Minor German
States
The nature of Feudalism, as it emerged throughout
Europe during the Middle Ages, changed to one degree or another depending
on which culture played host. In some realms, the sovereign developed into
a towering magnet for all the political processes in the state, leaving
local lords to become increasingly dependent on the central government.
Other realms saw local lords and sovereigns engage in a protracted struggle
for power, sometimes spanning centuries, causing a central government to
evolve that left a place for a strong and active nobility. In Germany,
the combination of succession laws favouring partititioning titles and
lands equally among all descendents of a grantee, together with a particularly
turbulent and irascible nobility, guarenteed the emergence of hundreds
of small states. Each had a considerable degree of autonomy, each had its
own peculiar traditions, each was liable to be united with its neighbours
or further subdivided, depending upon genealogical accident. Here is a
small sampling of some of these minor states...
ANHALT-DESSAU
An ancient family with lands in Ostmark (Brandenburg-Prussia),
Imperial Princes from the early 13th century. This list follows the fortunes
of Anhalt-Dessau, usually the elder branch (Anhalt-Zerbst was the senior
branch 1544-1603). Dessau became a Duchy in 1807, and by 1863 was the only
surviving branch of the House in existence.
- ASCANIAN
- Henry I...........................................1218-1245 d.
1252
- Anhalt-Zerbst
- Sigfried..........................................1245-1310
- Albert I..........................................1310-1316
- Albert II.........................................1316-1362 with...
- Waldemar I........................................1316-1367 with...
- John II...........................................1362-1382 and...
- Waldemar II.......................................1362-1370
- Anhalt-Dessau from 1396
- Sigismund I.......................................1382-1405 with...
- Albert III (Prince of Anhalt-Cothen 1396-1423)....1382-1396
d. 1423 and...
- Waldemar III......................................1382-1392
- Waldemar V........................................1405-< 1424
with...
- Sigismund II......................................1405-1448 and...
- Albert VI.........................................1405-1448 and...
- George I..........................................1405-1471 d.
1474
- Ernest I..........................................1471-1516 with...
- George II the Strong..............................1471-1509 and...
- Sigismund III.....................................1471-1487 and...
- Rudolph IV........................................1471-1510
- Anhalt-Zerbst (Plotzkau and Dessau reunited with
Zerbst 1553, 1561)
- John V............................................1516-1551 with...
- George III (Prince of Anhalt-PlotzKau 1544-1553)..1516-1544
and... d. 1553
- Joachim I (Prince of Anhalt-Dessau 1544-1561).....1516-1544
d. 1561
- Charles I (in Zerbst).............................1551-1561
with...
- Joachim II Ernest (in Koslau: Plotz.
53, Des. 70).1551-1586 and...
- Bernard VII (in Dessau)...........................1551-1570
- Anhalt-Dessau from 1603
- John George I.....................................1586-1618 with...
- Christian I (Prince of A.-Bernburg 1603-1630).....1586-1603
and... d. 1630
- Augustus (Prince of A.-Plotzkau 1603-1653)........1586-1603
and... d. 1653
- Rudolph (Prince of A.-Zerbst 1603-1621)...........1586-1603
and... d. 1621
- Louis (Prince of A.-Cothen 1603-1649).............1586-1603
d. 1649
- John Casimir......................................1618-1660
- John George II....................................1660-1693
- Leopold the Old Dessauer..........................1693-1747
- Leopold Maximilian................................1747-1751
- Leopold Frederick Francis.........................1751-1817
- Leopold Frederick.................................1817-1871
- Frederick I.......................................1871-1904
- Frederick II......................................1904-1918
- Edward.......................................Apr-Sept. 1918
- Joachim.....................................Sept.-Nov. 1918 d.
1947
AREMBERG
A small Rhenish territory, just across the Rhine from Koblenz.
A Principality from 1576, and a Duchy from 1645, it was raised to fully
sovereign status 1806-1810, under Napoleon.
- De LIGNE
- Charles I.........................................1576-1616
- Philip Charles....................................1616-1640
- Philip Francis....................................1640-1675
- Charles Eugene....................................1675-1681
- Philip Charles Francis............................1681-1691
- Leopold...........................................1691-1754
- Charles II........................................1754-1778
- Louis Engelbert...................................1778-1803 d.
1820
- Prosper Louis.....................................1803-1810 d.
1861
- To France.........................................1810-1814
- To Prussia........................................1814-1918
BERG
In far western Germany, near Aachen. A County from 1093. A Duchy from 1380.
Made a Grand Duchy for the benefit of Napoleon's brother-in-law, and then
brother, at the beginning of the 19th century.
- DEUTZ
- Adolph III........................................1093-1132 d.
1152
- Adolph IV.........................................1132-1160
- Engelbert I.......................................1160-1189 with...
- Eberhard of Marck.................................1160-1180
- Adolph V..........................................1189-1218
- Irmgard...........................................1218-1247
- LIMBURG
- Adolph VI.........................................1247-1259
- Adolph VII........................................1259-1296
- William...........................................1296-1308
- Adolph VIII.......................................1308-1348
- Margaret..........................................1348-1366 d.
1384
- To Julich.........................................1366-1511
- To Cleves.........................................1511-1609
- To Palatinate-Neuburg.............................1609-1799
- To Bavaria........................................1799-1805
- To France.........................................1805-1806
- MURAT
- Joachim...........................................1806-1808 d.
1815
- To France.........................................1808-1810
- BONAPARTE
- Louis.............................................1810-1813 d.
1831
- To Prussia........................................1813-1918
BRUNSWICK-WOLFENBUTTEL
An old and important division of the Brunswick (Braunschweig) lands in
northwestern Germany, by the 18th century it was a small and relatively
insignificant state, completely overshadowed by Hannover.
- WELF
- Magnus I the Pious................................1345-1369
- Magnus II With the Chain..........................1369-1373
- Henry III.........................................1373-1416
- William III the Victorious........................1416-1482 with...
- Henry IV the Peaceful.............................1416-1473
- William IV the Younger............................1482-1495 d.
1503 with...
- Frederick IV the Unsteady.........................1482-1485 d.
1495
- Henry VIII the Savage.............................1495-1514
- Henry IX the Younger..............................1514-1568
- Julius............................................1568-1589
- Henry Julius......................................1589-1613
- Frederick Ulrich..................................1613-1634
- Brunswick-Hitzacker, called B.-Wolfenbuttel after
1634
- Augustus II.......................................1634-1666
- Rudolph Augustus..................................1666-1704 with...
- Anthony Ulrich....................................1666-1714
- Augustus William..................................1714-1731
- Louis Rudolph.....................................1731-1735
- Ferdinand Albert.......................................1735
- Charles I.........................................1735-1780
- Charles William Ferdinand.........................1780-1806
- To France.........................................1806-1807
- To Westphalia.....................................1807-1813
- Frederick William.................................1813-1815
- Charles II........................................1815-1830 d.
1873
- William...........................................1830-1884
- To Prussia........................................1884-1913
- Brunswick-Luneburg (Hannover)
- Ernest Augustus...................................1913-1918 d.
1953
CLEVES
On the Lower Rhine, just inside Germany at the Dutch border. A County
from 1100, a Duchy from 1417.
- CLEVES
- Dietrich I........................................1100-1119
- Arnold I..........................................1119-1147 ?
- Dietrich II.....................................1147 ?-1172
- Dietrich III....................................1172 ?-1188 ?
- Dietrich IV.......................................1188-1198
- Arnold II.........................................1198-1201
- Dietrich V........................................1201-1260
- Dietrich VI.......................................1260-1275
- Dietrich VII......................................1275-1305
- Otto..............................................1305-1311
- Dietrich VIII.....................................1311-1347
- John..............................................1347-1368
- To Marck..........................................1368-1448
- DEUTZ
- John I............................................1448-1481
- John II...........................................1481-1521
- John III the Peaceful.............................1521-1539
- William the Rich..................................1539-1592
- John William......................................1592-1609
- To Brandenburg (-Prussia from 1701)...............1609-1805
- To France.........................................1805-1806
- To Berg...........................................1806-1808
- To France.........................................1808-1810
- To Berg...........................................1810-1813
- To Prussia........................................1813-1918
FREE IMPERIAL CITIES
Scattered throughout the Holy Roman Empire were a number of cities which
held full autonomy from all save the Emperor himself. In most instances
these republics held very small territories, but they are very great significance
in the development of German culture and history. Here is a selection of
such states...
- AACHEN... Free
City c. 1250-1801. To France 1801-1815, To
Prussia 1815-1918.
- AUGSBURG... Free
City 1276-1806. To Bavaria 1806-1918.
- BREMEN... To
Bps of Bremen until 1646. Free City 1646-1806.
To France 1806-1813. Free
City 1813-1918.
- COLOGNE... Free
City 1288-1794. To France 1794-1813. To Prussia
1813-1918.
- DORTMUND... Free
City 1220-1803. To Nassau-Dillenburg 1803-1815,
To Prussia 1815-1918.
- ERFURT... Free
City c. 1250-1664. To Mainz 1664-1802. To
Prussia 1802-1806, To France 1806-1814. To Prussia 1814-1918.
- FRANKFURT am MAIN...
Free City 1372-1806.
Given to Charles von Dalberg, Prince Primate and head of Napoleon's Confederation
of the Rhine, in 1806. GRAND DUCHY of
FRANKFURT Charles von Dalberg 1810-1814. Free
City 1814-1866. To Prussia 1866-1918.
- GOSLAR... Free
City 1290-1802. To Prussia 1802-1807. To Westphalia
1807-1814. To Prussia 1814-1815. To Hannover 1815-1866. To Prussia 1866-1918.
- HALLE... Free
City 1281-1478. To Abps. Magdeburg 1478-1648.
To Brandenburg-Prussia 1648-1918.
- HAMBURG... Free
City 1189-1810. To France 1810-1814.
Free City 1814-1918.
- HILDESHEIM... Free
City 1300-1803. To Prussia 1803-1815. To Hannover
1815-1866. To Prussia 1866-1918.
- LUBECK... Free
City 1226-1810. To France 1810-1814. Free
City 1814-1918.
- MUHLHAUSEN... Free
City 1256 >-1802. To Prussia 1802-1807.
To Westphalia 1807-1814. To Prussia 1814-1918.
- NURNBURG... Free
City 1219-1806. To Bavaria 1806-1918.
- REGENSBURG... Free
City 1180-1803. Assigned to Charles von Dalberg,
Prince Primate 1803-1810. To Bavaria 1810-1918.
- ULM... Free
City 1155-1803. To Bavaria 1803-1809. To Wurttemberg
1809-1918.
FRIEDBERG
(in der Wetterau) In Hesse. A Town and Citadel governed by
an association of local Barons and Knights whose administrative chief was
an elective Burggrave. Most of its lands absorbed by Hesse-Darmstadt in
1806, the balance taken in 1818.
- Giselbert..............................................1217
- Burchard...............................................1219
- Ludolf I..........................................1228-1236
- Rupert I von Carben...............................1239-1240
- Erwin von Kranichsberg............................1249-1250
- Franko.................................................1260
- Rupert II von Carben..............................1265-1268
- Godfrey von Brunneck..............................1272-1275
- Rupert II von Carben (restored)........................1276
- Frederick von Carben...................................1286
- Rupert II von Carben (re-restored).....................1288
- Frederick von Carben (restored)...................1290-1302
- Henry I von Pfaffenang.................................1304
- Wiegand von Buches.....................................1310
- Wenceslaus von Cleen...................................1324
- Ludolf II.........................................1336-1348
- John I von Bellersheim............................1348-1361
- Rudolph I von Sachsenhausen............................1364
- Eberhard I Weyss von Fauerbach....................1367-1386
- Eberhard II Loew von Steinfurt....................1386-1405
- Eberhard III Weyss von Fauerbach..................1405-1408
- Eberhard IV Loew von Steinfurt....................1408-1442
- Henne I von Stockhaus..................................1448
- Herman I Weyss von Fauerbach......................1456-1459
- Rudolph II von Cleen..............................1462-1468
- Henne II von Bellersheim..........................1468-1474
- Louis I Weyss von Fauerbach.......................1474-1483
- Emeric von Carben.................................1483-1504
- Eberhard V Weyss von Fauerbach....................1504-1526
- Louis II Loew von Steinfurt.......................1526-1533
- John II Brendel von Homburg.......................1533-1570
- Henry II Ogger von Homburg........................1570-1577
- John Eberhard von Kronberg........................1577-1617
- Conrad Loew von Steinfurt.........................1617-1632
- Wolf Adolph von Carben............................1632-1671
- John Eitel I von Diede zu Furstenstein............1671-1685
- John III von Schlitz..............................1685-1699
- Adolph John Charles von Bettendorf................1700-1706
- John IV Loew von Steinfurt........................1707-1710
- John Erwin von Greiffenklau zu Vollraths..........1710-1727
- Herman II Riedesel von Lauterbach.................1727-1745
- John Eitel II von Diede zu Furstenstein...........1745-1748
- Ernest Louis von Breitenbach zu Breitenstein......1749-1755
- Francis Henry von Dalberg.........................1755-1777
- John Maria Rudolph von Waldbott-Bassenheim........1777-1805
- Clement Augustus von Westphalen zu Furstenberg....1805-1818
- To Hesse-Darmstadt................................1818-1918
HOHENZOLLERN-HECHINGEN
Although this family is inextricably associated with Brandenburg,
Prussia, and Imperial Germany of the 19th century, its roots are in Swabia.
Here is the elder line of the senior branch of the dynasty, Princes of
the Empire from 1623, rulers of a narrow territory within Wurttemberg.
- HOHENZOLLERN
- John George (C. of H-Hechingen 1604-1623)...Mar.-Sept.
1623
- Eitel Frederick V.................................1623-1661
- Philip Frederick Christopher......................1661-1671
- Frederick William.................................1671-1735
- Frederick Louis...................................1735-1750
- Joseph William Francis............................1750-1798
- Herman Frederick Otto.............................1798-1810
- Frederick Herman..................................1810-1838
- Frederick William Constantine.....................1838-1849 d.
1869
- To Prussia........................................1849-1918
HOHENZOLLERN-SIGMARINGEN
As mentioned above, this family, long associated with Brandenburg, Prussia,
and Imperial Germany of the 19th century, has its roots in Swabia. Here
is the younger line of the senior branch of the dynasty, Princes of the
Empire from 1623, rulers of a narrow territory within Wurttemberg. This
branch of the family is the source of the Princes (1866-1881) and Kings
(1881-1947) of Romania.
- HOHENZOLLERN
- John (Count of H.-Sigmaringen 1606-1623)..........1623-1638
- Meinhard I........................................1638-1681
- Maximilian........................................1681-1689
- Meinhard II.......................................1689-1716
- Joseph Frederick Ernest...........................1716-1769
- Charles Frederick.................................1769-1785
- Anthony Aloysius..................................1785-1831
- Charles...........................................1831-1848 d.
1853
- Charles Anthony...................................1848-1849 d.
1885
- To Prussia........................................1849-1918
ISENBURG
East of Frankfurt am Main, with territory along the river.
Counts from 1442, the senior branch of the family were granted status as
Princes in 1744. Compliance to French interests gave that branch sovereign
Principality status in 1806. The Principality was mediatized in 1815. The
list follows the fortunes of Isenburg-Birstein and its relicts, senior
branch 1439-1511, and again from 1601.
- Isenburg-Budingen
- Henry II..........................................1341-1378
- John I............................................1378-1395
- John II...........................................1395-1408
- Dieter II (1st Imp. Count, 1442)..................1408-1461
- Louis II..........................................1461-1511
- Isenburg-Birstein
- John III..........................................1511-1533
- Reinhard..........................................1533-1568 with...
- Philip............................................1533-1596
- Louis III.........................................1533-1588
- Wolfgang Ernest I.................................1596-1628 d.
1631
- Isenburg-Offenbach
- Wolfgang Henry....................................1628-1635
- To Hesse..........................................1635-1643
- John Louis........................................1643-1685
- John Philip (in Offenbach)........................1685-1711
d. 1718; with...
- William Maurice (in Philippseich).................1685-1711
and...
- Christian Henry (in Eisenberg & Langenselbold)....1685-1711
d. 1758
- Isenburg-Birstein
- Wolfgang Ernest I (1st Imp. Prince, 1744).........1711-1754
- Wolfgang Ernest II................................1754-1803
- Charles (Prince of Isenburg 1806-1815)............1803-1815
d. 1820
- To Hesse-Darmstadt................................1815-1918
JEVER A
chip of Frisian territory, a Barony occupying the western headland of the
Weser estuary. It is something of an oddity in that a chance inheritance
to Anhalt-Zerbst brought about its endowerment to Russia through Catherine
the Great.
- PAPINGA
- Sibeth I Wimken (Lord of Hove and Oldenbrugge)....1330-1341
d. c. 1359
- Edo Wimken I (Ruler in Jever).....................1353-1414
- Sibeth II.........................................1414-1433
- Havlo Harles......................................1433-1442
- Tanne Duren.......................................1442-1468
- Edo Wimken II (in Jever)..........................1468-1511
with...
- Sibeth III (in Sibethsburg).......................1468-1488
- Christopher.......................................1511-1517
- Anna..............................................1517-1536
- Maria.............................................1536-1575
- To Oldenburg......................................1575-1667
- To Anhalt-Zerbst..................................1667-1793
- To Russia.........................................1793-1807
- To Holland........................................1807-1810
- To France.........................................1810-1813
- To Russia.........................................1813-1818
- To Oldenburg......................................1818-1918
JULICH
In far western Germany, near Aachen. A County from 1143, a Margraviate
from 1336, a Duchy from 1356.
- JULICH
- William I.........................................1143-1176
- William II........................................1176-1207
- William III.......................................1207-1219
- William IV........................................1219-1277 with...
- William V.........................................1274-1277
- Walram............................................1277-1297
- Gerhard VI........................................1297-1328
- William VI (I from 1356)..........................1328-1361
- William II........................................1361-1393
- William III.......................................1393-1402
- Reynald...........................................1402-1423
- Adolph............................................1423-1437
- Gerhard VII.......................................1437-1475
- William IV........................................1475-1511
- To Berg (Cleves)..................................1511-1609
- To Palatinate-Neuburg.............................1609-1799
- To Bavaria........................................1799-1805
- To France.........................................1805-1806
- To Berg...........................................1806-1808
- To France.........................................1808-1810
- To Berg...........................................1810-1813
- To Prussia........................................1813-1918
LEYEN
A small territory in the Rhineland, between Speyer and Worms. Lords of
Abendorf, they became Barons of the Empire in 1653, and Counts of the Empire
in 1711. For acquiescence to French interests, they were granted a Sovereign
Principality during Napoleonic times.
- LEYEN
- Michael..........................................1554-1576
- ?
- Damian...........................................1583-1612
- ?
- Hugo Ernest......................................1652-1670
- Charles Caspar...................................1670-1739
- Frederick Ferdinand Francis Anthony..............1739-1760
- Francis Charles..................................1760-1775
- Philip Francis (Prince of Leyen 1806-1814).......1775-1814
d. 1829
- To Baden.........................................1814-1918
LIPPE-DETMOLD
In Westphalia. A County from 1529, the district was elevated
to a Principality in 1720, which was, however, not confirmed until 1789.
- LIPPE
- Simon V...........................................1529-1536
- Lippe-Detmold
- Bernard VIII......................................1536-1563
- Simon VI..........................................1563-1613
- Simon VII.........................................1613-1627
- Herman Adolph.....................................1627-1666
- Simon Henry.......................................1666-1697
- Frederick Adolph..................................1697-1718
- Simon Henry Adolph................................1718-1734
- Simon Augustus....................................1734-1782
- Leopold I.........................................1782-1802
- Leopold II........................................1802-1851
- Leopold III.......................................1851-1875
- Woldemar..........................................1875-1895
- Alexander.........................................1895-1905
- Leopold IV........................................1905-1918 d.
1949
MARCK A
Rhenish district near the Dutch frontier. A County from 1208. A Duchy from
1417.
- DEUTZ
- Adolph I..........................................1208-1249
- Engelbert I.......................................1249-1277
- Eberhard II.......................................1277-1308
- Engelbert II......................................1308-1328
- Adolph II.........................................1328-1347
- Engelbert III.....................................1347-1391
- Adolph III........................................1391-1394
- Dietrich..........................................1394-1398
- Gerhard (in Marck)................................1398-1461
with...
- Adolph IV (in Cleves).............................1398-1448
- Cleves (see above) emerges as a separate Duchy
1448, and reabsorbs Marck in 1461.
MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ
The younger surviving branch of the Mecklenburg domains, possessors of
a small territory at the southeast corner of Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
and like their more significant cousins, Grand Dukes in their lands from
1815.
- To Mecklenburg-Schwerin until 1658
- NIKLOTING
- Adolph Frederick II...............................1658-1708
- Adolph Frederick III..............................1708-1752
- Adolph Frederick IV...............................1752-1794
- Charles...........................................1794-1816
- George............................................1816-1860
- Frederick William.................................1860-1904
- Adolph Frederick V................................1904-1914
- Adolph Frederick VI...............................1914-1918
- To Mecklenburg-Schwerin......................Feb.-Nov.
1918
NASSAU-ORANGE
This represents one line (usually the elder) of the Junior branch of the
Nassau dynasts. The city of Orange is
a market town in southeast France. An independent County during the Middle
Ages, it was inherited by the Nassavians listed below, but was seized by
France in 1660, and formally ceded to it in 1714. Thus, the title was for
much of its later duration nominal only. Nevertheless, the House of Nassau-Orange
has had a large impact on Europe and the world, so it is only right to
record them here.
- NASSAU
- Otto..............................................1255-1290
- Nassau-Siegen from 1303
- Henry I (inherited Dillenburg 1328)...............1290-1343
with...
- Emich I (Count of Nassau-Hadamar 1303-1334).......1290-1303
d. 1334 and...
- John (Count of Nassau-Dillenburg 1303-1328).......1290-1303
d. 1328
- Nassau-Dillenburg
- Otto II...........................................1343-1350
- John I............................................1350-1416
- Adolph............................................1416-1420
- John II...........................................1420-1443 with...
- Engelbert I.......................................1420-1442 and...
- John III..........................................1420-1429
- John IV...........................................1442-1475 with...
- Henry II..........................................1442-1451
- Engelbert II......................................1475-1504 with...
- John V............................................1475-1516
- Nassau-Breda
- Henry III.........................................1516-1538
- Rene (Prince of Orange 1540-1544).................1538-1544
- Nassau-Dillenburg
- William the Rich (Co. of N.-Dillenb. 1516-1559)...1544-1559
- Nassau-Orange
- William I the Silent (in the Neth. 1568-1584).....1559-1584
- Philip William....................................1584-1618
- Maurice (in the Neth. 1587-1625)..................1618-1625
- Frederick Henry (in the Netherlands also).........1625-1647
- William II (in the Netherlands also)..............1647-1650
- William III (Neth. 1672-1702; Engl.
1689-1702)....1650-1674 d. 1702
- To better pursue his foreign concerns, William
III ceded to Nassau-Dietz the Dillenburg lands and Orange claims.
- Nassau-Dietz
- Henry Casimir II (Pr. of N.-Dietz 1662-1696)......1674-1696
- Nassau-Orange from 1702
- John William Friso (Netherlands 1702-1711)........1696-1711
- William IV (Netherlands also).....................1711-1751
- William V Batavus (Neth. also)....................1751-1806
- William VI........................................1806-1814 d.
1843
- At the conclusion of the Napoleonic era, William
VI was nominated to be King of the Netherlands as William I, and ceded
his German lands once and for all, to Nassau-Weilburg.
REUSS-(Ober-)GREIZ
In Thuringia, Counts from 1673, Princes from 1778. This is
the elder surviving line. The Family of Reuss is noted for always naming
every male child "Heinrich", using a variety of ennumeration
systems to differentiate one from another; a practice adhered to since
the 12th century.
- REUSS
- Henry I...........................................1673-1681
- Henry VI (in Ober-Greiz)..........................1681-1697
with...
- Henry XV..........................................1681-1690 and...
- Henry XVI (in Dolau)..............................1681-1698
with...
- Henry I...........................................1697-1714
- Henry II..........................................1714-1722
- Henry IX..........................................1722-1723
- Henry XI..........................................1723-1800
- Henry XIII........................................1800-1817
- Henry XIX.........................................1817-1836
- Henry XX..........................................1836-1859
- Henry XXII........................................1859-1902
- Henry XXIV........................................1902-1918 d.
1927
REUSS-SCHLIEZ
In Thuringia, Counts from 1673, Princes from 1806. This represents
the younger surviving line. As mentioned above, the family of Reuss has
named every male child "Heinrich", for the past 800 years or
more.
- REUSS
- Henry I...........................................1673-1692
- Henry XI..........................................1692-1726
- Henry I...........................................1726-1744
- Henry XII.........................................1744-1784
- Henry XLII........................................1784-1818
- Henry LXII........................................1818-1854
- Henry LXVII.......................................1854-1867
- Henry XIV.........................................1867-1913
- Henry XXVII.......................................1913-1918 d.
1928
SAXE-ALTENBURG
In Thuringia, another of the Saxon duchies associated with
the elder (Ernestine) branch of the Wettins.
- To Saxe-Weimar until 1602
- WETTIN
- John Philip.......................................1602-1639
- Frederick William II..............................1639-1669
- Frederick William III.............................1669-1672
- To Saxe-Gotha.....................................1672-1680
- Gotha-Altenburg
- Frederick I.......................................1680-1691
- Frederick II......................................1691-1732
- Frederick III.....................................1732-1772
- Ernest II.........................................1772-1804
- Augustus Ernest Leopold...........................1804-1822
- Frederick IV......................................1822-1825
- In 1825 this line became extinct, causing a major
reshuffling of territories and titles among the Thuringian Saxon Duchies.
The district of Gotha was granted to Saxe-Coburg, while Altenburg itself
was given to the erstwhile dukes of Saxe-Hildburghausen, the state being
called simply Saxe-Altenburg therafter.
- Frederick (V).....................................1825-1834
- Joseph............................................1834-1848 d.
1868
- George............................................1848-1853
- Ernest I (III)....................................1853-1908
- Ernest II.........................................1908-1918 d.
1955
SAXE-COBURG
In Thuringia. The Ducal Branch delineated here is the progenitor
of the Royal Houses of Belgium, Great Britain, Portugal, and Bulgaria.
- WETTIN
- Saxe-Gotha (See Saxe-Weimar, below, for earlier
Dukes)
- Ernest the Pious..................................1640-1675
- Frederick I.......................................1675-1680
- Saxe-Coburg
- Albert............................................1680-1699
- Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
- John Ernest (Duke of Saxe-Saalfeld 1680-1699).....1699-1729
- Christian Ernest..................................1729-1745 with...
- Francis Josias....................................1729-1764
- Ernest Frederick..................................1764-1800
- Francis Frederick Anthony.........................1800-1806
- Saxe-Coburg-Gotha from 1826
- Ernest I..........................................1806-1844
- Ernest II.........................................1844-1893
- Alfred (Duke of Edinburgh in the UK)..............1893-1900
- Charles Edward (D. of Albany in UK 1884-1918).....1900-1918
d. 1954
SAXE-HILDBURGHAUSEN
In Thuringia, another of the Saxon duchies associated with
the elder (Ernestine) branch of the Wettins.
- To Saxe Weimar to 1675
- To Saxe-Gotha.....................................1675-1680
- WETTIN
- Ernest............................................1680-1715
- Ernest Frederick I................................1715-1724
- Ernest Frederick II...............................1724-1745
- Ernest Frederick III..............................1745-1780
- Joseph Frederick William..........................1780-1784 d.
1787
- Frederick.........................................1784-1826 d.
1834
- In the reshuffling of 1825-1826, the territory
of Hildburghausen went mostly to Saxe Meiningen, while the Dukes themselves
became Dukes of Saxe-Altenburg.
SAXE-MEININGEN
In Thuringia. Called Saxe-Meiningen und Hildburghausen after
1826. George II will be known to historians of the theatre as an important
figure in the development of modern stage production.
- WETTIN
- Bernard III.......................................1680-1706
- Ernest Louis I....................................1706-1724
- Ernest Louis II...................................1724-1729
- Charles Frederick.................................1729-1743
- Frederick William.................................1743-1746
- Anthony Ulrich....................................1746-1763
- Charles Augustus Frederick William................1763-1782
- George I..........................................1782-1803
- Bernard II Eric Freund............................1803-1866 d.
1882
- George II.........................................1866-1914
- Bernard III.......................................1914-1918 d.
1928
SAXE-WEIMAR
In Thuringia. A Duchy from 1554, a Grand Duchy from 1815.
From 1672, the senior surviving branch of the House of Wettin.
- WETTIN
- John William......................................1554-1573
- Frederick William I (in Altenburg)................1573-1602
with...
- John (in Weimar)..................................1573-1605
- John Ernest.......................................1605-1626 with...
- Frederick.........................................1605-1622 and...
- William...........................................1605-1662 and...
- Albert (Duke of Saxe-Eisenach 1640-1644)..........1605-1640
and... d. 1644
- John Frederick....................................1605-1628 and...
- Ernest the Pious (Duke of Saxe-Gotha 1640-1675)...1605-1640
and... d. 1675
- Frederick William.................................1605-1619 and...
- Bernard (Duke of Franconia 1633-1639).............1605-1639
- John Ernest I.....................................1662-1683
- William Ernest (in Weimar)........................1683-1728
with...
- John Ernest II (in Kapellendorf)..................1683-1707
and then...
- Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach from 1741
- Ernest Augustus (in Kapellendorf).................1707-1748
- Ernest Augustus Constantine.......................1748-1758
- Charles Augustus..................................1758-1828
- Charles Frederick.................................1828-1853
- Charles Alexander.................................1853-1901
- William Ernest....................................1901-1918 d.
1923
SCHAUMBURG-LIPPE
In Westphalia. Another Lippe possession (see above, Lippe-Detmold),
it pursued a separate identity after 1613, and was granted Princely status
in 1807.
- To Lippe until 1613
- Lippe-Alverdissen (Schaumburg-Lippe after 1640)
- Philip II.........................................1613-1681
- Frederick Christian...............................1681-1728
- Albert Wolfgang...................................1728-1748
- Frederick William Ernest (in Alverdissen
1723-49).1748-1777
- Philip Ernest II (C. of L.-Alverdissen 1749-1787).1777-1787
- George William....................................1787-1860
- Adolph George.....................................1860-1893
- George............................................1893-1911
- Adolph............................................1911-1918 d.
1936
SCHWARZBURG-RUDOLSTADT
In Thuringia. An old family of local Counts, this branch
(the younger surviving branch of the House) was elevated to Princely status
in 1710.
- SCHWARZBURG
- Louis Frederick I.................................1710-1718
- Frederick Anthony (in Rudolstadt).................1718-1744
with...
- William Louis (in Grafenau).......................1718-1757
and...
- Albert Anthony III (in Paulinzelle)...............1718-1720
and then...
- John Frederick....................................1744-1767
- Louis Gunther IV..................................1767-1790
- Frederick Charles.................................1790-1793
- Louis Frederick II................................1793-1807
- Frederick Gunther.................................1807-1867
- Albert............................................1867-1869
- George............................................1869-1890
- Gunther Victor....................................1890-1918 d.
1925
SCHWARZBURG-SONDERHAUSEN
In Thuringia. An old family of local Counts, this branch
(the elder surviving branch of the House) was elevated to Princely status
in 1697.
- SCHWARZBURG
- Christian William.................................1697-1721
- Gunther XLIII.....................................1721-1740
- Henry XLVII.......................................1740-1758
- Christian Gunther III.............................1758-1794
- Gunther Frederick Charles I.......................1794-1835 d.
1837
- Gunther Frederick Charles II......................1835-1880 d.
1889
- Charles Gunther...................................1880-1909
- To Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt.........................1909-1918
WALDECK-PYRMONT
In Hesse. A County from 1349, a Principality from 1712.
- WALDECK
- Otto II...........................................1349-1369
- Henry VI..........................................1369-1397
- Henry VII.........................................1397-1444
- Volrad I..........................................1444-1474
- Waldeck-Eisenberg
- Philip II.........................................1474-1524
- Philip III........................................1524-1539
- Volrad II.........................................1539-1578
- Josias............................................1578-1588 with...
- Volrad III........................................1578-1587
- Christian.........................................1588-1638 with...
- Volrad IV (C. of W.-Wildungen 1607-1640)..........1588-1607
d. 1640
- John II (in Landau)...............................1638-1668
with...
- Philip VI (in Eisenberg)..........................1638-1645
and then...
- Christian Louis (in Eisenberg)....................1645-1706
- Waldeck-Pyrmont
- Anthony Ulrich....................................1706-1728
- Christian Philip.......................................1728
- Charles...........................................1728-1763
- Frederick.........................................1763-1812
- George............................................1812-1813
- George Henry......................................1813-1845
- George Victor.....................................1845-1893
- Frederick Adolph Herman...........................1893-1918 d.
1946
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