Salian House
1076–1087 Konrad … son of emperor Heinrich IV; abdicated, died 1101
House of Boulogne
1089–1100 Gottfried
IV,
of Bouillon … son of count Eustache II of Boulogne by Ida, daughter of
Gottfried II; defender of the Holy Sepulcher 1099–1100
House of Limburg
1101–1106 Heinrich … son of count Udo of Limburg; deposed, died 1119?
House of Louvain
1106–1128 Gottfried
V,
the Bearded … son of count Heinrich II of Louvain, son of Lambert II by
Oda, daughter of Gozelo I; deposed, died 1139
House of Limburg
1128–1139 Walram,
the Pagan … son of Heinrich
House of Louvain
1140–1142 Gottfried VI … son of Gottfried V
1142–1190 Gottfried VII … son of Gottfried VI
(disintegration of the duchy: ducal title retained by the counts of Louvain, as dukes of
Lothier or Brabant, but the counts of Limburg had been compensated with ducal
status since 1140)
Dukes of Upper Lorraine
House of Bar
959–978 Frédéric I … son of count palatine Wigerich of Lorraine; vice-duke 959; duke 977
978–1027 Thierry I … son of Frédéric I
Frédéric II … son of Thierry I; associated 1019–1026
1027–1033 Frédéric III … son of Frédéric II
House of Verdun
1033–1044 Gothelon,
the Great … son of vice-duke Gottfried II of Lower Lorraine, son of count
Gozelo of Bidgau, brother of Frédéric I
1044–1047 Godefroy,
the Bearded … son of Gothelon; deposed, died 1069
House of Metz
1047–1048 Adalbert … son of count Gérard of Metz
1048–1070 Gérard … brother of Adalbert
1070–1115 Thierry
II, the Valiant … son of Gérard
1115–1139 Simon I … son of Thierry II
1139–1176 Mathieu I … son of Simon I
1176–1205 Simon II … son of Mathieu I; abdicated, died 1207
1205–1206 Ferry
I,
of Bitche … son of Mathieu I; associated 1179
1205–1213 Ferry II … son of Ferry I; succeeded uncle 1205 and father 1206
1213–1220 Thiébaud I … son of Ferry II
1220–1251 Mathieu II … son of Ferry II
1251–1303 Ferry III … son of Mathieu II
1303–1312 Thiébaud II … son of Ferry III
1312–1329 Ferry
IV,
the Fighter … son of Thiébaud II
1329–1346 Raoul,
the Valiant … son of Ferry IV
1346–1390 Jean I … posthumous son of Raoul
1390–1431 Charles
II,
the Bold
20
… son of Jean I
1431–1453 Isabelle … daughter of Charles II
& 1431–1453 René I, the Good … husband of Isabelle; son of duke Louis II of Anjou; Naples 1435–
1442; died 1480
Valois House of Anjou
1453–1470 Jean II … son of René I and Isabelle
1470–1473 Nicolas … son of Jean II
1473 Yolande … daughter of René I and Isabelle; abdicated, died 1483
House of Vaudémont
1473–1508 René
II,
the Younger … son of Yolande by count Ferry II of Vaudémont
1508–1544 Antoine,
the Good … son of René II
1544–1545 François I … son of Antoine
1545–1608 Charles III … son of François I
1608–1624 Henri
II,
21
the Good … son of Charles III
1624–1625 Nicole … daughter of Henri II; deposed, died 1657
& 1624–1625 Charles IV … husband of Nicole; son of François II (below); deposed
1625 François II … son of Charles III; abdicated, died 1632
1625–1634 Charles IV … restored; deposed
1634–1635 Nicolas-François … son of François II; exiled, legitimist claimant 1635–1661, died 1670
1635–1641 (to
France)
1641 Charles IV … restored; exiled, legitimist claimant 1641–1659
1641–1659 (to
France)
1659–1670 Charles IV … restored; exiled, legitimist claimant 1670–1675
1670–1697 (to
France)
Charles V … son of Nicolas-François; legitimist claimant 1675–1690
1697–1729 Léopold-Joseph … son of Charles V; legitimist claimant 1690–1697
22
1729–1737 François III Étienne … son of Léopold-Joseph; exchanged Lorraine for Tuscany; emperor
1745–1765
House of Leszczyński
1737–1766 Stanislas … son of Rafał Leszczyński; Poland 1704–1709 and 1733–1736
(to
France
1766)
MECKLENBURG
The house of Mecklenburg originated as a family of princes of the Obodrite Slavs, who became Christian
definitively in the 11
th
century. In 1167 prince Pribislaw I was confirmed in possession of Mecklenburg by
duke Heinrich the Lion of Saxony, and in 1170 he was conferred the dignity of imperial count. The family
divided into numerous branches in the 13
th
century, and the counts of Mecklenburg-Schwerin became dukes in
1348. By the middle of the 15
th
century three younger branches of the dynasty descended from count
Heinrich-Burwin II and another branch descended from count Heinrich II were all extinct, and the duchy was
reunited by duke Heinrich II of the senior line of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. As allies of Denmark the dukes of
Mecklenburg were dispossessed by the imperial general Albrecht of Weldstein (Wallenstein) in 1628, but were
restored by the Swedish in 1632. From 1701 the family was permanently divided into two lines, Mecklenburg-
Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz, both of which acquired the title of grand dukes in 1815. In 1871 the two
grand duchies joined the German Empire. In 1918 the line of Mecklenburg-Strelitz became extinct and the
grand duchy reverted to the line of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for just over eight months before the abolition of
the monarchy.
20
The numbering of dukes named Charles includes duke Karl I of Lower Lorraine.
21
The numbering of dukes named Henri includes duke Heinrich I of Lower Lorraine.
22
Lorraine was occupied by France again in 1702–1714, but the duke did not go into exile.
Princes of the Obodrites
Obodrite House
1131–1160 Niklot … prince of the Obodrites
1160–1178 Pribislaw I … son of Niklot; prince 1170
& 1160–1164 Wartislaw … son of Niklot
1164–1200 Nikolaus I … son of Wartislaw; in Rostock
1178–1227 Heinrich Burwin I … son of Pribislaw I
Heinrich Burwin II … son of Heinrich Burwin I; associated in Rostock 1217–1226
Nikolaus II … son of Heinrich Burwin I; associated in Gadebusch 1217–1225
1227–1234 Johann
I,
the Theologian … son of Heinrich Burwin II; to Mecklenburg 1234–1264
& 1227–1234 Nikolaus III … son of Heinrich Burwin II; to Werle 1234–1277
& 1227–1234 Heinrich Burwin III … son of Heinrich Burwin II; to Rostock 1234–1278
& 1227–1234 Pribislaw II … son of Heinrich Burwin II; to Parchim 1234–1256; died 1270:
(division into Mecklenburg, Werle, Rostock, and Parchim 1234)
Princes of Mecklenburg
1234–1264 Johann
I,
the Theologian … son of Heinrich Burwin II; Obodrites 1227–1234
1264–1302 Heinrich
I,
the Pilgrim … son of Johann I
& 1264–1265 Albrecht I … son of Johann I
& 1264–1283 Nikolaus III … son of Johann I; abdicated, died 1289/1290
& 1264–1299 Johann II … son of Johann I; in Gadebusch from 1273
1302–1329 Heinrich
II,
the Lion … son of Heinrich I; associated from 1287
Johann III … son of Heinrich I; associated 1287–1289
1329–1358 Albrecht II … son of Heinrich I; duke 1348; to Schwerin 1358–1379
& 1329–1352 Johann IV … son of Heinrich I; duke 1348; to Stargard 1352–1393
(division
into
Schwerin and Stargard 1359)
Princes of Werle, Parchim, Güstrow, and Waren
1234–1277 Nikolaus I … son of prince Heinrich Burwin II of the Obodrites; Obodrites 1227–1234
1277–1291 Heinrich I … son of Nikolaus I; associated 1271
& 1277–1286 Bernhard I … son of Nikolaus I; in Werle
& 1277–1283 Johann I … son of Nikolaus I; in Parchim
1283–1316 Nikolaus II … son of Johann I; in Parchim
& 1283–1337 Johann II … son of Johann I; in Güstrow 1316
1291–1294 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich I; associated 1282; deposed, died 1307:
Nikolaus … son of Heinrich I; associated 1291–1294; deposed, died 1298:
1316–1352 Johann III … son of Nikolaus II; in Parchim and Goldberg
1337–1360 Nikolaus III … son of Johann II; in Güstrow
& 1337–1382 Bernhard II … son of Johann II; in Waren
1352–1354 Nikolaus IV … son of Johann III; in Parchim and Goldberg
1354–1374 Johann IV … son of Nikolaus IV; in Parchim and Goldberg
1360–1393 Lorenz … son of Nikolaus III; in Güstrow
& 1360–1378 Johann V … son of Nikolaus III; in Güstrow
1382–1395 Johann VI … son of Bernhard II; in Waren; associated in Parchim and Goldberg 1374
1393–1421 Balthasar … son of Lorenz; prince of the Wends 1418
& 1393–1414 Johann VII … son of Lorenz
& 1393–1436 Wilhelm … son of Lorenz; prince of the Wends 1421
1395–1408 Nikolaus V … son of Johann VI; in Goldberg
& 1395–1426 Christoph … son of Johann VI; in Waren
23
23
In Mecklenburg captivity 1415–1417.
(division between Schwerin and Stargard 1436)
Princes of Rostock
1234–1278 Heinrich Burwin III … son of prince Heinrich Burwin II of the Obodrites; Obodrites
1227–1234
1278–1282 Waldemar … son of Heinrich Burwin III; associated 1266
1282–1314 Nikolaus
IV,
the Child … son of Waldemar
(to Denmark 1301–1323)
Dukes of Mecklenburg in Stargard
1352–1392 Johann I … son of prince Heinrich II of Mecklenburg; Mecklenburg 1329–1352
1392–1416 Johann II … son of Johann I
& 1392–1397 Albrecht I … son of Johann I
& 1392–1417 Ulrich I … son of Johann I
1416–1438 Johann III … son of Johann II
1417–1423 Albrecht II … son of Ulrich I
& 1417–1466 Heinrich, the Elder … son of Ulrich I
1466–1471 Ulrich II … son of Heinrich
(to
Mecklenburg-Schwerin
1471)
Dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg in Schwerin
1358–1379 Albrecht
I,
the Great … son of prince Heinrich II of Mecklenburg; Mecklenburg 1329–1358
1379–1383 Heinrich
I,
the Hangman … son of Albrecht I
& 1379–1412 Albrecht II … son of Albrecht I; Sweden 1364–1389
& 1379–1384 Magnus I … son of Albrecht I
1383–1388 Albrecht III … son of Heinrich I
1384–1422 Johann IV … son of Magnus I
1412–1423 Albrecht IV … son of Albrecht II
1422–1477 Heinrich
II,
the Fat … son of Johann IV
& 1422–1443 Johann V … son of Johann IV
1477–1503 Magnus II … son of Heinrich II
& 1477–1507 Balthasar … son of Heinrich II
1503–1552 Heinrich
III,
the Peaceable … son of Magnus II; in Schwerin from 1534
& 1503–1508 Erich … son of Magnus II
& 1503–1534 Albrecht VI, the Handsome … son of Magnus II; to Güstrow 1534–1547
1552–1557 Philipp … son of Heinrich III
1557–1576 Johann Albrecht I, the Learned … son of Albrecht VI; associated 1552
1576–1585 Ulrich
III,
Nestor … brother of Johann Albrecht I; abdicated
1585–1592 Johann
VII,
the Melancholy … son of Johann Albrecht I; associated in Wismar since 1576
Sigismund August … son of Johann Albrecht I; associated in Mirow 1576–1603
1592–1603 Ulrich
III,
Nestor … restored
1603–1608 Karl
I,
the Proper … brother of Johann Albrecht I; abdicated, died 1610
1608–1638 Adolf Friedrich I … son of Johann VI; associated since 1592; deposed
House of Waldstein (Wallenstein)
1628–1632 Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius … son of count Wilhelm of Waldstein; deposed, died 1634
Obodrite House of Mecklenburg
1632–1658 Adolf Friedrich I … restored
1658–1692 Christian Ludwig I … son of Adolf Friedrich I
Karl … son of Adolf Friedrich I; associated in Mirow 1658–1670
Johann Georg … son of Adolf Friedrich I; associated 1658–1675
Gustav Rudolf … son of Adolf Friedrich I; associated 1658–1670
Friedrich I … son of Adolf Friedrich I; associated in Grabow 1658–1688
Adolf Friedrich II … posthumous son of Adolf Friedrich I; associated 1658–1701; to
Streliz 1701–1708
1692–1713 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Friedrich I; associated in Grabow since 1688
1713–1747 Karl
Leopold,
the Refugee … son of Friedrich I
24
1747–1756 Christian Ludwig II … son of Friedrich I
1756–1785 Friedrich
II,
the Pious … son of Christian Ludwig II
1785–1837 Friedrich Franz I … son of Ludwig, son of Christian Ludwig I; grand duke 1815
1837–1842 Paul Friedrich … son of Friedrich Ludwig, son of Friedrich Franz I
1842–1883 Friedrich Franz II … son of Paul Friedrich
1883–1897 Friedrich Franz III … son of Friedrich Franz II
1897–1918 Friedrich Franz IV … son of Friedrich Franz III; deposed, died 1945
(to Germany 1918)
Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in Güstrow
1464–1483 Albrecht V … son of duke Heinrich II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
& 1464–1474 Johann VI … brother of Albrecht V
1483–1534 (to
Schwerin)
1534–1547 Albrecht
VI,
the Handsome … son of duke Magnus II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
1547–1555 Johann Albrecht I … son of Albrecht VI; to Schwerin 1552–1576
1555–1603 Ulrich
III,
Nestor … son of Albrecht VI
Christoph … son of Albrecht VI; in Gadebusch 1570–1592
1603–1610 Karl I … son of Albrecht VI
1610–1611 (to
Schwerin)
1611–1628 Johann Albrecht II … son of duke Johann VII of Schwerin; deposed
House of Waldstein (Wallenstein)
1628–1632 Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius … son of count Wilhelm of Waldstein; deposed, died 1634
Obodrite House of Mecklenburg
1632–1636 Johann Albrecht II … restored
1636–1695 Gustav Adolf … son of Johann Albrecht II
(to
Mecklenburg-Schwerin
1695, contested by Mecklenburg-Strelitz until 1748)
Princes of Mecklenburg in Strelitz
1701–1708 Adolf Friedrich II … posthumous son of duke Adolf Friedrich I of Schwerin
1708–1752 Adolf Friedrich III … son of Adolf Friedrich II
1752–1794 Adolf Friedrich IV … son of Karl, son of Adolf Friedrich II
1794–1816 Karl II … brother of Adolf Friedrich IV; grand duke 1815
1816–1860 Georg … son of Karl II
1860–1904 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Georg
1904–1914 Adolf Friedrich V … son of Freidrivh Wilhelm
1914–1918 Adolf Friedrich VI … son of Adolf Friedrich V
(to Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1918; to Germany 1918)
NASSAU
The house of Nassau traces its origins to the counts of Lauenburg. In the middle of the 13
th
century the house
divided between the Walramian and Ottonian lines. The Walramian count Adolf of Nassau-Wiesbaden was
elected German king in 1292. The Walramian line (imperial princes from 1688) survived several divisions and
its holdings were reunited in 1816 by prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Nassau-Weilburg, who became duke of
Nassau in succession to his cousin Friedrich August of Nassau Usingen. In 1866 duke Adolf was deposed and
24
In exile 1719–1730.
Nassau was annexed by Prussia.
In the 16
th
century the Ottonian line acquired the principality of Orange in France and then the leadership of
the United Provinces under count Wilhelm the Silent. His heirs continued to rule the Netherlands, and upon
their extinction it passed to the cadet line of Nassau-Dietz (renamed Orange-Nassau), which, like the other
Ottonian lines, had acquired the status of imperial princes in the 1650s. By 1739 the line of Orange-Nassau
had united the possessions of the Ottonian line, but in 1815 most of their German holdings were transferred to
the Walramian duchy of Nassau. The kingdom of the Netherlands, including Luxemburg and what later
became Belgium in 1831, remained in the hands of the house of Orange-Nassau. When the direct male line of
Orange-Nassau became extinct in 1890, the Netherlands passed to female heirs while the deposed duke Adolf
of Nassau became grand duke of Luxembourg in accordance with Salic Law.
Counts of Laurenburg and Nassau
House of Nassau
1093–1123 Dudo Heinrich … son of Ruprecht; count of Laurenburg
1123–1154 Ruprecht I … son of Dudo Heinrich; in Nassau
& 1123–1148: Arnold I … son of Dudo Heinrich; in Laurenburg
1154–1159 Arnold II … son of Ruprecht I
& 1154–1159 Ruprecht II … son of Ruprecht I
& 1154–1198 Walram I … son of Ruprecht I
1159–1167 Heinrich I … son of Arnold I
& 1159–1191 Ruprecht III, the Warlike … brother of Heinrich I
1198–1251 Heinrich
II,
the Rich … son of Walram I
&1198–1230 Ruprecht IV … son of Walram I; abdicated, died 1239:
1251–1255 Walram II … son of Heinrich II; Walramian Line 1255–1276
& 1251–1255 Otto I … son of Heinrich II; Ottonian Line 1255–1289
(division
into
Walramian
and Ottonian lines 1255)
Walramian Line of the House of Nassau (in Wiesbaden, Idstein, Weilburg, and Sonnenberg)
1255–1276 Walram II … son of count Heinrich II of Nassau; Nassau 1251–1255
1276–1298 Adolf I … son of Walram II; German king 1292–1298
1298–1304 Ruprecht V … son of Adolf I
& 1298–1344 Gerlach I … son of Adolf I; abdicated, died 1361
& 1298–1324 Walram III … son of Adolf I
1344–1355 Adolf II … son of Gerlach I; to Wiesbaden and Idstein 1355–1370
& 1344–1355 Johann I … son of Gerlach I; to Weilburg 1355–1371
& 1344–1355 Kraft … son of Gerlach I; to Sonnenberg 1355–1356
& 1344–1355 Ruprecht VI … son of Gerlach I; to Sonnenberg 1355–1390
(division
into
Wiesbaden-Idstein, Weilburg, and Sonnenberg 1355)
Counts of Nassau in Wiesbaden and Idstein
1355–1370 Adolf I … son of count Gerlach I of the Walramian Line; Walramian Line 1344–1355
1370–1386 Gerlach II … son of Adolf I
& 1370–1393 Walram II … son of Adolf I
1393–1426 Adolf II … son of Walram II
1426–1480 Johann I … son of Adolf II
1480–1511 Adolf III … son of Johann I; in Wiesbaden
& 1480–1509 Philipp I … son of Johann I; in Idstein
1511–1554 Philipp
II,
the Elder … son of Adolf III; abdicated, died 1558
1554–1566 Philipp
III,
the Younger … son of Philipp II; in Wiesbaden
& 1554–1556 Adolf IV … son of Philipp II; in Idstein
1564–1568 Balthasar … son of Philipp II; in Idstein 1564–1566
1568–1596 Johann Ludwig I … son of Balthasar
1596–1605 Johann Ludwig II … son of Johann Ludwig I
1605–1629 (to
Nassau-Weilburg)
1629–1635 Johann II … son of count Ludwig II of Nassau-Weilburg; Weilburg 1627–1629; deposed
1635–1648 (to
France)
1648–1677 Johann II … restored
1677–1721 Georg August Samuel … son of Johann II; prince 1688
(to Nassau-Ottweiler 1721)
Counts and princes of Nassau in Weilburg, dukes of Nassau
1355–1371 Johann I … son of count Gerlach I of the Walramian Line; Walramian Line 1344–1355
1371–1429 Philipp I … son of Johann I
1429–1490 Philipp II … son of Philipp I; abdicated, died 1492
& 1429–1442 Johann II … son of Philipp I; to Saarbrücken 1442–1472
Johann III … son of Philipp II; associated 1472–1480
1490–1523 Ludwig I … son of Johann III; associated 1480
1523–1559 Philipp III … son of Ludwig I
1559–1593 Albrecht … son of Philipp III
& 1559–1574 Philipp IV … son of Philipp III; to Saarbrücken 1574–1602
1593–1627 Ludwig II … son of Albrecht; to Weilnau and Ottweiler 1593–1597
& 1593–1597 Wilhelm … son of Albrecht; in Weilburg and Merenberg
& 1593–1602 Johann Kasimir … son of Albrecht; in Gleiberg and Kirchheim
1627–1629 Wilhelm Ludwig … son of Ludwig II; to Saarbrücken and Ottweiler 1629–1640
& 1627–1629 Johann IV … son of Ludwig II; to Wiesbaden and Idstein 1629–1677
& 1627–1655 Ernst Kasimir … son of Ludwig II; to Weilburg 1629–1655
& 1627–1629 Otto … son of Ludwig II; to Kirchheim 1629–1632
1655–1675 Friedrich … son of Ernst Kasimir
1675–1719 Johann Ernst … son of Friedrich; prince 1688 (did not assume title)
& 1675–1684 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Friedrich
1719–1753 Karl August … son of Johann Ernst; prince 1737
1753–1788 Karl Christian … son of Karl August
1788–1816 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Karl Christian
1816–1839 Wilhelm … son of Friedrich Wilhelm; duke of Nassau 1816
1839–1866 Adolf … son of Wilhelm; deposed, grand duke of Luxembourg 1890–1905
(to
Prussia
1866)
Counts of Nassau in Saarbrücken
1442–1472 Johann II … son of count Philipp I of Nassau-Weilburg; Nassau-Weilburg 1429–1442
1472–1544 Johann Ludwig I … son of Johann II; abdicated, died 1545
1544–1554 Philipp I … son of Johann Ludwig I
& 1544–1574 Johann III … son of Johann Ludwig I; to Ottweiler-Homburg 1547–1554
& 1544–1547 Adolf … son of Johann Ludwig I; to Kirchheim 1547–1559
1574–1602 Philipp II … son of count Philipp III of Nassau-Weilburg; Weilburg 1559–1574
1602–1629 (to
Nassau-Weilburg)
1629–1640 Wilhelm Ludwig … son of count Ludwig II of Nassau-Weilburg; Weilburg 1627–1629
1640–1642 Kraft … son of Wilhelm Ludwig
& 1640–1659 Johann Ludwig II … son of Wilhelm Ludwig; to Ottweiler 1659–1680, died 1690
& 1640–1677 Gustav Adolf … son of Wilhelm Ludwig
& 1640–1659 Wolrad … son of Wilhelm Ludwig; to Usingen 1659–1702; prince 1688
1677–1713 Ludwig Kraft I … son of Gustav Adolf
1713–1723 Karl Ludwig … son of Gustav Adolf
1723–1735 (to
Nassau-Ottweiler)
1735–1768 Wilhelm Heinrich II … posthumous son of prince Wilhelm Heinrich I of Nassau-
Usingen, son of Wolrad; Usingen 1718–1735
1768–1793 Ludwig Kraft II … son of Wilhelm Heinrich II; deposed, died 1794
(to France 1793; to Prussia 1815)
Counts of Nassau in Ottweiler
1629–1659 (to
Nassau-Saarbrücken)
1659–1680 Johann Ludwig II … son of count Wilhelm Ludwig of Nassau-Saarbrücken; Saarbrücken
1640–1659; abdicated, died 1690
1680–1728 Friedrich
Ludwig
… son of Johann Ludwig II
(to Nassau-Usingen 1728)
Counts of Nassau in Usingen, dukes of Nassau
1629–1659 (to
Nassau-Saarbrücken)
1659–1702 Wolrad … son of count Wilhelm Ludwig of Nassau-Saarbrücken; Saarbrücken 1640–
1659; prince 1688
1702–1718 Wilhelm Heinrich I … son of Wolrad
1718–1775 Karl … son of Wilhelm Heinrich I
& 1718–1735 Wilhelm Heinrich II … posthumous son of Wilhelm Heinrich I; to Saarbrücken 1735–1768
1775–1803 Karl Wilhelm … son of Karl
1803–1816 Friedrich August … son of Karl; duke of Nassau 1806
(to
Nassau-Weilburg
1816)
Counts of Nassau in Breda, princes of Orange
1405–1442 Englebert I … son of count Johann I of Nassau-Dillenburg
1442–1475 Johann … son of Engelbert I
1475–1504 Engelbert II … son of Johann
1504–1538 Heinrich … son of count Johann V of Nassau-Dillenburg, son of Johann
1538–1544 Renatus … son of Heinrich; prince of Orange 1530
1544–1584 Wilhelm
I,
the Silent … son of count Wilhelm I of Nassau-Dillenburg, brother of Heinrich;
Netherlands 1581–1584
1584–1618 Philipp Wilhelm … son of Wilhelm II
1618–1625 Moritz … son of Wilhelm II; Netherlands 1585–1625
1625–1647 Friedrich Heinrich … son of Wilhelm II; Netherlands 1625–1647
1647–1650 Wilhelm II … son of Friedrich Heinrich; Netherlands 1647–1650
1650–1702 Wilhelm III … posthumous son of Wilhelm II; Netherlands 1672–1702; England,
Scotland, and Ireland 1689–1702; principality of Orange lost to France 1673
(to Nassau-Diez 1702)
Ottonian Line of the House of Nassau (in Siegen, Hadamar, Dillenburg, and Beilstein)
1255–1289 Otto I … son of count Heinrich II of Nassau; Nassau 1251–1255
1289–1303 Heinrich III … son of Otto I; to Siegen 1303–1343
& 1289–1303 Emich I … son of Otto I; to Hadamar 1303–1334
& 1289–1303 Johann … son of Otto I; to Dillenburg and Beilstein 1303–1328
(division into Siegen, Hadamar, and Dillenburg-Beilstein 1303)
Counts of Nassau in Siegen
1303–1343 Heinrich I … son of count Otto I of the Ottonian Line; Ottonian Line 1289–1303
1343–1344 Otto II … son of Heinrich III; to Dillenburg-Siegen 1344–1350:
& 1343–1344 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich III; to Beilstein 1344–1378:
(division
into
Dillenburg-Siegen and Beilstein 1344)
Counts of Nassau in Dillenburg and Siegen
1344–1350: Otto … son of count Heinrich I of Nassau-Siegen; Siegen 1343–1344
:1351–1416 Johann I … son of Otto
1416–1420 Adolf … son of Johann I
& 1416–1443 Johann II, the Helmeted … son of Johann I; in Diez 1425
& 1416–1442 Engelbert I … son of Johann I; in Herborn and Hadamar 1425
& 1416–1442 Johann III … son of Johann I; in Haiger 1425
1442–1475 Johann IV … son of Engelbert I; in Breda
& 1442–1450 Heinrich II … son of Engelbert I; in Dillenburg and Siegen
1475–1504 Engelbert II … son of Johann IV, in Breda and the Netherlands
& 1475–1516 Johann V … son of Johann IV; in Dillenburg and Siegen
1516–1538 Heinrich III … son of Johann V; in Breda and the Netherlands since 1504
& 1516–1559 Wilhelm I, the Rich … son of Johann V; in Dillenburg and Siegen
1559–1584 Wilhelm
II,
the Silent … son of Wilhelm I; in Breda and the Netherlands
& 1559–1606 Johann VI, the Elder … son of Wilhelm I
1606–1607 Wilhelm Ludwig … son of Johann VI; to Dillenburg 1607–1620
& 1606–1607 Johann VII, the Middle … son of Johann VI; to Siegen 1607–1623
& 1606–1607 Georg … son of Johann VI; to Beilstein 1607–1620; to Dillenburg 1620–1623
& 1606–1607 Ernst Kasimir … son of Johann VI; to Diez 1607–1632
& 1606–1607 Johann Ludwig … son of Johann VI; to Hadamar 1607–1653
(division into Dillenburg, Siegen, Beilstein, Diez, and Hadamar 1607)
Counts and princes of Nassau in Dillenburg
1607–1620 Wilhelm Ludwig … son of count Johann VI of Nassau-Dillenburg-Siegen; Dillenburg and
Siegen 1606–1607
1620–1623 Georg … brother of Wilhelm Ludwig; in Beilstein 1607–1620
1623–1662 Ludwig Heinrich … son of Georg; prince 1652
& 1623–1626 Albrecht … son of Georg
1662–1701 Heinrich … son of Georg Ludwig, son of Ludwig Heinrich
Adolf … son of Ludwig Heinrich; in Holzapfel-Schaumburg 1653–1676
1701–1724 Wilhelm … son of Heinrich
1724–1739 Christian … son of Heinrich
(to Nassau-Diez 1739)
Counts and princes of Nassau in Siegen
1607–1623 Johann
VII,
the Middle … son of count Johann VI of Nassau-Dillenburg-Siegen; Dillenburg
and Siegen 1606–1607
1623–1638 Johann
VIII,
the Younger … son of Johann VII
& 1623–1642 Wilhelm … son of Johann VII
& 1623–1679 Johann Mortiz … son of Johann VII; prince 1664
& 1623–1674 Georg Friedrich … son of Johann VII; prince 1664
1638–1699 Johann Franz … son of Johann VIII; prince 1652
1699–1706 Wilhelm Hyacinth … son of Johann Franz; deposed
1706–1726 (to the Empire)
1726–1743 Wilhelm Hyacinth … restored
(to Nassau-Dillenburg 1743)
Counts and prince of Nassau-Siegen in Wisch
1623–1652 Heinrich … son of count Johann VII of Nassau-Siegen
1652–1691 Wilhelm Moritz … son of Heinrich; prince 1664
1691–1722 Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf … son of Wilhelm Moritz
1722–1734 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf
(to Nassau-Dillenburg 1734)
Counts and princes of Nassau in Diez
1607–1632 Ernst Kasimir … son of count Johann VI of Nassau-Dillenburg-Siegen; Dillenburg and
Siegen 1606–1607
1632–1640 Heinrich
Kasimir
I … son of Ernst Kasimir
& 1632–1664 Wilhelm Friedrich … son of Ernst Kasimir; prince 1654
1664–1696 Heinrich Kasimir II … son of Wilhelm Friedrich
1696–1711 Johann Wilhelm Friso … son of Heinrich Kasimir II
1711–1751 Wilhelm Friso … posthumous son of Johann Wilhelm Friso; Netherlands 1747–1751
1751–1806 Wilhelm … son of Wilhelm Friso; Netherlands 1751–1795; deposed, died 1806
(to France 1806; to the duchy of Nassau 1815; to Prussia 1866)
Counts of Nassau in Hadamar
1303–1334 Emich I … son of count Otto I of the Ottonian Line; Ottonian Line 1289–1303
1334–1364: Johann … son of Emich I
1337–1359 Emich II … son of Emich I
:1365–1367: Heinrich … son of Johann
& :1365–1394: Emich III … son of Johann
1394:–1607 (to
Nassau-Dillenburg-Siegen)
1607–1653 Johann Ludwig … son of count Johann VI of Nassau-Dillenburg-Siegen; Dillenburg and
Siegen 1606–1607; prince 1650
1653–1679 Moritz
Heinrich … son of Johann Ludwig
1679–1711 Franz Alexander … son of Moritz Heinrich
(to Nassau-Dillenburg and Nassau-Dietz 1711; to Nassau-Dietz 1739)
Counts of Nassau in Beilstein
1344–1378: Heinrich I … son of count Heinrich I of Nassau-Siegen
:1380–1412: Heinrich II … son of Heinrich I
& :1380–:1412 Reinhard … son of Heinrich I; in Liebenscheid
1412:–1473 Johann I … son of Heinrich II
& 1412:–1477 Heinrich III … son of Johann II; in Liebenscheid 1425
1473–1499 Heinrich IV … son of Johann I
1499–1513 Johann II … son of Heinrich IV
& 1499–1556 Bernhard … son of Heinrich IV; in Lahr 1514; in Liebenscheid 1537
1513–1561 Johann III … son of Johann II
(to
Nassau-Dillenburg-Siegen 1561)
OLDENBURG
Originally a Saxon fief, the county of Oldenburg became an immediate imperial holding in 1180, after the
deposition of Heinrich the Lion as duke of Saxony and the disintegration of the duchy. In the second half of
the 13
th
century the family divided between the lines of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst, which were reunited by
marriage into the line of Oldenburg. Count Dietrich of Oldenburg thus brought under his rule all of the
house’s possessions by 1434. By a second marriage Dietrich ensured his son Christian VI the succession to the
duchy of Schleswig and the county of Holstein, and Christian’s own marriage to the widowed queen of
Denmark and Norway helped secure his election to the thrones of these kingdoms. In 1454 Christian left the
county of Oldenburg to his younger brother Gerhard and the county of Delmenhorst to his brother Moritz.
On the extinction of the legitimate line of the house of Oldenburg in 1667, the county passed to the surviving
Danish and Holstein-Gottorp branches of the family. In 1773 a cadet line of the ducal house of Holstein-
Gottorp acquired the Oldenburg as a duchy, which became part of the German Empire in 1871.
Counts of Oldenburg
House of Oldenburg
1088–c.1108 Egilmar I … count of Oldenburg
c.1108–c.1142 Egilmar II … son of Egilmar I
c.1142–1148 Heinrich I … son of Egilmar II; to Wildeshausen 1148–1167
& c.1142–1167 Christian
I,
the Warlike … son of Egilmar II
1167–1209 Mortiz I … son of Christian I
1209–1251 Otto I … son of Moritz I
& 1209–1233 Christian II … son of Moritz I
1233–1263: Johann I … son of Christian II
1251–c.1255 Heinrich II … son of Otto I
:1272–1285 Christian III … son of Johann I
1285–1316 Johann II … son of Christian III
1316–1323: Christian IV … son of Johann II
& 1316–1344 Johann III … son of Johann II
& 1316–1347 Konrad I … son of Johann II
1344–c.1356 Johann IV … son of Johann III
& 1344–1401 Konrad II … son of Konrad I
1350–1399 Christian V … son of Konrad I
1399–1440 Dietrich,
the Lucky … son of Christian V
1401–1420 Moritz II … son of Konrad II
1440–1450 Christian VI … son of Dietrich; abdicated; Denmark 1448–1481; Norway 1450–1481;
Sweden 1457–1464
1450–1463 Moritz III … son of Dietrich; to Delmenhorst 1463–1464
& 1450–1483 Gerhard, the Warlike … son of Dietrich; in Oldenburg 1463; abdicated, died 1500
1483–1495 Adolf … son of Gerhard; abdicated, died 1500
25
& 1483–1492 Christian VII … son of Gerhard
& 1483–1526 Johann V … son of Gerhard
& 1483–1500 Otto II … son of Gerhard
1526–1529 Johann VI … son of Johann V; deposed, died 1548
& 1526–1529 Georg … son of Johann V; died 1551
& 1526–1529 Christoph … son of Johann V; died 1566
& 1526–1573 Anton I (Tönjes) … son of Johann V
1573–1603 Johann VII … son of Anton I
& 1573–1577 Anton II … son of Anton I; to Delmenhorst 1577–1619
1603–1667 Anton Günther … son of Johann VII
1667–1773 (to Denmark and Holstein Gottorp 1667; to Holstein-Gottorp 1676; to Denmark 1702)
Dukes of Oldenburg
1773–1785 Friedrich August … son of Christian August, son of duke Christian Albrecht of Holstein-
Gottorp
1785–1806 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Friedrich August; deposed
1806–1807 (to France and Holland)
1807–1810 Friedrich Wilhelm … restored; deposed
1810–1815 (to
France)
1815–1823 Friedrich Wilhelm … restored
1823–1829 Peter I (Peter Friedrich Ludwig) … son of Georg Ludwig, brother of Friedrich August
1829–1853 August I (Paul Friedrich August) … son of Peter I
1853–1900 Peter II (Nikolaus Friedrich Peter) … son of August I
25
In captivity 1483–1485.
1900–1918 August II (August Friedrich) … son of Peter II; deposed, died 1931
(to Germany 1918)
Counts of Oldenburg in Delmenhorst
:1272–1304 Otto I … son of count Johann I of Oldenburg
1304–1347: Johann I … son of Otto I
& 1304–1354: Christian I, the Elder … son of Otto I
:1348–1367 Christian
II,
the Younger … son of Johann I
:1355–c.1374 Otto II … son of Christian I
& :1355–c.1374 Christian III … son of Christian I; abdicated, died 1391
1367–1418 Otto III … son of Christian II
1418–1434 Nikolaus … son of Otto III; abdicated, died 1446
1434–1463 (to
Oldenburg)
1463–1464 Moritz … son of count Dietrich of Oldenburg; Oldenburg 1450–1463
1464–1483 Jakob … son of Moritz; deposed, died 1486
1483–1577 (to
Oldenburg)
1577–1619 Anton … son of count Anton I of Oldenburg; Oldenburg 1573–1577
1619–1622 Anton Heinrich … son of Anton
& 1619–1647 Christian IV … son of Anton
(to
Oldenburg
1647)
PALATINATE ON THE RHINE (PFALZ, RHEINPFALZ)
The counts palatine of Lorraine assembled a relatively large number of estates within the duchy of Lorraine,
leading to the formation of a new feudal principality as the duchy disintegrated. In 1214 the Palatinate became
a hereditary possession of the House of Wittelsbach, and in 1356 the Golden Bull of emperor Karl IV
confirmed the count palatine as one of the imperial electors. The electorate passed to Bavaria in 1623 but the
Palatinate recovered its independence and a separate electorate in 1648. The office of elector passed in
succession among several of the numerous branches of the family, until in 1777 (and again in 1799) both the
Palatinate and Bavaria came under the rule of the same line of the Wittelsbach family. In 1815 most of the
Palatinate was integrated into the kingdom of Bavaria.
Counts palatine of Lorraine/on the Rhine
House of Keldachgau
985–996 Hermann
I,
the Little … son of count Ezzo II of Keldachgau
996–1034 Ezzo … son of Hermann I
1034–1047 Otto … son of Ezzo
1047–1061 Heinrich
I,
the Furious … son of Hezelin, son of Hermann I
1061–1085 Hermann II … son of Heinrich I
House of Laach
1085–1095 Heinrich II … married Adelheid of Orlamünde
26
, widow of Hermann II; son of Herman,
son of count Frédéric I of Luxembourg
House of Ballenstedt
1095–1113 Siegfried … son of Adelheid of Orlamünde by count Adalbert II of Ballenstedt
House of Calw
1113–1131 Gottfried … son of count Adalbert II of Calw
House of Ballenstedt
1131–1140 Wilhelm … son of Siegfried; associated 1126
• Otto … husband of Gertrud of Northeim
27
, widow of Siegfried; son of rival king
Hermann; rival 1140–1150
26
Daughter of margrave Otto I of Meissen.
Babenberg House of Austria
1140–1142 Heinrich
III,
Jasomirgott … son of margrave Leopold III of Austria; abdicated, died 1177
House of Stahleck
1142–1156 Hermann III … son of count Goswin III of Stahleck
Hohenstaufen House of Swabia
1156–1195 Konrad … son of duke Friedrich II of Swabia
Welf House of Brunswick
1195–1212 Heinrich
IV,
the Tall … husband of Agnes, daughter of Konrad; abdicated, died 1227; son
of duke Heinrich III of Saxony
1212–1214 Heinrich V … son of Heinrich IV
Wittelsbach counts palatine and electors of the Palatinate
House of Wittelsbach (Bavaria)
1214–1227 Ludwig
I,
of Kelheim … son of duke Otto I of Bavaria; abdicated, died 1231
1227–1253 Otto,
the Illustrious … son of Ludwig I; married Agnes, daughter of Heinrich IV
1253–1294 Ludwig
II,
the Strict … son of Otto
& 1253–1255 Heinrich … son of Otto; to Lower Bavaria 1255–1290
1294–1317 Rudolf
I,
the Stammerer … son of Ludwig II; deposed, died 1319
1317–1329 (to Upper Bavaria)
Adolf,
the Simple … son of Rudolf I; legitimist claimant 1319–1327
1329–1353 Rudolf
II,
the Blind … son of Rudolf I; legitimist claimant since 1319
1329–1390 Ruprecht
I,
the Red … son of Rudolf I; legitimist claimant since 1319; elector 1356
1390–1398 Ruprecht
II,
Clem … son of Adolf
1398–1410 Ruprecht
III,
the Righteous … son of Ruprecht II; German king 1400–1410
1410–1436 Ludwig
III,
the Bearded … son of Ruprecht III
1436–1449 Ludwig
IV,
the Meek … son of Ludwig III
1449–1451 Philipp,
the Upright … son of Ludwig IV; deposed
1451–1476 Friedrich
I,
the Victorious … son of Ludwig III; regent since 1449
1476–1508 Philipp,
the Upright … restored
1508–1544 Ludwig
V,
the Pacific … son of Philipp
1544–1556 Friedrich
II,
the Wise … son of Philipp
1556–1559 Otto
Heinrich,
the Magnanimous … son of Ruprecht, son of Philipp
1559–1576 Friedrich
III,
the Pious … son of duke Johann II of Simmern, son of duke Johann I, son of
duke Friedrich I, son of duke Stephan, son of Ruprecht III
1576–1583 Ludwig
VI,
the Careless … son of Friedrich III
1583–1610 Friedrich
IV,
the Sincere … son of Ludwig VI
1610–1623 Friedrich
V,
the Winter King … son of Friedrich IV; deposed, died 1632
1623–1648 (to
Bavaria)
1648–1680 Karl I Ludwig … son of Friedrich V; legitimist claimant since 1632
1680–1685 Karl
II,
the Credulous … son of Karl I
1685–1690 Philipp Wilhelm … son of duke Wolfgang Wilhelm of Neuburg, son of duke Philipp
Ludwig, son of duke Wolfgang of Zweibrücken, son of duke Ludwig II, son of duke
Alexander, son of duke Ludwig I, son of duke Stephan of Simmern, son of Ruprecht III
1690–1716 Johann Wilhelm … son of Philipp Wilhelm
1716–1742 Karl III Philipp … son of Philipp Wilhelm
1742–1799 Karl IV Theodor … son of duke Johann Christian of Sulzbach, son of duke Theodor, son of
duke Christian August, son of duke August, son of duke Philipp Ludwig of Neuburg,
son of duke Wolfgang of Zweibrücken, son of duke Ludwig II, son of duke Alexander,
son of duke Ludwig I, son of duke Stephan of Simmern, son of Ruprecht III; elector of
Bavaria 1777–1799
27
Daughter of count Heinrich of Northeim.
(union with Bavaria 1777)
Dukes of Neumarkt
1410–1443 Johann … son of elector Ruprecht III of the Palatinate
1443–1448 Christoph … son of Johann; king of Denmark 1439–1448
(to the Palatinate-Mosbach 1448)
Dukes of Mosbach
1410–1461 Otto I … son of elector Ruprecht III of the Palatinate
1461–1499 Otto
II,
the Mathematician … son of Otto I
(to the Palatinate 1449)
Dukes of Simmern
1410–1459 Stephan … son of elector Ruprecht III of the Palatinate
1459–1480 Friedrich
I,
the Pious … son of Stephan
1480–1509 Johann I … son of Friedrich I
1509–1557 Johann II … son of Johann I
1557–1559 Friedrich
II,
the Pious … son of Johann II; abdicated, elector of the Palatinate 1559–1576
1559–1569 Georg … son of Johann II
1569–1598 Richard … son of Johann II
Johann Kasimir … son of Friedrich II; associated in Lautern 1575–1592
1598–1649 (to the Palatinate 1598, to Bavaria 1623, to the Palatinate 1648)
1649–1655 Ludwig Philipp … son of elector Friedrich IV of the Palatinate
1655–1674 Ludwig Heinrich … son of Ludwig Philipp
(to the Palatinate 1674, to Bavaria 1685)
Dukes of Zweibrücken
1410–1459 Stephan … son of elector Ruprecht III of the Palatinate
1459–1489 Ludwig
I,
the Black … son of Stephan
1489–1490 Kaspar … son of Ludwig I; abdicated, died 1527
& 1489–1514 Alexander, the Lame … son of Ludwig I
1514–1532 Ludwig II … son of Alexander
& 1514–1543 Ruprecht … son of Alexander; abdicated, died 1544
1532–1569 Wolfgang … son of Ludwig II
1569–1604 Johann
I,
the Historian … son of Wolfgang
1604–1635 Johann
II,
the Younger … son of Johann I
1635–1661 Friedrich … son of Johann II
1661–1677 Friedrich Ludwig … son of duke Friedrich Kasimir of Landsberg, son of Johann I; deposed,
died 1681
1677–1693 (to
France)
1693–1697 Karl I … son of duke Karl Gustav of Kleeburg, son of duke Johann Kasimir, son of Johann I;
Sweden 1660–1697
1697–1718 Karl II … son of Karl I; also Sweden
1718–1731 Gustav Samuel Leopold … son of duke Adolf Johann I of Kleeburg, son of duke Johann
Kasimir, son of Johann I
1731–1735 Christian III … son of duke Christian II of Birkenfeld, son of duke Christian I, son of duke
Karl, son of Wolfgang
1735–1775 Christian IV … son of Christian III
1775–1795 Karl III … son of Friedrich Michael, son of Christian III
1795–1805 Maximilian Joseph … brother of Karl III; elector of the Palatinate and Bavaria 1799; king
of Bavaria 1805–1825
(union with the Palatinate and Bavaria 1799, to France 1801, to Bavaria 1815)
Dukes of Landsberg
1604–1645 Friedrich Kasimir … son of duke Johann I of Zweibrücken
1645–1677 Friedrich Ludwig … son of Friedrich Kasimir; in Landsberg since 1645; deposed, died 1681
(to France 1677, to the Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Kleeburg 1693)
Dukes of Kleeburg
1604–1652 Johann Kasimir … son of duke Johann I of Zweibrücken
1652–1660 Karl Gustav … son of Johann Kasimir; Sweden 1654–1660
1660–1689 Adolf Johann I … son of Johann Kasimir
1689–1701 Adolf Johann II … son of Adolf Johann I
1701–1731 Gustav Samuel Leopold … son of Adolf Johann I
(to the Palatinate 1731)
Dukes of Veldenz
1444–1489 Ludwig
I,
the Black … son of duke Stephan of Simmern and Zweibrücken
1489–1490 Kaspar … son of Ludwig I; abdicated, died 1527
& 1489–1514 Alexander, the Lame … son of Ludwig I
1514–1532 Ludwig II … son of Alexander
& 1514–1544 Ruprecht … son of Alexander
1532–1543 Wolfgang … son of Ludwig II; to the Palatinate-Zweibrücken 1543–1569
1544–1592 Georg
Johann
I,
the Astute … son of Ruprecht
1592–1634 Georg Gustav … son of Georg Johann I; in Lauterecken 1601
& 1592–1654 Georg Johann II … son of Georg Johann I; in Gutenberg 1601; in Lützelstein 1611
1634–1694 Leopold Ludwig … son of Georg Gustav
(to the Palatinate 1694, union with Bavaria 1777, to France 1801, to Bavaria 1815)
Dukes of Sulzbach
1559–1569 Wofgang … son of duke Ludwig II of Zweibrücken
1569–1604 Otto Heinrich … son of Wolfgang
1604–1614 Philipp Ludwig … son of Wolfgang
1614–1632 August … son of Philipp Ludwig
1632–1708 Christian August … son of August
1708–1732 Theodor … son of Christian August
1732–1733 Johann Christian … son of Theodor
1733–1799 Karl Theodor … son of Johann Christian; elector of the Palatinate 1742–1799; elector of
Bavaria 1777–1799
(union with the Palatinate 1742, and with Bavaria 1777)
Dukes of Neuburg
1569–1614 Philipp Ludwig … son of duke Wolfgang of Zweibrücken and Sulzbach
Friedrich … brother of Philipp Ludwig; associated in Vohenstrauss 1569–1597
1614–1653 Wolfgang Wilhelm … son of Philipp Ludwig
1653–1690 Philipp Wilhelm … son of Wolfgang Wilhelm; elector of the Palatinate 1685–1690
(union with the Palatinate 1685)
Dukes of Birkenfeld
1584–1590 Karl … son of duke Wolfgang of Zweibrücken and Sulzbach
1590–1669 Georg Wilhelm … son of Karl
Christian I … son of Karl; associated in Bischweiler 1630–1654
1669–1671 Karl Otto … son of Georg Wilhelm
1671–1717 Christian II … son of Christian I; in Bischweiler since 1654
Johann Karl … son of Christian I; in Gelnhausen 1671–1704
Friedrich Bernhard … son of Johann Karl; in Gelnhausen 1704–1739
1717–1735 Christian III … son of Christian II
1734–1775 (to
Zweibrücken)
1775–1780 Johann … son of Johann Karl; in Gelnhausen since 1739
1780–1789 Karl II … son of Johann
1789–1799 Wilhelm … son of Johann; duke in Bavaria 1799–1837; grand duke of Berg 1803–1806
(to
Bavaria
1799)
REUSS
Reuss consisted of a relatively small territory located between electoral Saxony and Thuringia. The house, all of
whose male members were named “Heinrich,” divided into numerous branches and into two main lines called
simply Senior and Junior lines of Reuss. In 1673 the family acquired the status of imperial counts. The
possessions of the Senior Line had been consolidated by the house of Reuss-Obergreiz, which received the title
“princes of Reuss Senior Line” in 1778. The consolidation of the possessions of the Junior Line by the house
of Reuss-Schleiz did not take place until 1848, and this house acquired the title “princes of Reuss Junior Line”
in 1806, while the line of Reuss-Lobenstein had acquired the same status already in 1790. In 1871 the princes
of Reuss Senior Line (Greiz) and Reuss Junior Line (Schleiz) joined the German Empire. The very complex
numbering of the rulers varies slightly in different branches but always includes the many non-reigning
members of the house.
House of Reuss in Greiz
1462–1476 Heinrich IX … son of Heinrich VII of Reuss-Greiz; Untergreiz 1449; Obergreiz 1462
1476–1502 Heinrich XI … son of Heinrich IX; in Untergreiz 1485
& 1476–1529 Heinrich XII … son of Heinrich IX; in Kranichfeld 1485; abdicated, died 1539
& 1476–1535 Heinrich XIII, the Still … son of Heinrich IX; in Obergreiz 1485; also Untergreiz 1502
1535–1564 Heinrich XIV … son of Heinrich XIII; to Untergreiz 1564–1572
& 1535–1564 Heinrich XV … son of Heinrich XIII; to Obergreiz 1564–1578
& 1535–1564 Heinrich XVI … son of Heinrich XIII; Reuss Junior Line 1564–1572
(division into Untergreiz, Obergreiz, and Reuss Junior Line 1564)
Reuss Senior Line in Untergreiz
1564–1572 Heinrich I … son of Heinrich XIII of Greiz; Greiz 1535–1564
1572–1583 Heinrich
II,
the Tall … son of Heinrich I; to Burgk 1583–1608
& 1572–1582 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich I
& 1572–1604 Heinrich V … son of Heinrich I
1604–1625 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich V; in Obergreiz 1616–1629
& 1604–1667 Heinrich V … son of Heinrich V; in Obergreiz 1616–1625; in Burgk 1643
1667–1697 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich V; in Burgk 1668; imperial count 1673
& 1667–1675 Heinrich IV … brother of Heinrich II; in Untergreiz 1668; imperial count 1673
& 1667–1698 Heinrich V … brother of Heinrich II; in Rothenthal 1668; imperial count 1673
1675–1733 Heinrich XIII … son of Heinrich IV
1733–1768 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich XIII
(to Reuss-Obergreiz 1768)
Reuss Senior Line in Burgk
1583–1608 Heinrich
II,
the Tall … son of Heinrich I of Untergreiz; Untergreiz 1572–1583
1608–1639 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich II
& 1608–1616 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich II
& 1608–1616 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich II; to Dölau 1616–1636
1639–1640 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich II
(to Reuss-Untergreiz 1640)
Reuss Senior Line in Obergreiz (Greiz 1768)
1564–1578 Heinrich XV … son of Heinrich XIII of Greiz; Greiz 1535–1564
1578–1607 Heinrich XVII … son of Heinrich XV; in Obergreiz 1597
& 1578–1616 Heinrich XVIII … son of Heinrich XV; in Schleiz 1597
1616–1629 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich V of Untergreiz; Untergreiz 1604–1616
& 1616–1625 Heinrich V … brother of Heinrich IV; Untergreiz 1604–1667
1629–1681 Heinrich I … son of Heinrich IV; imperial count 1673
1681–1697 Heinrich VI … son of Heinrich I
& 1681–1690 Heinrich XV … son of Heinrich I
& 1681–1694 Heinrich XVI … son of Heinrich I; to Dölau 1694–1698
1697–1714 Heinrich I … son of Heinrich VI
& 1697–1722 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich VI
1722–1723 Heinrich IX … son of Heinrich II
& 1722–1800 Hienrich XI … son of Heinrich II; prince of Reuss Senior Line 1778
1800–1817 Heinrich XIII … son of Heinrich XI
1817–1836 Heinrich XIX … son of Heinrich XIII
1836–1859 Heinrich XX … son of Heinrich XIII
1859–1902 Heinrich XXII … son of Heinrich XX
1902–1918 Heinrich XXIV … son of Heinrich XXII; deposed, died 1927
(to Germany 1918)
Reuss Junior Line in Gera
1564–1572 Heinrich XVI … son of Heinrich XIII of Greiz; Greiz 1535–1564
1572–1635 Heinrich,
Postumus … posthumous son of Heinrich XVI; Schleiz 1616
1635–1670 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich; in Gera 1647
& 1635–1640 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich
& 1635–1647 Heinrich IX … son of Heinrich; to Schleiz 1647–1666
& 1635–1647 Heinrich X … son of Heinrich; to Lobenstein 1647–1671
1640–1666 Heinrich I … son of Heinrich III; in Saalburg 1647; to Schleiz 1666–1692
1670–1686 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich II; imperial count 1673
1686–1735 Heinrich XVIII … son of Heinrich IV
1735–1748 Heinrich XXV … son of Heinrich IV
1748–1802 Heinrich XXX … son of Heinrich XXV
(to Reuss-Schleiz 1802)
Reuss Junior Line in Schleiz
1647–1666 Heinrich IX … son of Heinrich of Gera; Gera 1635–1647
1666–1692 Heinrich I … son of Heinrich III of Gera, brother of Heinrich IX; imperial count 1673
1692–1726 Heinrich XI … son of Heinrich I
1726–1744 Heinrich I … son of Heinrich XI
1744–1784 Heinrich XII … son of Heinrich XI
1784–1818 Heinrich XLII … son of Heinrich XII; prince of Reuss Junior Line in Schleiz and Gera 1806
1818–1854 Heinrich LXII … son of Heinrich XLII
1854–1867 Heinrich LXVII … son of Heinrich XLII
1867–1913 Heinrich XIV … son of Heinrich LXVII
1913–1918 Heinrich XXVII … son of Heinrich XIV; deposed, died 1928
(to Germany 1918)
Reuss Junior Line in Lobenstein
1647–1671 Heinrich X … son of Heinrich of Gera; Gera 1635–1647
1671–1710 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich X; imperial count 1673
& 1671–1678 Heinrich VIII … son of Heinrich X; to Hirschberg 1678–1711
& 1671–1678 Heinrich X … son of Heinrich X; to Ebersdorf 1678–1711
1710–1739 Heinrich XV … son of Heinrich III
1739–1782 Heinrich II … son of Heinrich XV
1782–1805 Heinrich XXXV … son of Heinrich II; prince of Reuss Junior Line in Lobenstein 1790
1805–1824 Heinrich LIV … son of Heinrich XXV, son of Heinrich XXVI, son of Heinrich III
(to Reuss-Ebersdorf 1824)
Reuss Junior Line in Ebersdorf
1678–1711 Heinrich X … son of Heinrich X of Lobenstein; imperial count 1673–1678
1711–1747 Heinrich XXIX … son of Heinrich X
1747–1779 Heinrich XXIV … son of Heinrich XXIX
1779–1822 Heinrich LI … son of Heinrich XXIV; prince of Reuss Junior Line in Ebersdorf 1806
1822–1848 Heinrich LXXII … son of Heinrich LI; abdicated, died 1853
(to Reuss-Schleiz 1848)
SAXONY (SACHSEN)
The Saxons settled Saxony by the mid-2
nd
century. In the 5
th
century they joined the Angles and the Jutes in
colonizing southeastern Britain (England). Those who continued to inhabit Saxony were subjugated and
converted to Christianity by the Franks of Charlemagne between 772 and 804. When the Carolingian Empire
divided in 843, Saxony became one of the three main divisions of the East Frankish Kingdom (Germany). In
the mid-9
th
century the eastern portion of the duchy of Saxony came under the rule of Liudolf, whose son Otto
can be called the first real duke of Saxony. Otto’s son Heinrich was elected German king in 919, and
Heinrich’s son Otto became not only German king, but also emperor in 962. Secure in his status as monarch,
Otto transferred the duchy of Saxony to his vassal Hermann, whose family (the Billungs) retained control of
the duchy until it died out in the male line in 1106. The Billung dukes has campaigned against the Slavs and
remained loyal to the Saxon and Salian emperors until the revolt of duke Magnus in the 1070s.
In 1106 emperor Heinrich V appointed Lothar of Supplinburg as duke as reward for earlier support, but
Lothar nevertheless ended up opposing the emperor. On Heinrich V’s death in 1125 Lothar was chosen by the
nobility as the next monarch of Germany. His son-in-law, the Welf duke of Bavaria Heinrich the Proud
succeeded in Saxony, but his attempt to acquire the monarchy pitted him against the Hohenstaufen heirs of
the Salians, who dispossessed Heinrich in 1138 and transferred the duchy to the Ascanian count Albrecht the
Bear, a grandson of the last Billung duke Magnus. Heinrich the Proud’s son Heinrich the Lion recovered the
duchy in 1142 and held it for almost four decades, until his insubordination to emperor Friedrich I Barbarossa
led to his dispossession in 1180.
The emperor’s intervention in 1180 effectively dismembered the duchy: Heinrich the Lion kept his personal
possessions in Lower Saxony (the counties of Brunswick and Lüneburg), Westphalia was granted to the
archbishops of Cologne, and Upper Saxony in the east, with the ducal title, was given back to the Ascanian
family. The Ascanians divided into two “Saxon” branches, the dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg and the dukes of
Saxe-Lauenburg, not counting the margraves of Brandenburg and the princes of Anhalt. The duke of Saxe-
Wittenberg was pre-eminent, and acquired the status of elector in 1356, but the line died out in 1422.
Emperor Sigismund invested the Wettin margrave of Meissen with the electorate of Saxony in 1423. With a
sizeable agglomeration of possessions (Meissen, Lusatia, and Thuringia were not originally part of electoral
Saxony), the Wettins effectively divided their lands between the Ernestine and Albertine branches of the
family. When the Ernestine elector Johann Friedrich supported the Reformation, he was defeated and deposed
in 1547, and was replaced with his Catholic Albertine cousin, Moritz of Meissen. Johann Friedrich’s sons were
allowed to keep the so-called Saxon Duchies located mostly on the territory of Thuringia. The Albertine
electors of Saxony kept the electorate together and retained suzerainty over apanage branches established at
Weissenfels, Merseburg, and Zeitz. Under the ambitious Friedrich August I and his heirs, the electors secured
the throne of Poland twice (in 1697 and 1733), and eventually became kings of Saxony in 1806, as allies of the
French emperor Napoléon I Bonaparte. After the defeat of France, the kingdom of Saxony was deprived of
about half its lands by Prussia. In 1866 Saxony sided with Austria against Prussia but retained its territory and
joined the German Empire in 1871. The monarchy was overthrown in 1918.
Dukes of Saxony
Liudolfing House
844–866 Liudolf … count, then duke in East Saxony
866–880 Brun … son of Liudolf
880–912 Otto
I,
the Illustrious … son of Liudolf
912–936 Heinrich
I,
the Fowler … son of Otto I; German king 919–936
936–968 Otto
II,
the Great … son of Heinrich I; abdicated; German king 936–973
House of Billung
968–973 Hermann … son of count Billung; margrave since 953, duke by 968
973–1011 Bernhard I … son of Hermann
1011–1059 Bernhard II … son of Bernhard I
1059–1072 Ordulf … son of Bernhard II
1072–1106 Magnus … son of Ordulf
House of Supplinburg
1106–1137 Lothar … son of count Gebhard of Supplinburg; German king 1125–1137
Welf House of Este
1137–1138 Heinrich
II,
the Proud … husband of Gertrud, daughter of Lothar; son of duke Heinrich IX
of Bavaria by Wulfhild, daughter of Magnus; deposed, died 1139
Ascanian House
1138–1142 Albrecht,
the Bear … son of count Otto of Ballenstedt by Eilika, daughter of Magnus;
deposed, died 1170
Welf House of Este
1142–1180 Heinrich
III,
the Lion … son of Heinrich II; deposed, died 1195
(duchy broken up 1180; title to the dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg)
Ascanian Dukes and Electors of Saxony or Saxe-Wittenberg (Sachsen-Wittenberg)
Ascanian House
1180–1212 Bernhard … son of duke Albrecht of Saxony
1212–1260 Albrecht I … son of Bernhard
1260–1282 Johann … son of Albrecht I; to Saxe-Lauenburg 1282–1285
& 1260–1298 Albrecht II … son of Albrecht I
1298–1356 Rudolf I … son of Albrecht II
1356–1370 Rudolf II … son of Rudolf I; elector from 1356
1370–1388 Wenzel … son of Rudolf I
1388–1419 Rudolf III … son of Wenzel
1419–1422 Albrecht III … son of Wenzel
Wettin Electors of Saxony (Sachsen)
House of Wettin
1423–1428 Friedrich
I,
the Warlike … son of margrave Friedrich III of Meissen
1428–1464 Friedrich
II,
the Gentle … son of Friedrich I
Ernestine Line
1464–1486 Ernst … son of Friedrich II
1486–1525 Friedrich
III,
the Wise … son of Ernst
1525–1532 Johann,
the Steadfast … son of Ernst
1532–1547 Johann
Friedrich,
the Magnanimous … son of Johann; deposed, died 1554
Albertine Line
1547–1553 Moritz … son of duke Heinrich of Meissen, son of duke Albrecht, son of Friedrich II
1553–1586 Albrecht … brother of Moritz
1586–1591 Christian I … son of Albrecht
1591–1611 Christian II … son of Christian I
1611–1656 Johann Georg I … son of Christian I
1656–1680 Johann Georg II … son of Johann Georg I
1680–1691 Johann Georg III … son of Johann Georg II
1691–1694 Johann
Georg
IV
… son of Johann Georg III
1694–1733 Friedrich
August
I,
the Strong … son of Johann Georg III; Poland 1697–1706, 1709–1733
1733–1763 Friedrich
August
II,
the Fat … son of Friedrich August I; also Poland
1763 Friedrich Christian … son of Friedrich August II; 74 days
1763–1806 Friedrich
August
III,
the Just … son of Friedrich Christian; king of Saxony 1806–1827
Kings of Saxony (Sachsen)
1806–1827 Friedrich
August
I,
the Just … former elector 1763–1806
28
1827–1836 Anton,
the Goodly … brother of Friedrich August I
1836–1854 Friedrich August II … son of Maximilian, brother of Friedrich August I; associated 1830
1854–1873 Johann … brother of Friedrich August II
1873–1902 Albert … son of Johann
1902–1904 Georg … son of Johann
1904–1918 Friedrich August III … son of Georg; deposed, died 1932
(republic
1918)
Dukes of Saxony in Weissenfels
1650–1680 August … son of elector Johann Georg I of Saxony
1680–1697 Johann Adolf I … son of August
1697–1712 Johann Georg … son of Johann Adolf I
1712–1736 Christian … son of Johann Adolf I
1736–1746 Johann Adolf II … son of Johann Adolf I
(to
Saxony
1746)
Dukes of Saxony in Merseburg
1650–1691 Christian I … son of elector Johann Georg I of Saxony
1691–1694 Christian II … son of Christian I
1694–1731 Moritz Wilhelm … son of Christian II
1731–1738 Heinrich … son of Christian I
(to
Saxony
1738)
Dukes of Saxony in Zeitz
1650–1681 Moritz … son of elector Johann Georg I of Saxony
1681–1718 Moritz
Wilhelm … son of Mortiz
(to
Saxony
1718)
SAXON DUCHIES (see Thuringia)
SCHAUMBURG-LIPPE
In 1646 count Philipp I of Lippe-Alverdissen inherited a portion of the county of Schaumburg from his sister
28
In Prussian captivity during Prussian occupation of Saxony 1813–1815.
Elisabeth. On Philipp I’s death in 1681 his two sons divided Schaumburg and Alverdissen, which remained
separate until the latter line inherited the former in 1777. In 1807 the count was given the title of prince and
entered the Confederation of the Rhine. Avoiding mediatization, the county entered the German
Confederation in 1815 and the German Empire in 1871, surviving until 1918.
Counts and princes of Schaumburg-Lippe
House of Lippe
1646–1681 Philipp I … son of count Simon VI of Lippe; count of Schaumburg-Lippe
1681–1728 Friedrich
Christian … son of Philipp I
1728–1748 Albrecht Wolfgang … son of Friedrich Christian
1748–1777 Wilhelm
Friedrich
… son of Albrecht Wolfgang
1777–1787 Philipp II … son of count Friedrich Ernst of Alverdissen, son of count Philipp Ernst, son
of Philipp I
1787–1860 Georg I … son of Philipp II; prince 1807
1860–1893 Adolf I … son of Georg I
1893–1911 Georg II … son of Adolf I
1911–1918 Adolf II … son of Georg II; deposed, died 1936
(to Germany 1918)
SCHWARZBURG
The comital house of Schwarzburg appeared in the first half of the 12
th
century and quickly subdivided into
several branches. A member of the house, Günther XXI, was elected king in 1349 but abdicated and died the
same year. By the second half of the 16
th
century the only surviving line was that of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg.
In 1583 the surviving heirs of the line divided their inheritance into three branches. The lines of
Sondershausen and Rudolstadt survived until the 20
th
century, having obtained the rank of imperial princes in
1697 and joined the German Empire in 1871. In 1909 the line of Sondershausen became extinct and was
inherited by the line of Rudolstadt. The numbering of the rulers includes numerous non-reigning princes.
Counts of Schwarzburg
House of Schwarzburg
:1100–c.1109 Günther I … son of count Sizzo II; count in Thuringia
c.1109–1160 Sizzo … son of Günther I; count of Schwarzburg by 1137
1160–1184 Heinrich I … son of Sizzo; in Schwarzburg 1169
& 1160–1197 Günther II … son of Sizzo; in Käfernburg 1169
1197–1246 Heinrich II … son of Günther II; to Blankenburg
& 1197–c.1221 Günther III … son of Günther II; to Käfernburg
Albrecht I … son of Günther II; archbishop of Magdeburg; died 1232
Wulbrand … son of Günther II; archbishop of Magdeburg; died 1253
Liudolf … son of Günther II; count of Hallermund; died 1256
1246–1259 Heinrich III … son of Heinrich II; in Leutenberg
& 1246–1274 Günther VII … son of Heinrich II; in Blankenburg
Albrecht II … son of Heinrich II; grand master of the Hospitalers; died 1278
1259–1283 Heinrich IV … son of Heinrich III; in Leutenberg
& 1259–1307 Günther VIII … son of Heinrich III; in Blankenburg
1274–1289 Günther IX … son of Günther VII; in Schwarzburg 1275
& 1274–1275 Heinrich V … son of Günther VII; to Blankenburg 1275–1285
& 1274–1275 Günther X … son of Günther VII; to Kranichfeld 1275–1286
Albrecht III … son of Günther VII; died 1280:
Günther XI … son of Günther VII; died 1308
Albrecht IV … son of Günther IX; grand master of the Hospitalers; died 1327
1289–1293 Heinrich VI … son of Günther IX
& 1289–1308 Günther XII … son of Günther IX
Günther XIII … son of Günther IX; died c.1301
Johann I … son of Günther IX; died 1303
Günther XVII … son of Günther XII; died 1294:
1308–1357 Heinrich IX … son of Günther XII
& 1308–1340 Günther XVIII … son of Günther XII; to Wachsenburg 1340–1354
& 1308–1326 Heinrich XI … son of Günther XII
& 1308–1320 Günther XIX … son of Günther XII
Gerhard I … son of Heinrich IX; bishop of Naumburg and Würzburg; died 1400
1357–1382 Günther XXII … son of Heinrich IX; in Schwarzburg 1362
Günther XXIII … son of Heinrich IX; died 1363:
Günther XXIV … son of Heinrich IX; died 1371:
& 1357–1397 Günther XXVII … son of Heinrich IX; in Ilmenau 1362–1382
& 1357–1362 Heinrich XV … son of Heinrich IX; to Leutenberg 1362–1402
(to Leutenberg 1382)
Counts of Schwarzburg in Leutenberg
1362–1402 Heinrich XV … son of count Heinrich IX of Schwarzburg; Schwarzburg 1357–1362
1402–1438 Heinrich XXII … son of Heinrich XV
Albrecht V … son of Heinrich XV; died 1421
& 1402–c.1440 Günther XXXIV … son of Heinrich XV
& 1402–1435 Sighard II … son of Heinrich XV
1438–1463 Heinrich XXV … son of Heinrich XXII
1463–1521 Balthasar II … son of Heinrich XXV; abdicated, died 1525
1521–1555 Johann Heinrich … son of Balthasar II
1555–1560 Sighard III … son of Johann Heinrich
& 1555–1564 Philipp I … son of Johann Heinrich
(to
Schwarzburg-Blankenburg
1564)
Counts of Schwarzburg in Wachsenburg
1340–1354 Günther XVIII … son of Günther XII of Schwarzburg; Schwarzburg 1308–1340
1354–1407 Johann II … son of Günther XVIII
& 1354–1362 Günther XXVI … son of Günther XVIII; in Leuchtenburg
Sighard I … son of Günther XVIII; died 1367
Heinrich XIV … son of Günther XVIII; died 1363:
Günther XXX … son of Johann II; died :1400
Heinrich XIX … son of Johann II; died 1395
Johann III … son of Johann II; died 1377
Balthasar I … son of Johann II; died 1396
Heinrich XXI … son of Günther XXX; died 1406
1407–1450 Günther XXXII … son of Günther XXX
(to
Schwarzburg-Blankenburg
1450)
Counts of Schwarzburg in Blankenburg
1275–1285 Heinrich V … son of Günther VII; Schwarzburg 1274–1275
Günther XIV … son of Heinrich V; died 1309
1285–1324 Heinrich VII … son of Heinrich V
& 1285–1352 Günther XV … son of Heinrich V
Günther XVI … son of Heinrich V; died 1345
Heinrich VIII … son of Heinrich V; died 1304
Sighard … son of Heinrich V; died c.1330
Günther XX … son of Heinrich VII; died 1314
1324–1336 Heinrich X … son of Heinrich VII
& 1324–1349 Günther XXI … son of Heinrich VII; German king 1349
1336–1372 Heinrich XII … son of Heinrich X; in Sondershausen
& 1336–1368 Günther XXV … son of Heinrich X; in Frankenhausen
1349–1357 Heinrich XIII … son of Günther XXI
1368–1413 Heinrich XX … son of Günther XXV; in Frankenhausen
& 1368–1416 Günther XXIX … son of Günther XXV; in Frankenhausen; in retirement 1376–1413
Günther XXXI … son of Günther XXV; died 1411:
Heinrich XVI … son of Heinrich XII; died 1394
Heinrich XVII … son of Heinrich XII; died 1374
1372–1385 Heinrich XVIII … son of Heinrich XII; in Sondershausen and Rudolstadt
& 1372–1418 Günther XXVIII … son of Heinrich XII; in Ranis
Günther XXXIII … son of Günther XXIX; archbishop of Magdeburg; died 1445
1416–1444 Heinrich
XXIV,
the Warlike … son of Günther XXIX
1444–1488 Heinrich XXVI … son of Heinrich XXIV
1488–1493 Günther XXXVI … son of Heinrich XXVI; in Rudolstadt; abdicated, died 1503
Heinrich XXVII … son of Heinrich XXVI; archbishop of Bremen, died 1496
Heinrich XXIX … son of Heinrich XXVI; died 1499
& 1488–1531 Günther XXXIX … son of Heinrich XXVI; in Blankenburg
& 1488–1522 Heinrich XXX … son of Heinrich XXVI; in Blankenburg
1491–1524 Heinrich XXXI … son of Günther XXXVIII, son of Heinrich XXVI; abdicated, died 1526
1524–1552 Günther
XL,
Fatmouth … son of Heinrich XXXI
& 1524–1537 Heinrich XXXIV … son of Heinrich XXXI
1531–1538 Heinrich XXXII … son of Günther XXXIX
1552–1583 Günther
XLI,
the Wrangler … son of Günther XL
& 1552–1571 Johann Günther I … son of Günther XL; to Sondershausen 1571–1586
& 1552–1571 Wilhelm … son of Günther XL; to Frankenhausen 1571–1597
& 1552–1571 Albrecht VII … son of Günther XL; to Rudolstadt 1571–1586
(division into Sondershausen, Frankenhausen, and Rudolstadt 1583)
Counts of Schwarzburg in Sondershausen
1571–1586 Johann Günther I … son of count Günther XL of Blanenburg; Blankenburg 1552–1571
1586–1643 Günther XLII … son of Johann Günther I
& 1586–1638 Anton Heinrich … son of Johann Günther I
& 1586–1631 Johann Günther II … son of Johann Günther I
& 1586–1642 Christian Günther I … son of Johann Günther I
1642–1666 Christian Günther II, the Pious … son of Christian Günther I; in Arnstadt
& 1642–1666 Anton Günther I … son of Christian Günther I; in Sondershausen
& 1642–1681 Ludwig Günther II … son of Christian Günther I; in Ebeleben; Arnstadt 1669
1666–1721 Christian Wilhelm … son of Anton Günther I; in Sondershausen; Arnstadt and Ebeleben
1716; prince 1697
& 1666–1716 Anton Günther II … son of Anton Günther I; in Sondershausen; Arnstadt and Ebeleben
1681; prince 1697
1666–1669 Johann Günther IV … son of Christian Günther II; in Arnstadt
1721–1740 Günther XLIII … son of Christian Wilhelm
1740–1758 Heinrich XXXV … son of Christian Wilhelm
1758–1794 Christian
Günther III … son of August, son of Christian Wilhelm
1794–1835 Günther Friedrich Karl I … son of Christian Günther III; deposed, died 1837
1835–1880 Günther Friedrich Karl II … son of Günther Friedrich Karl I; abdicated, died 1889
1880–1909 Karl Günther … son of Günther Friedrich Karl II
(to
Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
1909)
Counts of Schwarzburg in Rudolstadt
1571–1605 Albrecht VII … son of count Günther XL of Blankenburg; Blankenburg 1552–1571
1605–1630 Karl Günther … son of Albrecht VII; in Kranichfeld
& 1605–1646 Ludwig Günther I … son of Albrecht VII; in Leutenberg
& 1605–1634 Albrecht Günther … son of Albrecht VII; in Ilmenau
1646–1710 Albrecht Anton … son of Ludwig Günther I; prince 1697
1710–1718 Ludwig Friedrich I … son of Albrecht Anton
1718–1744 Friedrich Anton … son of Ludwig Friedrich I
1744–1767 Johann
Friedrich
… son of Friedrich Anton
1767–1790 Ludwig Günther IV … son of Ludwig Friedrich I
1790–1793 Friedrich Karl … son of Ludwig Günther IV
1793–1807 Ludwig Friedrich II … son of Friedrich Karl
1807–1867 Günther I … son of Ludwig Friedrich II
1867–1869 Albert … son of Ludwig Friedrich II
1869–1890 Georg … son of Albert
1890–1918 Günther II … son of Adolf, son of Karl, son of Friedrich Karl; deposed, died 1925
(to Germany 1918)
SWABIA (SCHWABEN)
The tribal duchy of Swabia was one of the three main components of the East Frankish kingdom in the 9
th
century. Its two components, Swabia proper and upland Raetia came to be dominated by the comital families
of the Alahofings and Hunfridings by the end of the century, and it was from these families that the first dukes
of Swabia emerged. Through royal appointments, the duchy passed into the hands of royal sons and in-laws on
numerous occasions, until the longer rule of the Hohenstaufen from 1079 to 1268. However, the new ducal
dynasty was unable to preserve the territorial integrity of the duchy, where rival families, most notably that of
the dukes of Zähringen, were able to carve out their practically autonomous principalities. On the extinction
of the Hohenstaufen in 1268, the title to the duchy passed to the crown while the region continued to be
fragmented among feudal principalities. The ducal title of the three Habsburg dukes of Swabia in 1273–1313
was almost entirely notional.
Dukes of Swabia
Alaholfing House of Swabia
915–917 Erchanger … son of count Berchtold
Hunfriding House of Raetia
917–926 Burkhard I … son of margrave Burkhard of Raetia
Conradine House of Franconia
927–948 Hermann I … married Reglindis, widow of Burkhard I; son of duke Gebhard of Lorraine
Liudolfing House of Saxony
949–953 Liudolf … husband of Ida, daughter of Hermann I; son of emperor Otto I; deposed,
died 957
Hunifriding House of Raetia
954–973 Burkhard II … son of Burkhard I
Liudolfing House of Saxony
973–982 Otto I … son of Liudolf
Conradine House of Franconia
982–997 Konrad I … son of (?) Gebhard, son of count Udo of Wetterau, brother of Hermann I
29
29
The frequent identification of Konrad as the son of count Udo of Wetterau has been effectively challenged by
A. Wolf, “Wer war Kuno von Öhringen. Überlegungen zum Herzogtum Konrads von Schwaben (†997) und zur
997–1003 Hermann II … son of Konrad I
1003–1012 Hermann III … son of Hermann II
Babenberg House of Austria
1012–1015 Ernst I … husband of Gisela, daughter of Hermann II; son of margrave Leopold I of Austria
1015–1030 Ernst II … son of Ernst I
1030–1038 Hermann IV … son of Ernst I
Salian House of Franconia
1038–1045 Heinrich
I,
the Black … son of emperor Konrad II by Gisela, widow of Ernst I; German
king 1039–1056
Ezzonid House of Lorraine
1045–1047 Otto II … son of count palatine Ezzo of Lorraine by Mathilde, daughter of emperor Otto II
Babenberg House of Austria
1048–1057 Otto
III,
the White … son of margrave Heinrich I of Schweinfurt, son of Berchtold, son of
duke Arnulf of Bavaria
House of Rheinfelden
1057–1079 Rudolf … husband of Mathilde, daughter of Heinrich I; son of count Kuno of Rheinfelden;
deposed, rival king 1077–1080
House of Hohenstaufen
1079–1105 Friedrich I … husband of Agnes, daughter of emperor Heinrich IV, son of Heinrich I; son
of count Friedrich of Büren by Hildegard, daughter of Otto II
• Berthold of Rheinfelden … son of Rudolf; rival duke 1079–1090
• Berthold of Zähringen … husband of Agnes, daughter of Rudolf; son of duke Berthold of
Carinthia; rival duke 1092–1098; abdicated, died 1111
1105–1147 Friedrich
II,
the One-Eyed … son of Friedrich I
1147–1152 Friedrich
III,
Barbarossa … son of Friedrich II; German king 1152–1190
1152–1167 Friedrich
IV,
of Rothenburg … son of king Konrad III of Germany, son of Friedrich I
1167–1169 Friedrich V … son of Friedrich III
1169–1191 Friedrich
VI
30
… son of Friedrich III
1192–1196 Konrad II … son of Friedrich III
1196–1208 Philipp,
of Swabia … son of Friedrich III; German king 1198–1208
Welf House of Brunswick
1208–1212 Otto IV … son of duke Heinrich III of Saxony; deposed; German king 1198–1218
House of Hohenstaufen
1212–1216 Friedrich VII … son of emperor Heinrich VI, son of Friedrich III; German king 1212–1250
1216–1235 Heinrich II … son of Friedrich VII; deposed, died 1242
1235–1254 Konrad III … son of Friedrich VII; German king 1250–1254
1254–1268 Konrad
IV
(Konradin) … son of Konrad III
1268–1273 (to the Empire)
House of Habsburg (Austria)
1273–1282 Rudolf I … son of count Albrecht IV of Habsburg; German king 1273–1291
1282–1290 Rudolf II … son of Rudolf I
1290–1313 Johann,
the Parricide … son
31
of Rudolf II
(to the Empire 1313)
Königswahl vom Jahre 1002,” Deutsches Archiv für Erforschung des Mittelalters, 36 (1980); for Konrad as a
grandson of count Udo, see J. Heinzelmann, “Spanheimer–Späne, Schachwappen und Konradinererbe,”
Jahrbuch für westdeutsche Landesgeschichte, 25 (1999), 7-68.
30
Originally named Konrad.
31
Possibly posthumous; the appellation “parricide” refers to Johann’s murder of his uncle, king Albrecht I of
Germany.
THURINGIA (THÜRINGEN) and SAXON DUCHIES
A separate duchy in the 9
th
century, Thuringia was later attached to Saxony and Franconia. Since the middle
of the 11
th
century most of the authority in the area was vested in the hands of local counts. In 1111 the title
of landgrave of Thuringia was conferred on count Hermann II of Winzenburg, but in 1130 his son was
replaced with the Thuringian count Ludwig I, who founded the line of landgraves of Thuringia. Landgrave
Heinrich Raspe was elected German king in 1246, but died the next year. The succession was contested
between the houses of Brabant and Meissen, and in 1249 the Wettin margrave Heinrich the Illustrious of
Meissen acquired control of the landgraviate. When the house of Wettin divided into the Ernestine and
Albertine lines, Thuringia remained mostly in Ernestine hands. After the Ernestine line lost the electorate of
Saxony, they retained their lands in Thuringia. Keeping the title of Saxon dukes, the Ernestine rulers of
Thuringia subdivided the area into a number of principalities, known collectively as the “Saxon duchies.” The
grand duchy of Saxe-Weimar and the duchies of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Saxe-Altenburg, and Saxe-Meiningen
joined the German Empire in 1871. Starting in the 19
th
century, the line of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha provided
kings for the thrones of Great Britain, Belgium, Portugal, and Bulgaria.
Counts in Thuringia
Ludowing House of Thuringia
1031–1056 Ludwig
I,
the Bearded … count in Thuringia
1056–1123 Ludwig
II,
the Springer … son of Ludwig I
1123–1131 Ludwig III … son of Ludwig II; landgrave 1131–1140
Landgraves of Thuringia
House of Winzenburg
1111–1122 Hermann I … son of count Elli II of Reinhausen
1122–1130 Hermann II … son of Hermann I; deposed, died 1152
Ludowing House of Thuringia
1131–1140 Ludwig I … former count in Thuringia 1123–1131
1140–1172 Ludwig
II,
the Iron … son of Ludwig I
1172–1190 Ludwig
III,
the Mild … son of Ludwig II
1190–1217 Hermann I … son of Ludwig II
1217–1227 Ludwig
IV,
the Holy … son of Hermann I
1227–1241 Hermann II … son of Ludwig IV
1241–1247 Heinrich Raspe … son of Hermann I; regent 1227–1228; German king 1246–1247
1247–1249 (interregnum)
House of Wettin
1249–1265 Heinrich,
the Illustrious … son of margrave Dietrich of Meissen by Jutta, daughter of
Hermann I; legitimist claimant since 1247; abdicated, died 1288
1265–1293 Albrecht
I,
the Degenerate … son of Heinrich; sold landgraviate, died 1314
House of Nassau
1293–1298 Adolf … son of count Walram of Nassau; German king 1292–1298
1298–1310 (to the Empire)
House of Wettin
1310–1323 Friedrich
I,
the Dauntless … son of Albrecht I
1323–1349 Friedrich
II,
the Grave … son of Friedrich I
1349–1381 Friedrich
III,
the Stern … son of Friedrich II
1381–1406 Balthasar … son of Friedrich II
& 1381–1382 Wilhelm I … son of Friedrich II; to Meissen 1382–1407
1406–1440 Friedrich IV … son of Balthasar
1440–1445 Friedrich
V,
the Mild … son of elector Friedrich I of Saxony, son of Friedrich III; abdicated,
died 1464
1445–1482 Wilhelm
II,
the Bold … brother of Friedrich V
1482–1486 Ernst … son of Friedrich V
& 1482–1485 Albrecht II, the Courageous … son of Friedrich V; to Meissen 1485–1500
1486–1525 Friedrich
VI,
the Wise … son of Ernst
& 1486–1532 Johann, the Steadfast … son of Ernst
1532–1547 Johann Friedrich I, the Magnanimous … son of Johann; deposed, died 1554
1542–1563 Johann Ernst I … son of Johann; duke in Coburg
1547–1567 Johann Friedrich II … son of Johann Friedrich I; in Gotha; deposed, died 1595
& 1547–1572 Johann Wilhelm … son of Johann Friedrich I; to Weimar 1572–1573
1567–1572 Johann Kasimir … son of Johann Friedrich II; to Coburg 1572–1633
1567–1572 Johann Ernst III … son of Johann Friedrich II; in Eisenach 1572–1638
(division into Weimar, Coburg, and Eisenach 1572)
Dukes and grand dukes of Saxe-Weimar (Sachsen-Weimar)
1572–1573 Johann Wilhelm … son of duke Johann Friedrich I; duke since 1547
1573–1605 Johann,
the Pious … son of Johann Wilhelm
1605–1626 Johann Ernst I … son of Johann
& 1605–1622 Friedrich … son of Johann
& 1605–1662 Wilhelm … son of Johann
& 1605–1641 Albrecht … son of Johann; to Eisenach 1641–1644
& 1605–1628 Johann Friedrich … son of Johann
& 1605–1641 Ernst I, the Pious … son of Johann; to Saxe-Gotha 1641–1675
& 1605–1619 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Johann
& 1605–1639 Bernhard … son of Johann
1662–1683 Johann Ernst II … son of Wilhelm
1683–1728 Wilhelm Ernst … son of Johann Ernst II
& 1683–1707 Johann Ernst III … son of Johann Ernst II
1707–1748 Ernst August I … son of Johann Ernst III
& 1707–1715 Johann Ernst IV … son of Johann Ernst III
1748–1758 Ernst August II Konstantin … son of Ernst August I
1758–1828 Karl August … son of Ernst August II; grand duke 1815
1828–1853 Karl Friedrich … son of Karl August
1853–1901 Karl Alexander … son of Karl Friedrich
1901–1918 Wilhelm Ernst … son of Karl August, son of Karl Alexander; deposed, died 1923
(to Germany 1918)
Dukes of Saxe-Altenburg (Sachsen-Altenburg)
1573–1602 Friedrich Wilhelm I … son of duke Johann Wilhelm of Saxe-Weimar
1602–1639 Johann Philipp … son of Friedrich Wilhelm I
1639–1669 Friedrich Wilhelm II … posthumous son of Friedrich Wilhelm I
1669–1672 Friedrich Wilhelm III … son of Friedrich Wilhelm II
1672–1825 (to
Saxe-Gotha)
1826–1834 Friedrich … son of duke Ernst Friedrich III of Saxe-Hildburghausen
1834–1848 Joseph … son of Friedrich; abdicated, died 1868
1848–1853 Georg … son of Friedrich
1853–1908 Ernst I … son of Georg
1908–1918 Ernst II … son of Moritz, son of Georg; deposed, died 1955
(to Germany 1918)
Dukes of Saxe-Eisenach (Sachsen-Eisenach)
1662–1668 Adolf Wilhelm … son of duke Wilhelm of Saxe-Weimar
1668–1671 Wilhelm
August
… son of Adolf Wilhelm
(to
Saxe-Marksuhl
1671)
Dukes of Saxe-Marksuhl (Sachsen-Marksuhl) and (1671) Saxe-Eisenach
1662–1686 Johann Georg I … son of duke Wilhelm of Saxe-Weimar; inherited Eisenach 1671
1686–1698 Johann Georg II … son of Johann Georg I
(to Saxe-Jena 1698)
Dukes of Saxe-Jena (Sachsen-Jena) and (1698) Saxe-Eisenach
1662–1678 Bernhard … son of duke Wilhelm of Saxe-Weimar
1678–1690 Johann Wilhelm I … son of Bernhard
1690–1729 Johann Wilhelm II … son of duke Johann Georg I of Saxe-Eisenach (Marksuhl)
1729–1741 Wilhelm Heinrich … son of Johann Wilhelm II
(to Saxe-Weimar 1741)
Dukes of Saxe-Gotha (Sachsen-Gotha) and (1672) Saxe-Altenburg
1641–1675 Ernst
I,
the Pious … son of duke Johann of Saxe-Weimar; Altenburg 1672
1675–1691 Friedrich I … son of Ernst I
Albrecht … son of Ernst I; associated 1675; to Coburg 1680–1691
Bernhard I … son of Ernst I; associated 1675; to Meiningen 1680–1706
Heinrich … son of Ernst I; associated 1675; to Römhild 1680–1710
Christian … son of Ernst I; associated 1675; to Eisenberg 1680–1707
Ernst … son of Ernst I; associated 1675; to Hildburghausen 1680–1715
Johann Ernst … son of Ernst I; associated 1675; to Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld 1680–1729
1691–1732 Friedrich II … son of Friedrich I
1732–1772 Friedrich III … son of Friedrich II
1772–1804 Ernst II … son of Friedrich III
1804–1822 August … son of Ernst II
1822–1825 Friedrich IV … son of Ernst II
(Gotha to Saxe-Coburg, Altenburg to Saxe-Hildburghausen 1826)
Dukes of Saxe-Meiningen (Sachsen-Meiningen) and (1826) Hildburghausen, Saalfeld
1680–1706 Bernhard I … son of duke Ernst I of Saxe-Gotha
1706–1724 Ernst
Ludwig
I … son of Bernhard I
1724–1729 Ernst
Ludwig
II
… son of Ernst Ludwig I
1729–1743 Karl
Friedrich
… son of Ernst Ludwig I
1743–1746 Friedrich Wilhelm … son of Bernhard I; associated 1706
1746–1763 Anton Ulrich … son of Bernhard I; associated 1706
1763–1782 Karl … son of Anton Ulrich
1782–1803 Georg I … son of Anton Ulrich; associated 1763
1803–1866 Bernhard II … son of Georg I; Hildburghausen and Saalfeld 1826; abdicated, died 1882
1866–1914 Georg II … son of Bernhard II
1914–1918 Bernhard III … son of Georg II; deposed, died 1928
(to Germany 1918)
Dukes of Saxe-Hildburghausen (Sachsen-Hildburghausen)
1680–1715 Ernst … son of duke Ernst I of Saxe-Gotha
1715–1724 Ernst Friedrich I … son of Ernst
1724–1745 Ernst Friedrich II … son of Ernst Friedrich I
1745–1780 Ernst Friedrich III … son of Ernst Friedrich II
1780–1826 Friedrich … son of Ernst Friedrich III; to Saxe-Altenburg 1826–1834
(to Saxe-Meiningen 1826)
Dukes of Saxe-Coburg (Sachsen Coburg), (–1826) Saalfeld, and (1826) Gotha
1680–1729 Johann Ernst … son of duke Ernst I of Saxe-Gotha
1729–1745 Christian Ernst … son of Johann Ernst
1745–1764 Franz Josias … son of Johann Ernst; associated 1729
1764–1800 Ernst Friedrich … son of Franz Josias
1800–1806 Franz … son of Ernst Friedrich
1806–1844 Ernst I … son of Franz; exchanged Saalfeld for Gotha 1826
1844–1893 Ernst II … son of Ernst I
1893–1900 Alfred I … son of Albert, son of Ernst I
1900–1918 Karl Eduard I … son of Leopold, brother of Alfred I; deposed, died 1954
(to Germany 1918)
WALDECK-PYRMONT
The comital house of Waldeck appeared in the 11
th
century and divided into a great number of branches. The
counts of Waldeck-Eisenberg inherited the county of Pyrmont in 1625 and the last of the line took the title of
“prince of Waldeck and count of Pyrmont” in 1682. The counts of Waldeck-Wildungen succeeded to
Eisenberg and Pyrmont in 1692 and renewed the princely title in 1712, changing it to “prince of Waldeck and
Pyrmont” a century later. In 1871 the principality joined the German Empire.
Counts of Waldeck-Eisenberg and Pyrmont, then princes of Waldeck-Pyrmont
House of Waldeck
1578–1588 Josias I … son of count Wolrad II of Waldeck and Eisenberg
1588–1607 Christian … son of Josias I; to Waldeck and Wildungen 1607–1637
& 1588–1640 Wolrad IV … son of Josias I; count of Pyrmont 1625
1640–1645 Philipp Theodor … son of Wolrad IV
1645–1664 Heinrich
Wolrad
… son of Philipp Theodor
1664–1692 Georg Friedrich … son of Wolrad IV; prince of Waldeck and count of Pyrmont 1682
(to Waldeck-Wildungen 1692)
Counts of Waldeck-Wildungen, then princes of Waldeck-Pyrmont
1607–1637 Christian … son of count Josias I; count of Waldeck and Eisenberg 1588–1607
1637–1645 Philipp VII … son of Christian
& 1623–1668 Johann II … son of Christian; in Landau
1645–1706 Christian
Ludwig … son of Philipp VII
& 1645–1669 Josias II … son of Philipp VII; in Wildungen
1706–1728 Anton Ulrich … son of Christian Ludwig; prince of Waldeck and count of Pyrmont 1712
1728 Christian Philipp … son of Anton Ulrich
1728–1763 Karl … son of Anton Ulrich
1763–1812 Friedrich I … son of Karl
1812–1813 Georg I … son of Karl; prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont 1812
1813–1845 Georg II … son of Georg I
1845–1893 Georg Victor … son of Georg II
1893–1918 Friedrich II … son of Georg Victor; deposed, died 1946
(to Germany 1918)
WÜRTTEMBERG
The small lordship of Württemberg became a county in 1241 and was greatly increased in size by the counts
through conquests, marriages, and purchases. The territory was declared indivisible in 1473 and the emperor
made it a duchy in 1495. During the Napoleonic wars Württemberg became an electorate in 1803 and then a
kingdom in 1806. The kingdom of Württemberg joined the German Empire in 1871.
Counts of Württemberg
1240–c.1243 Eberhard I … son of lord Ludwig of Württemberg
& 1240–1265 Ulrich I, the Founder … brother of Eberhard I; count 1241
1265–1279 Ulrich II … son of Ulrich I
1279–1325 Eberhard
II,
the Illustrious … son of Ulrich I
1325–1344 Ulrich III … son of Eberhard II
1344–1392 Eberhard
III,
the Wrangler … son of Ulrich III
& 1344–1366 Ulrich IV … son of Ulrich III
1392–1417 Eberhard
IV,
the Mild … son of Ulrich, son of Eberhard III
1417–1419 Eberhard
V,
the Younger … son of Eberhard IV
1419–1450 Ludwig I … son of Eberhard V; in Urach 1441
& 1419–1480 Ulrich V, the Beloved … son of Eberhard V; in Stuttgart 1441
1450–1457 Ludwig II … son of Ludwig I
& 1450–1495 Erberhard VI, the Bearded … son of Ludwig I; duke 1495–1496
1480–1496 Eberhard
VII,
the Younger … son of Ulrich V; duke 1496–1498; died 1504
Dukes of Württemberg
1495–1496 Eberhard
I,
the Bearded … former count of Württemberg 1450–1495
1496–1498 Eberhard
II,
the Younger … former count of Württemberg 1480–1496; deposed, died 1504
1498–1519 Ulrich … son of count Heinrich of Mömpelgard, son of Ulrich V; deposed
1519–1534 (to the Empire)
1534–1550 Ulrich … restored
1550–1568 Christoph … son of Ulrich
1568–1593 Ludwig,
the Pious … son of Christoph
1593–1608 Friedrich I … son of Georg, brother of Ulrich
1608–1628 Johann Friedrich … son of Friedrich I
1628–1674 Eberhard III … son of Johann Friedrich
1674–1677 Wilhelm Ludwig … son of Eberhard III
1677–1733 Eberhard IV Ludwig … son of Wilhelm Ludwig
1733–1737 Karl I Alexander … son of duke Friedrich Karl of Winnental, son of Eberhard III
1737–1793 Karl II Eugen … son of Karl I
1793–1795 Ludwig Eugen … son of Karl I
1795–1797 Friedrich II Eugen … son of Karl I
1797–1803 Friedrich
III,
the Fat … son of Friedrich II Eugen; elector 1803–1805; king 1806–1816
Electors and kings of Württemberg
1803–1816 Friedrich
I,
the Fat … former duke (1797–1803) of Württemberg; elector 1803; king 1806
1816–1864 Wilhelm I … son of Friedrich I
1864–1891 Karl I … son of Wilhelm I
1891–1918 Wilhelm II … son of Friedrich, son of Paul, son of Friedrich I; deposed, died 1921
(to Germany 1918)