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House of Welf

(Redirected from House of Guelf)
For its maternal parent house, see Elder House of Welf. For its paternal parent house, see House of Este. For the faction supporting the pope in medieval Italy, see Guelphs and Ghibellines.

The House of Welf (also Guelf or Guelph[1]) is a European dynasty that has included many German and British monarchs from the 11th to 20th century and Emperor Ivan VI of Russia in the 18th century. The originally Franconian family from the Meuse-Moselle area was closely related to the imperial family of the Carolingians.

House of Welf (Guelf, Guelph)
Parent houseHouse of Este (agnatic)
Elder House of Welf (cognatic)
CountryGermany, Italy, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Founded8th century
FounderWelf I, Duke of Bavaria
Final rulerErnest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick
Titles
Estate(s)Brunswick & Hanover
Deposition1918 (in Germany)
Cadet branchesHouse of Hanover
The possessions of the Welfs in the days of Henry the Lion

Origins

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The (Younger) House of Welf is the older branch of the House of Este, a dynasty whose earliest known members lived in Veneto and Lombardy in the late 9th/early 10th century, sometimes called Welf-Este. The first member was Welf I, Duke of Bavaria, also known as Welf IV. He inherited the property of the Elder House of Welf when his maternal uncle Welf III, Duke of Carinthia and Verona, the last male Welf of the Elder House, died in 1055.

Welf IV was the son of Welf III's sister Kunigunde of Altdorf and her husband Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan. In 1070, Welf IV became Duke of Bavaria.

Welf II, Duke of Bavaria married Countess Matilda of Tuscany, who died childless and left him her possessions, including Tuscany, Ferrara, Modena, Mantua, and Reggio, which played a role in the Investiture Controversy. Since the Welf dynasty sided with the Pope in this controversy, partisans of the Pope came to be known in Italy as Guelphs (Guelfi).

The first genealogy of the Welfs is the Genealogia Welforum, composed shortly before 1126. A much more detailed history of the dynasty, the Historia Welforum, was composed around 1170. It is the earliest history of a noble house in Germany.

Bavaria and Saxony

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Henry IX, Duke of Bavaria, from 1120 to 1126, was the first of the three dukes of the Welf dynasty called Henry. His wife Wulfhild was the heiress of the house of Billung, possessing the territory around Lüneburg in Lower Saxony. Their son, Henry the Proud, was the son-in-law and heir of Lothair II, Holy Roman Emperor and became also Duke of Saxony on Lothair's death.

Lothair left his territory around Brunswick, inherited from his mother of the Brunonids, to his daughter Gertrud. Her husband Henry the Proud became then the favoured candidate in the imperial election against Conrad III of the Hohenstaufen. Henry lost the election, as the other princes feared his power and temperament, and was dispossessed of his duchies by Conrad III.

Henry's brother Welf VI (1115–1191), Margrave of Tuscany, later left his Swabian territories around Ravensburg, the original possessions of the Elder House of Welf, to his nephew Emperor Frederick I, and thus to the House of Hohenstaufen.

The next duke of the Welf dynasty Henry the Lion (1129/1131–1195) recovered his father's two duchies, Saxony in 1142, Bavaria in 1156 and thus ruled vast parts of Germany. In 1168 he married Matilda (1156–1189), the daughter of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and sister of Richard I of England, gaining ever more influence. His first cousin, Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, tried to get along with him, but when Henry refused to assist him once more in an Italian war campaign, conflict became inevitable.

Dispossessed of his duchies after the Battle of Legnano in 1176 by Emperor Frederick I and the other princes of the German Empire eager to claim parts of his vast territories, he was exiled to the court of his father-in-law Henry II in Normandy in 1180. He returned to Germany three years later.

Henry made his peace with the Hohenstaufen Emperor in 1185 and returned to his much diminished lands around Brunswick without recovering his two duchies. Bavaria had been given to Otto I, Duke of Bavaria, and the Duchy of Saxony was divided between the Archbishop of Cologne, the House of Ascania and others. Diminished lands did not prevent him from imprisoning Richard I on his return from the Third Crusade, and demanding a huge ransom in 1193. Henry died at Brunswick in 1195.

Brunswick and Hanover

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Henry the Lion's son, Otto of Brunswick, was elected King of the Romans and crowned Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV after years of further conflicts with the Hohenstaufen emperors. He incurred the wrath of Pope Innocent III and was excommunicated in 1215. Otto was forced to abdicate the imperial throne by the Hohenstaufen Frederick II.[2] He was the only Welf to become Holy Roman Emperor.

 
Coat-of-arms of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Henry the Lion's grandson Otto the Child became duke of a part of Saxony in 1235, the new Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and died there in 1252. The duchy was divided several times during the High Middle Ages amongst various lines of the House of Welf. The subordinate states had the legal status of principalities within the duchy, which remained as an undivided imperial fief. Each state was generally named after the ruler's residence, e.g., the rulers of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel originally lived in Wolfenbüttel.

Whenever a branch of the family died out in the male line, the territory was given to another line, as the duchy remained enfeoffed to the family as a whole rather than its individual members. All members of the House of Welf, male or female, bore the title Duke/Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg in addition to the style of the subordinate principality.[3] By 1705, the subordinate principalities had taken their final form as the Electorate of Hanover and the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and these would become the Kingdom of Hanover and the Duchy of Brunswick after the Congress of Vienna in 1815.

Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

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In 1269 the Principality of Brunswick was formed following the first division of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg. In 1432, as a result of increasing tensions with the townsfolk of Brunswick, the Brunswick Line moved their residence to Wolfenbüttel Castle, thus the name Wolfenbüttel became the unofficial name of this principality. With Ivan VI of Russia the Brunswick line even had a short intermezzo on the Russian imperial throne in 1740. Not until 1754 was the residence moved back to Brunswick, into the new Brunswick Palace. In 1814 the principality became the Duchy of Brunswick, ruled by the senior branch of the House of Welf.

Principality of Calenberg – later Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg

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Coat of Arms of the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1708)

In 1432 the estates gained by the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel between the Deister and Leine split away as the Principality of Calenberg. In 1495 it was expanded around Göttingen and in 1584 went back to the Wolfenbüttel Line. In 1634, as a result of inheritance distributions, it went to the House of Luneburg residing at Celle Castle. In 1635 it was given to George, younger brother of Prince Ernest II of Lüneburg, who chose Hanover as his residence.

New territory was added in 1665, and in 1705 the Principality of Luneburg was taken over by the Hanoverians. In 1692 Duke Ernest Augustus from the Calenberg-Hanover Line acquired the right to be a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire as the Prince-Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Colloquially the Electorate was known as the Electorate of Hanover. In 1814 it was succeeded by the Kingdom of Hanover.

British succession

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Religion-driven politics placed Ernest Augustus's wife Sophia of the Palatinate in the line of succession to the British crown by the Act of Settlement 1701, written to ensure a Protestant succession to the thrones of Scotland and England at a time when anti-Catholic sentiment ran high in much of Northern Europe and Great Britain. Sophia died shortly before her first cousin once removed, Anne, Queen of Great Britain, the last sovereign of the House of Stuart.

Sophia's son George I succeeded Queen Anne and formed a personal union from 1714 between the British crown and the Electorate of Hanover, which lasted until well after the end of the Napoleonic Wars more than a century later, through the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the rise of a new successor kingdom. The British royal family became known as the House of Hanover.

Kingdom of Hanover

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The "Electorate of Hanover" (the core duchy) was enlarged with the addition of other lands and became the Kingdom of Hanover in 1814 at the Congress of Vienna. During the first half of the nineteenth century, the Kingdom was ruled as personal union by the British crown from its creation under George III of the United Kingdom, the last elector of Hanover until the death of William IV in 1837.

At that point, the crown of Hanover went to William's younger brother, Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale under the Salic law requiring the next male heir to inherit, whereas the British throne was inherited by an elder brother's only daughter, Queen Victoria. Her offspring belong to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha: in 1917 the name was changed to the House of Windsor.

The Kingdom of Hanover was lost in 1866 by Ernest Augustus's son George V of Hanover, Austria's ally during the Austro-Prussian War, when it was annexed by Prussia after Austria's defeat and became the Prussian province of Hanover. The Welfs went into exile at Gmunden, Austria, where they built Cumberland Castle.

Brunswick succession

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Coat-of-arms of the Duchy of Brunswick

The senior line of the dynasty had ruled the much smaller principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, created the sovereign Duchy of Brunswick in 1814. This line became extinct in 1884. Although the Duchy should have been inherited by the Duke of Cumberland, son of the last king of Hanover, Prussian suspicions of his loyalty led the duchy's throne to remain vacant until 1913, when the Duke of Cumberland's son, Ernst August, married the daughter of Kaiser Wilhelm II and was allowed to inherit it. His rule there was short-lived, as the monarchy came to an end following the First World War in 1918.

The Welf dynasty continues to exist. The last member sitting on a European throne was Frederica of Hanover, Queen of Greece († 1981), mother of Queen Sofia of Spain and King Constantine II of Greece. Frederica's brother Prince George William of Hanover married Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark, sister of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The House's head is Queen Frederica's nephew Ernst August, the third and present husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco.

Rulers

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House of Welf

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Partitions under Welf rule

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County of Auxerre
(866–888)
Raised to:
Kingdom of
Upper Burgundy
(888–1032) 		County of Altdorf
(820–1191)
             
             
Annexed to the
Holy Roman
Empire 		County
Palatine
of the Rhine
(1195–1214) 		Lordship of Lüneburg
(1126–1235)
Raised to:
Duchy of
Brunswick-Lüneburg
(1235–1269)
Annexed to
House of
Wittelsbach
Principality of Brunswick
(1269–1291) 		Principality
of Lüneburg
(1st creation)
(1269–1369)
Principality of
Grubenhagen
(1291–1596)[4] 		       Principality of
Wolfenbüttel
(1st creation)
(1291–1292)
      
Principality of
Göttingen
(1291–1463) 		      
      
Principality of
Wolfenbüttel
(2nd creation)
(1344–1400) 		Lüneburg under
Ascanian rule
(1373–1388)
      
      
       Principality
of Lüneburg
(2nd creation)
(1388–1705)
Principality
of Calenberg
(1st creation)
(1432–1584) 		Principality of
Wolfenbüttel
(3rd creation)
(1409–1485)
             
      
             
Principality of
Wolfenbüttel
(4th creation)
(1494–1807)
      
             
             
      
Principality of Calenberg
(2nd creation)
(1634–1692)
Raised to
Electorate of Hanover
(1692–1866)
Annexed by
France
Duchy of Brunswick
(1813–1918)
Annexed by Prussia

Table of rulers

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Ruler Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Elder House of Welf
Welf I (a) c. 775
Son of Rothard of the Argengau 		c. 800 – 3 October 825 County of Altdorf Hedwig of Bavaria
four children 		3 October 825
aged 49-50		 Eponymous founder of the family.
Conrad I the Elder c. 800
Son of Welf I (a) and Hedwig of Bavaria 		3 October 825 – 864 County of Altdorf Adelaide of Tours
three children 		864
aged 63-64
Welf I (b)   c. 835
First son of Conrad I and Adelaide of Tours 		864 – 876 County of Altdorf Unknown
at least one child 		876
aged 40-41		 Also Count at Linzgau, Alpgau and possibly Argengau.
Conrad II the Younger c. 835
Second son of Conrad I and Adelaide of Tours 		864 – 876 County of Auxerre Waldrada of Worms
one child 		876
aged 40-41
Eticho   c. 850
Son of Welf I (b) 		876 – 911 County of Altdorf Egila
three children 		c. 911
Rudolf I 859
Son of Conrad II and Waldrada of Worms 		876 – 25 October 911 County of Auxerre
(until 888)

Kingdom of Upper Burgundy
(from 888)		 Guilla of Provence
c. 880
four children 		25 October 911
aged 51-52		 First King of Burgundy, from 888.
Henry I of the
Golden Plough[5]		   c. 880
Son of Eticho and Egila 		911 – 935 County of Altdorf Atha of Hohenwart
three children 		c. 935
aged 54-55
Rudolf II c. 880
Son of Rudolf I and Guilla of Provence 		25 October 911 – 11 July 937 Kingdom of Upper Burgundy Bertha of Swabia
922
two children 		11 July 937
aged 56-57		 Also King of Italy (922–926).
Rudolf I c. 910
Son of Henry I and Atha of Hohenwart 		935 – 950 County of Altdorf Siburgis/Richlind
at least one child 		c. 950
aged 39-40
Conrad III the Peaceful 925
Son of Rudolf II and Bertha of Swabia 		11 July 937 – 19 October 993 Kingdom of Upper Burgundy Adelaide of Bellay
one child

Matilda of France
866
four children 		19 October 993
aged 67-68
Rudolf II   c. 940
Son of Rudolf I and Siburgis/Richlind 		950 – 10 March 990 County of Altdorf Ita of Öhningen
three children 		10 March c. 990
aged 49-50
Henry II[5]   c. 960
First son of Rudolf II and Ita of Öhningen 		990 – 15 November 1000 County of Altdorf Unmarried 15 November 1000 Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Rudolf III the Pious   970
Son of Conrad III and Matilda of France 		19 October 993 – 6 September 1032 Kingdom of Upper Burgundy Agiltrude
(d.1011)
no children

Ermengarde of Burgundy
28 June 1011
no children 		6 September 1032
aged 61-62		 After his childless death, the Kingdom was inherited by his niece.
Welf II[5]   c. 960
Second son of Rudolf II and Ita of Öhningen 		15 November 1000 – 10 March 1030 County of Altdorf Imiza of Luxembourg
1017
two children 		10 March 1030
Bodman-Ludwigshafen
aged 69-70
Welf III[5]   1007
Son of Welf II and Imiza of Luxembourg 		10 March 1030 – 13 November 1055 County of Altdorf Unmarried 13 November 1055
Bodman-Ludwigshafen
aged 47-48		 Also Duke of Carinthia. By intercession of his aunt Richlind of Altdorf, he inherited the property of her late husband, Adalbert II, count of Ebersberg. Left no descendants, and his inheritance passed to his nephews, sons of his sister Kunigunde.
The Altdorf property, which had been donated by Welf III to the Weingarten Abbey, was transferred, by widow Imiza of Luxembourg, then its Abbess and also mother of the late count, to Welf IV, son of her daughter Kunigunda.[6]
Gisela   11 November 990
Daughter of Herman II, Duke of Swabia and Gerberga of Burgundy 		6 September 1032 – 15 February 1043 Kingdom of Upper Burgundy
(Conradine dynasty)		 Brun I, Count of Brunswick
1002
three children

Ernest I, Duke of Swabia
1012
two children

Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor
1016
three children 		15 February 1043
Goslar
aged 52		 Gisela was heiress of her maternal uncle, which lead to the annexation of the kingdom to the Holy Roman Empire.
Upper Burgundy annexed to the Holy Roman Empire
Younger House of Welf
Welf IV[5]   c. 1035
Solesino (?)
Son of Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan and Kunigunde of Altdorf 		13 November 1055 – 6 November 1101 County of Altdorf Ethelinde of Northeim
1062
no children

Judith of Flanders
1071
three children 		6 November 1101
Paphos
aged 65-66		 Son of Kunigunde of Altdorf and Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan, inherited his maternal family's possessions. Also Duke of Bavaria (1070–1077 and 1096–1101).
Welf V the Fat[5]   1072
First son of Welf IV and Judith of Flanders 		6 November 1101 – 4 September 1120 County of Altdorf Matilda of Tuscany
1088/89
no children 		24 September 1120
aged 47-48		 Left no children, and the county went to his brother. Also Duke of Bavaria.
Henry III the Black[5]   1075
Second son of Welf IV and Judith of Flanders 		4 September 1120 – 13 December 1126 County of Altdorf Wulfhilde of Saxony
1095
eight children 		13 December 1126
Ravensburg
aged 50-51		 Inherited by marriage possessions in the Luneburg, to the north.
Henry IV the Proud[5]   1108
Second son of Henry (III) and Wulfhilde of Saxony 		13 December 1126 – 20 October 1139 Lordship of Lüneburg Gertrude of Süpplingenburg
1202
one child 		20 October 1139
Quedlinburg
aged 30-31 		Children of Henry the Black, Welf VI and Henry the Proud divided their inheritance: Welf VI kept the original possessions to the south, and Henry the northern ones, besides inheriting his father's title of Duke of Bavaria (1136–38), and conquering also the title of Duke of Saxony (1137–1139) inherited from their mother. Welf VI would also go on to become Margrave of Tuscany and Duke of Spoleto (1152–1160 and 1167–1173).

In 1129, after Henry the Proud's defeat against Lothair III, Holy Roman Emperor, his sister Sophia was given a seat at Regensburg.[7] From c. 1150 until his death in 1167, Welf VI's son, Welf VII, was associated to his father, but predeceased him. After Welf VI's death, Altdorf was annexed to the Holy Roman Empire.

Welf VI the Mild[5]   1115
Third son of Henry (III) and Wulfhilde of Saxony 		13 December 1126 – 15 December 1191 County of Altdorf Uta of Schauenburg
c. 1130
two children 		15 December 1191
Memmingen
aged 75-76
Welf VII[5]   1135
Son of Welf VI and Uta of Schauenburg 		c. 1150 – 12 September 1167 Unmarried 12 September 1167
Siena
aged 31-32
Sophia   1105
Daughter of Henry (III) and Wulfhilde of Saxony 		1129 – 10 July 1145 County of Altdorf
(at Regensburg)		 Berthold III, Duke of Zähringen
c. 1120
no children

Leopold, Margrave of Styria
c. 1122
four children 		10 July 1145
aged 39-40
Regency of Gertrude of Süpplingenburg (1139–1142) Inherited Brunswick from his mother after her death in 1143. Also Duke of Saxony (1142–1180) and Duke of Bavaria (1156–1180). When Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, became king of Germany, he restored Bavaria to the Welf line.
Henry V the Lion[5]   1129
Ravensburg
Son of Henry (I) and Gertrude of Süpplingenburg 		20 October 1139 – 6 August 1195 Lordship of Lüneburg Clementia of Zähringen
1147
three children

Matilda of England
1168
five children 		6 August 1195
Braunschweig
aged 65-66
Henry (V) the Elder[8]   1173
First son of Henry (II) and Matilda of England 		6 August 1195 – 1212 County Palatine of the Rhine
(also at Stade and Altencelle, in Lüneburg)		 Agnes of Hohenstaufen
1193
three children

Agnes of Landsberg
1209
no children 		28 April 1227
Braunschweig
aged 53-54 		Inherited the land jointly until 1213, when after William's death, they resigned this possessions in favor that William's son, the inheritor of the Luneburg property. Henry was Count Palatine of the Rhine (1195–1213), and Otto was Holy Roman Emperor (1212–1218). Henry also inherited, after William's death, extensive properties near the Elbe and the Weser.
Otto   1175
Third son of Henry (II) and Matilda of England 		6 August 1195 – 19 May 1218 Lordship of Lüneburg
(at Haldensleben)		 Beatrice of Swabia
1212
no children

Maria of Brabant
19 May 1214
Maastricht
no children 		19 May 1218
Harzburg
aged 42-43
William Longsword   11 April 1184
Winchester
Fourth son of Henry (II) and Matilda of England 		6 August 1195 – 12 December 1213 Lordship of Lüneburg Helena of Denmark
1202
Hamburg
one child 		12 December 1213
Lüneburg
aged 29
Haldensleben re-merged in Lüneburg
Henry (VI) the Younger[9] 1196
Son of Henry (III) and Agnes of Hohenstaufen 		1212 – 26 April 1214 County Palatine of the Rhine Unmarried 26 April 1214
aged 17-18		 After his death the Palatinate was inherited by his sister.
Regency of Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor (1213–1218) He was raised to Duke and recognised as such in 1235, by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Otto I the Child[10]
 
 1204
Son of William and Helena of Denmark 		12 December 1213 – 9 June 1252 Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg Matilda of Brandenburg
1228
ten children 		9 June 1252
Lüneburg
aged 47-48
Agnes   1201
Daughter of Henry (III) and Agnes of Hohenstaufen 		26 April 1214 – 1267 County Palatine of the Rhine Otto IV, Duke of Bavaria
1222
Worms
five children 		1267
aged 65-66		 Her marriage with Otto, Duke of Bavaria determined the annexation of the county to the patrimony of the House of Wittelsbach.
County Palatine of the Rhine was inherited by the House of Wittelsbach
Albert I the Tall   1236
First son of Otto I and Matilda of Brandenburg 		9 June 1252 – 15 August 1279 Principality of Brunswick
(until 1269 co-ruling in Brunswick-Lüneburg)		 Elisabeth of Brabant
1254
no children

Alexia of Montferrat
1263
seven children 		15 August 1279
Braunschweig
aged 42-43 		Children of Otto I, they shared rule of the land until 1269. Albert became Prince of Brunswick and John a Prince of Luneburg.
John 1242
Second son of Otto I and Matilda of Brandenburg 		9 June 1252 – 13 December 1277 Principality of Lüneburg
(until 1269 co-ruling in Brunswick-Lüneburg)		 Liutgard of Holstein-Itzehoe
1265
five children 		13 December 1277
Braunschweig
aged 34-35
All Welf lines continued to bear the title "Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg" between the division of 1269 and the end of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. This was an additional title to the representation of their actual territorial lordship. However, as this is a list of rulers, the list goes beyond the use of the title, going through all generations until the end of the noble family representation in the land, in 1918.
Regency of Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1277–1279)
Regency of Conrad of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Prince-Bishop of Verden (1277–1282) 		His rule was marked by several feuds, financed by pledges (Verpfändungen), involving border and property disputes with his neighbours. Otto restricted the rights of the knights and safeguarded public order.
Otto II the Strict
 
 1266
Son of John and Liutgard of Holstein-Itzehoe 		13 December 1277 – 10 April 1330 Principality of Lüneburg Matilda of Bavaria
1288
five children 		10 April 1330
aged 63-64
Henry I the Admirable August 1267
First son of Albert I and Alexia of Montferrat 		15 August 1279 – 7 September 1322 Principality of Grubenhagen
(until 1291 co-ruling at Brunswick)		 Agnes of Meissen
1282
sixteen children 		7 September 1322
Einbeck
aged 55 		Children of Albert I, ruled jointly. In 1291 divided the land: Henry received Grubenhagen, William Wolfenbüttel and Albert Göttingen. William died without descendants, and Albert reunited his land with his brother's. Wolfenbüttel became part of Göttingen.
Albert II the Fat 1268
Second son of Albert I and Alexia of Montferrat 		15 August 1279 – 22 September 1318 Principality of Göttingen
(until 1291 co-ruling at Brunswick)		 Rixa of Werle
1284
ten children 		22 September 1318
aged 49-50
William I 1270
Third son of Albert I and Alexia of Montferrat 		15 August 1279 – 30 September 1292 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
(until 1291 co-ruling at Brunswick)		 Elisabeth of Hesse
190
no children 		30 September 1292
Braunschweig
aged 21-22
Wolfenbüttel briefly annexed to Göttingen
Otto (I) the Mild   24 June 1292
First son of Albert II and Rixa of Werle 		22 September 1318 – 30 August 1344 Principality of Göttingen Judith of Hesse
1311
no children

Agnes of Brandenburg-Salzwedel
1319
no children 		30 August 1344
Göttingen
aged 52		 By marriage inherited the Altmark region, which he sold c.1340. Left no descendants. His inheritance went to his brothers.
Henry II of Greece c.1295
First son of Henry I and Agnes of Meissen 		7 September 1322 – 1351 Principality of Grubenhagen Jutta of Brandenburg-Stendal
1318
four children

Helvis of Ibelin
1324
six children 		c.1355
Grubenhagen
aged 59-60 		Sons of Henry I, ruled jointly.
John I c.1295
Second son of Henry I and Agnes of Meissen 		7 September 1322 – 1325 Unmarried c.1370
Einbeck
aged 59-60
Ernest I 1297
Third son of Henry I and Agnes of Meissen 		7 September 1322 – 9 March 1361 Adelheid of Everstein-Polle
June 1335
nine children 		9 March 1361
aged 63-64
William 1298
Fourth son of Henry I and Agnes of Meissen 		7 September 1322 – 1360 Unmarried 1360
aged 61-62
Otto III 1296
Second son of Otto II and Matilda of Bavaria 		10 April 1330 – 19 August 1352 Principality of Lüneburg Matilda of Mecklenburg
1311
three children 		19 August 1352
aged 55-56 		Sons of Otto II, ruled jointly. After Otto's death in 1352, William ruled alone. His death without descendants precipitated the Lüneburg War of Succession in 1370.
William II the Elder   c. 1300
Fourth son of Otto II and Matilda of Bavaria 		10 April 1330 – 23 November 1369 Hedwig of Ravensberg
7 April 1328
one child

Maria
After 1387
one child

Sophia of Anhalt-Bernburg
12 March 1346
no children

Agnes of Saxe-Lauenburg
1363
no children 		23 November 1369
Lüneburg
aged 68-69
Magnus I the Pious 1304
Seventh son of Albert II and Rixa of Werle 		30 August 1344 – 1369 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Sophia of Brandenburg-Stendal
1327
eight children 		1369
aged 64-65 		Younger brothers of Otto, divided the inheritance.
Ernest I 1305
Eighth son of Albert II and Rixa of Werle 		30 August 1344 – 24 April 1367 Principality of Göttingen Elisabeth of Hesse
1337
three children 		24 April 1367
aged 61-62
Albert I c. 1339
First son of Ernest I and Adelaide of Eberstein-Polle 		9 March 1361 – 1383 Principality of Grubenhagen Agnes of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1371
one child 		1383
aged 43-44 		Children of Ernest I, divided their inheritance. John II abdicated 1364 to join the clergy and Albert became sole ruler.
John II c. 1339
Second son of Ernest I and Adelaide of Eberstein-Polle 		9 March 1361 – 1364 Unmarried 18 January 1401
aged 61-62
Frederick I 1350
Third son of Ernest I and Adelaide of Eberstein-Polle 		9 March 1361 – 4 May 1421 Principality of Grubenhagen
(at Osterode)		 Adelaide of Anhalt-Bernburg
one child 		4 May 1421
aged 70-71
Otto (II) the Evil   1330
Son of Ernest I and Elisabeth of Hesse 		24 April 1367 – 13 November 1394 Principality of Göttingen Mirolawa of Holstein-Plön
(d.1376)
19 November 1357
no children

Margarethe of Jülich-Berg
1379
two children 		13 November 1394
Hardegsen
aged 63-64
Magnus II of the Necklace (Torquatus)   1328
Son of Magnus I and Sophia of Brandenburg-Stendal 		1369 – 25 July 1373 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
(with Principality of Lüneburg)		 Katherine of Anhalt-Bernburg
1327
eight children 		25 July 1373
Leveste
aged 44-45		 Inherited Wolfenbüttel from his father. However, the Lüneburg War of Succession allowed his succession also in this duchy. However, the War of Succession brought, after his death, the dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg to the government.
After the death of Magnus II with the Necklace, a treaty (the Reconciliation of Hanover) was agreed between the widow of Magnus II and her sons and the claimers, Albert of Saxe-Wittenberg and his uncle Duke Wenceslaus I of Saxe-Wittenberg: the estates of the Principality were to pay homage both to the Welfs and to the Ascanians, and the two noble houses would govern the state alternately. Initially, the land would be given to the two Ascanians from Wittenberg, and after their death it would go to the sons of the fallen Duke Magnus II.

After their death, rule of the Principality was to revert to the Ascanians. In order to underpin the agreement, in 1374 Albert of Saxe-Lüneburg married Catharina, the widow of Magnus II. The treaty also envisaged the creation of a statutory body representing the estates, which was to supervise the treaty. However, 1373–1388 would be the only period in which a Brunswick-Luneburg land was not ruled by a Welf:

In the wake of his death, Elector Wenceslas appointed Bernard, his brother-in-law, as co-regent involved him in the government. But his younger brother Henry did not agree with this ruling, and after vain attempts to reach an agreement, the fight flared up again in the spring of 1388. Elector Wenceslas had to assemble an army without the help of Bernard, supported by the town of Lüneburg. From Winsen an der Aller, he wanted to attack Celle, which was held by Henry and his mother. During the preparations Elector Wenceslas fell seriously ill and died shortly thereafter. According to legend, he was poisoned.

Lüneburg continued the preparations, formed an alliance with the Bishop of Minden and Count of Schaumburg and set up his own army. On 28 May 1388, battle was joined at Winsen an der Aller; it ended in victory for Henry. According to the provisions of the Treaty of Hanover from the year 1373, after the death of Wensceslas, the Principality passed to the House of Welf. In 1389, an inheritance agreement between the Welfs and the Ascanians was concluded, the treaty of 1374 was abolished, and the Principality was secured for the Welfs.

Frederick I 1357
First son of Magnus II nad Catherine of Anhalt-Bernburg 		25 July 1373 – 5 June 1400 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Anna of Saxe-Wittenberg
1386
two children 		5 June 1400
Kleinenglis
aged 42-43 		Children of Magnus II. As the eldest, Frederick inherited Wolfenbuttel alone, while his younger brothers held Luneburg sinceits recovery in 1388. After Frederick I's childless death in 1400, the remaining brothers exchanged feuds until 1428.
Henry (I) the Mild   1355
Second son of Magnus II nad Catherine of Anhalt-Bernburg 		15 May 1388 – 14 October 1416 Principality of Lüneburg Sophia of Pomerania
11 November 1388
two children

Margaret of Hesse
30 January 1409
Kassel
one child 		14 October 1416
aged 60-61
5 June 1400 – 1409 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
Bernard I   1358
Third son of Magnus II nad Catherine of Anhalt-Bernburg 		15 May 1388 – 1409

1428 – 11 June 1434		 Principality of Lüneburg Margaret of Saxe-Wittenberg
1386
three children
 11 June 1434
Celle
aged 75-76
1409 – 1428 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
Regency of Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Osterode (1383–1401)
Eric I the Winner c. 1380
Son of Albert I and Agnes of Brunswick-Lüneburg 		1383 – 28 May 1427 Principality of Grubenhagen Elisabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen
six children 		28 May 1427
aged 46-47
Otto (III) the One-Eyed 1380
Son of Otto (II) and Margarethe of Jülich-Berg 		13 November 1394 – 6 February 1463 Principality of Göttingen Agnes of Hesse
1408
one child 		6 February 1463
Uslar
aged 82-83		 With no male heirs, after his death Göttingen is absorbed by Calenberg.
Göttingen annexed to Calenberg
William (III & I) the Victorious   1392
Son of Henry (I) and Sophia of Pomerania 		14 October 1416 – 1428 Principality of Lüneburg Cecilia of Brandenburg
30 May/6 June 1423
Berlin
two children

Matilda of Holstein-Pinneberg
1466
one child 		25 July 1482
aged 89-90 		Sons of Henry the Mild, ruled jointly. In 1428 they exchanged, with their uncle Bernard I, Lüneburg for Wolfenbüttel. In 1432 founded the Principality of Calenberg, a split-off from Lüneburg, and left the remaining Wolfenbüttel to his brother Henry IV. After the latter's death William took his lands. In 1463, attached the Principality of Göttingen to Calenberg. In 1473, William also annexed Wolfenbüttel.
1428 – 1432 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
1432 – 25 July 1482 Principality of Calenberg
(with Principalities of Göttingen from 1463
and Wolfenbüttel from 1473)
Henry (II) the Peaceful 1411
Son of Henry (I) and Margaret of Hesse 		14 October 1416 – 1428 Principality of Lüneburg Helena of Clèves
1436
one child 		7 December 1473
aged 61-62
1428 – 7 December 1473 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
Wolfenbüttel briefly annexed to Calenberg
Otto II 1396
Son of Frederick I and Adelaide of Anhalt-Bernburg 		4 May 1421 – 1452 Principality of Grubenhagen
(at Osterode)		 Schonetta of Nassau-Weilburg
(d.1436)
1414
one child 		1452 After his death, Osterode returned to Grubenhagen.
Osterode re-merged in Grubenhagen
Regency of Otto II, Duke of Brunswick-Osterode (1427–1440) Sons of Eric I, were under regency until 1440, when they divided Grubenhagen. Henry kept Heldenburg Castle, and Albert Herzberg Castle, but kept the joint rule at Osterode am Harz and Einbeck. Ernest didn't participate in the division, and abdicated in 1464, to become a canon in Halberstadt.
Henry III 1416
Grubenhagen
First son of Eric I and Elisabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen 		28 May 1427 – 20 December 1464 Principality of Grubenhagen
(at Heldenburg from 1440)		 Margaret of Żagań
before 27 June 1457
two children 		20 December 1464
aged 47-48
Ernest II 1418
Second son of Eric I and Elisabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen 		28 May 1427 – 1466 Principality of Grubenhagen Unmarried 1466
aged 47-48
Albert II 1 November 1419
Third son of Eric I and Elisabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen 		28 May 1427 – 15 August 1485 Principality of Grubenhagen
(at Herzberg)		 Elisabeth of Waldeck
15 October 1471
two children 		15 August 1485
aged 65
Otto IV the Lame   c.1400
First son of Bernard I and Margaret of Saxe-Wittenberg 		11 June 1434 – 1 June 1446 Principality of Lüneburg Elisabeth of Eberstein
1425
one child
 1 June 1446
aged 45-46 		Ruled jointly. Their rule was marked by major building work to Celle Castle and also by numerous reforms which improved the legal situation of farmers vis-a-vis their local lords. Frederick abdicated to his sons and went to a monastery, but after the death of his son Otto, he left the monastery and resumed his rule.
Frederick II the Pious   1418
Second son of Bernard I and Margaret of Saxe-Wittenberg 		11 June 1434 – 1457

9 January 1471 – 19 March 1478		 Magdalene of Brandenburg
3 July 1429
Tangermünde
three children 		19 March 1478
Celle
aged 59-60
Bernard II   1437
First son of Frederick II and Magdalene of Brandenburg 		1457 – 9 February 1464 Principality of Lüneburg Matilda of Holstein-Pinneberg
1463
no children 		9 February 1464
Celle
aged 26-27 		Children of Frederick II, ruled jointly. Bernard was also Prince-Bishop of Hildesheim.
Otto V the Magnanimous   1439
First son of Frederick II and Magdalene of Brandenburg 		1457 – 9 January 1471 Anne of Nassau-Siegen
25 September 1467
Celle
two children 		9 January 1471
Celle
aged 31-32
Regency of Albert II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen (1464–1479) With his uncle Albert, officialized the division of Grubenhagen. However, his death without descendants allowed his cousins (sons of Albert) to reunite Grubenhagen.
Henry IV 1460
Son of Henry III and Margaret of Żagań 		20 December 1464 – 6 December 1526 Principality of Grubenhagen
(at Heldenburg)		 Elisabeth of Saxe-Lauenburg
26 August 1494
Einbeck
no children 		6 December 1526
Einbeck
aged 65-66
Regency of Anne of Nassau-Siegen (1478–1486) Son of Otto V. As he opposed to the newly elected Emperor Charles V, the latter deposed him from the duchy and gave it to his sons.
Henry (III) the Middle   15 September 1468
Lüneburg
Son of Otto V and Anne of Nassau-Siegen 		19 March 1478 – 1520 Principality of Lüneburg Margaret of Saxony
27 February 1487
Celle
seven children

Anna von Campe
c. 1528?
(morganatic)
no children 		19 February 1532
Wienhausen
aged 63
Frederick III the Turbulent 1424
First son of [[William the Victorious, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg|William (III & I) and Cecilia of Brandenburg 		25 July 1482 – 1485 Principality of Calenberg
(at Calenberg proper)		 Anna of Brunswick-Grubenhagen-Einbeck
After 1460
no children

Margaret of Rietberg
10 May 1483
no children 		5 March 1495
[[Hann. Münden]
aged 70-71] 		Children of William III/I, divided their inheritance. Wiliam IV/II imprisoned by his brother Frederick, and took his place in Calenberg, reuniting the inheritance once again. William eventually abdicated of all his property to his sons.
William (IV & II) the Younger   1425
Second son of [[William the Victorious, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg|William (III & I) and Cecilia of Brandenburg 		25 July 1482 – 1495 Principality of Calenberg
(at Wolfenbüttel until 1485; at Principality of Göttingen only since 1491)		 Elizabeth of Stolberg-Wernigerode
1444
three children 		7 July 1503
Hardegsen
aged 77-78
Regency of Henry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen and Elisabeth of Waldeck (1485-1490) In 1526 reunited Grubenhagen under his hands.
Philip I   1476
Son of Albert II and Elisabeth of Waldeck 		15 August 1485 – 4 September 1551 Grubenhagen
(at Herzberg; from 1526 in all Grubenhagen)		 Unknown
before 1509
one child

Catherine of Mansfeld-Vorderort
c. 1510?
nine children 		4 September 1551
Herzberg am Harz
aged 74-75
Henry (IV) the Elder 14 June 1463
First son of William (IV & II) and Elisabeth of Stolberg-Wernigerode 		1495 – 23 June 1514 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Catherine of Pomerania-Wolgast
1486
nine children 		23 June 1514
Leer
aged 51 		Children of William IV/II, initially ruled jointly, but in 1494, they officially divided their inheritance.
Eric I the Elder  
 16 February 1470
Neustadt am Rübenberge
Second son of William (IV & II) and Elisabeth of Stolberg-Wernigerode 		1495 – 30 July 1540 Principality of Calenberg Katharina of Saxony
1496/97
no children

Elisabeth of Brandenburg
7 July 1525
Stettin
four children 		30 July 1540<
Haguenau
aged 70
Henry (V) the Younger   10 November 1489
Wolfenbüttel
Son of Henry (IV) and Catherine of Pomerania-Wolgast 		23 June 1514 – 11 June 1568 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Maria of Württemberg
1515
eight children

Sophia of Poland
22/25 February 1556
no children 		11 June 1568
Wolfenbüttel
aged 78		 He was the last Catholic of his family. Under him the medieval fortress (Burg) was rebuilt into a castle (Schloss); he was a passionate opponent of the Lutherans, and driving force behind the Catholic alliance established against the Schmalkaldic League; the disinheritance of a third son could not be carried out.
Otto (VI & I)   24 August 1495
Celle
First son of Henry (III) and Margaret of Saxony 		1520 – 11 August 1549 Principality of Lüneburg
(at Harburg from 1527)		 Meta von Campe
1527

(morganatic)no children 		11 August 1549
Harburg
aged 53 		Sons of Henry VII, ruled jointly. Otto abdicated in 1527 and founded his own estate, the Lordship of Harburg, which passed to his own descendants. Ernest was a champion of the Protestant cause during the early years of the Protestant Reformation. Francis started his co-rulership in 1536, and abdicated three years later to rule in his own estate, the Principality of Gifhorn, which was reannexed to Lüneburg after his death as he left no descendants.
Ernest I the Confessor   27 June 1497
Uelzen
Second son of Henry (III) and Margaret of Saxony 		1520 – 11 January 1546 Principality of Lüneburg Sophia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
2 June 1528
Schwerin
seven children 		11 January 1546
Celle
aged 48
Francis   23 November 1508
Uelzen
Third son of Henry (III) and Margaret of Saxony 		1520 – 23 November 1549 Principality of Lüneburg
(at Duchy of Gifhorn from 1539)		 Clara of Saxe-Lauenburg
29 September 1547
Amt Neuhaus
seven children 		23 November 1549
Gifhorn
aged 41
Gifhorn re-merged in Lüneburg
Regencies of Elisabeth of Brandenburg and Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse (1540–1545) During his regency, his mother implemented the Reformation in Calenberg. She also wrote a "government manual" for Eric, with important advice that should serve him as a guide. Left no descendants, and Calenberg was annexed to Wolfenbüttel.
Eric II the Younger   10 August 1528
Dassel
Son of Eric I and Elisabeth of Brandenburg 		30 July 1540 – 17 November 1584 Principality of Calenberg Sidonie of Saxony
17 May 1545
Hann. Münden
no children

Dorothea of Lorraine
26 November 1575
Nancy
no children 		17 November 1584
Pavia
aged 56
Calenberg annexed to Wolfenbüttel
Council of Regency (1546–1555) Left no descendants. The land passed to his brothers.
Francis Otto   20 June 1530
Celle
First son of Ernest I and Sophia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 		11 January 1546 – 29 April 1559 Principality of Lüneburg Elisabeth Magdalene of Brandenburg
5 February 1559
no children 		29 April 1559
Celle
aged 28
Otto II the Famous 25 September 1528
Celle
Son of Otto (VI & I) and Meta von Campe 		11 August 1549 – 26 October 1603 Principality of Lüneburg
(at Harburg)		 Margaret of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg
8 September 1551
four children

Hedwig of East Frisia
8 October 1562
twelve children 		26 October 1603
Harburg
aged 75
Ernest III   17 December 1518
Osterode am Harz
First son of Philip I and Catherine of Mansfeld-Vorderort 		4 September 1551 – 2 April 1567 Grubenhagen Margaret of Pomerania-Wolgast
9 October 1547
Wolgast
one child 		2 April 1567
Herzberg am Harz
aged 48		 Left no male descendants. The land passed to his brother Wolfgang.
Henry (VI) 4 June 1533
Lüchow-Dannenberg
Third son of Ernest I and Sophia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 		29 April 1559 – 19 January 1598 Principality of Lüneburg
(from 1569 in Dannenberg)		 Ursula of Saxe-Lauenburg
1569
seven children 		19 January 1598
Dannenberg
aged 64 		Brothers of Francis Otto, initially ruled jointly. In 1569, Henry founded the duchy of Dannenberg, which left to his own descendants. William ruled alone from 1569.
William V the Young   4 July 1535
Fourth son of Ernest I and Sophia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin 		29 April 1559 – 20 August 1592 Principality of Lüneburg Dorothea of Denmark
12 October 1561
fifteen children 		20 August 1592
aged 57
Wolfgang 6 April 1531
Herzberg am Harz
Fifth son of Philip I and Catherine of Mansfeld-Vorderort 		2 April 1567 – 14 May 1595 Principality of Grubenhagen Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg
10 December 1570
Osterode am Harz
no children 		14 May 1595
Herzberg am Harz
aged 64		 Like most of his predecessors, he had financial problems, so he was often forced to sell or pledge major parts of his possession and he had to demand high taxes. As he left no male descendants, the land passed to his brother Philip.
Julius   29 June 1528
Wolfenbüttel
Son of Henry (V) and Maria of Württemberg 		11 June 1568 – 3 May 1589 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Hedwig of Brandenburg
25 February 1560
Cölln
eleven children 		3 May 1589
Wolfenbüttel
aged 		In 1584 Julius absorbed the Principality of Calenberg. By embracing the Protestant Reformation, establishing the University of Helmstedt, and introducing a series of administrative reforms, Julius was one of the most important Brunswick dukes in the early modern era.
Ernest II   31 December 1564
CelleFirst son of William V and Dorothea of Denmark 		20 August 1592 – 2 March 1611 Principality of Lüneburg Unmarried 2 March 1611
Celle
aged 46		 Left no descendants. The land passed to his brother, Christian.
Henry Julius   15 October 1564
Hessen
Son of Julius and Hedwig of Brandenburg 		3 May 1589 – 30 July 1613 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Dorothea of Saxony
26 September 1585
Wolfenbüttel
one child

Elizabeth of Denmark
19 April 1590
Cölln
ten children 		30 July 1613
Prague
aged 48		 In 1596 occupied Grubenhagen.
Philip II 2 May 1533
Sixth son of Philip I and Catherine of Mansfeld-Vorderort 		14 May 1595 – 4 April 1596 Principality of Grubenhagen Clara of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
1 July 1560
Wolfenbüttel
no children 		4 April 1596
aged 62		 As he left no male descendants, the land had no heir and was occupied by the Principality of Wolfenbüttel.
Grubenhagen annexed to Wolfenbüttel, and then definitely to Lüneburg
Julius Ernest 11 March 1571
Lüchow-Dannenberg
Son of Henry (VI) and Ursula of Saxe-Lauenburg 		19 January 1598 – 26 October 1636 Principality of Lüneburg
(at Dannenberg)		 Maria of East Frisia
1 September 1614
two children

Sybille of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1616
two children 		26 October 1636
aged 65		 Left no descendants. The short-lived Dannenberg principality reverted to Lüneburg.
Dannenberg annexed to Lüneburg
William Augustus   15 March 1564
Harburg
First son of Otto II and Hedwig of East Frisia 		26 October 1603 – 30 March 1642 Principality of Lüneburg
(in Harburg)		 Unmarried 30 March 1642
Harburg
aged 78 		Sons of Otto II, ruled together in Harburg. After William Augustus' death, the lordship reunited with Lüneburg.
Christopher 21 August 1570
Harburg
Fourth son of Otto II and Hedwig of East Frisia 		26 October 1603 – 7 July 1606 Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
28 October 1604
Harburg
no children 		7 July 1606
Harburg
aged 35
Otto III   20 March 1572
Harburg
Fifth son of Otto II and Hedwig of East Frisia 		26 October 1603 – 4 August 1641 Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
14 April 1621
Wolfenbüttel
no children 		4 August 1641
Harburg
aged 69
Harburg re-merged in Lüneburg
Christian the Elder   9 November 1566
Celle
Second son of William V and Dorothea of Denmark 		2 March 1611 – 8 November 1633 Principality of Lüneburg
(with Grubenhagen from 1617)		 Unmarried 8 November 1633
Celle
aged 66		 Absorbed Grubenhagen from Wolfenbüttel. As he left no descendants, the land passed to his brother, Augustus. Grubenhagen is definitively annexed to Lüneburg.
Regency of Elizabeth of Denmark (1616–1622) Children of Henry Julius. Frederick Ulirch inheriteed the major duchy, and Sophie Hedwig a seat at Spiegelberg. Because of his alcoholism, Frederick Ulrich was deposed by his own mother, with the help of her brother, Christian IV of Denmark. She took the regency in his name. During her regency, Elizabeth lost in 1617 the Principality of Grubenhagen and left the government business for Anton von Streithorst, who nearly ruined the state by minting coins from cheap metals and thus causing inflation. Because of the bad situation of the state, the king of Denmark had Frederick take control of the government again. Frederick didn't leave descendants, and his lands passed to collateral lines of the Lüneburg Welfs.
Frederick Ulrich   5 April 1591
Wolfenbüttel
Son of Henry Julius and Elizabeth of Denmark 		1613 – 11 August 1634 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Anna Sophia of Brandenburg
4 September 1614
Wolfenbüttel
no children 		11 August 1634
Braunschweig
aged 43
Sophia Hedwig   13 June 1592
Wolfenbüttel
Daughter of Henry Julius and Elizabeth of Denmark 		1613 – 13 January 1642 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
(at Spiegelberg)		 Ernest Casimir I, Count of Nassau-Dietz
8 June 1607
Dillenburg
two children 		13 January 1642
Arnhem
aged 49
Augustus the Elder   18 November 1568
Celle
Third son of William V and Dorothea of Denmark 		8 November 1633 – 1 October 1636 Principality of Lüneburg Unmarried 1 October 1636
Celle
aged 67		 No legitimate issue. The land passed to his brother, Frederick IV.
Augustus the Younger   10 April 1579
Dannenberg 		11 August 1634 – 17 September 1666 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Clara Maria of Pomerania-Barth
13 December 1607
Strelitz
two children

Dorothea of Anhalt-Zerbst
26 October 1623
Zerbst
five children

Elisabeth Sophie of Mecklenburg
1635
two children 		17 September 1666
Wolfenbüttel
aged 87		 Younger son of Henry (VI). Inherited Wolfenbüttel from his cousin Frederick Ulrich, who had left no descendants. In 1643 he moved into the Residence at Wolfenbüttel, was the founder of a barock theatre and the Bibliotheca Augusta.
George   17 February 1582
Celle
Sixth son of William V and Dorothea of Denmark 		11 August 1634 – 2 April 1641 Principality of Calenberg Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt
14 December 1617
Darmstadt
eight children 		2 April 1641
Hildesheim
aged 59		 Inherited Calenberg from his cousin Frederick Ulrich, who had left no descendants. Abdicated to his son in 1641.
Frederick IV   28 August 1574
Celle
Fourth son of William V and Dorothea of Denmark 		1 October 1636 – 10 December 1648 Principality of Lüneburg Unmarried 10 December 1648
Celle
aged 74		 As he left no descendants, the land passed to a nephew, Christian Louis, son of Frederick's brother George.
Christian Louis   25 February 1622
Herzberg Castle
First son of George and Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt 		1641 – 10 December 1648 Principality of Calenberg Sophia Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg
9 October 1653
no children 		15 March 1665
Celle
aged 43 		In 1648 inherited the Principality of Lüneburg from his uncle Frederick IV, he gave Calenberg to his younger brother George William, and instead ruled the larger territory of Lüneburg.
10 December 1648 – 15 March 1665 Principality of Lüneburg
George William   26 January 1624
Herzberg Castle
Second son of George and Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt 		10 December 1648 – 15 March 1665 Principality of Calenberg Éléonore Desmier d'Olbreuse
1676
one child 		28 August 1705
Wienhausen
aged 81 		When his brother, Christian Louis died childless in 1665, George William inherited Luneburg. He then gave Calenberg to his next brother, John Frederick. At his death without male descendants, the land passed to his son-in-law, the Elector of Hanover. Lüneburg is annexed to Hanover.
15 March 1665 – 28 August 1705 Principality of Lüneburg
Lüneburg definitely annexed to Hanôver
Rudolf Augustus   16 May 1627
Hitzacker
Second son of Augustus and Dorothea of Anhalt-Zerbst 		17 September 1666 – 26 January 1704 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Christiane Elizabeth of Barby-Mühlingen
1650
three children

Rosine Elisabeth Menthe
1681
(morganatic)
no children 		26 January 1704
Kissenbrück
aged 76 		Sons of Augustus the Younger, the eldest two ruled jointly from 1685 to 1702. The youngest, Ferdinand Albert, ruled from the town of Bevern. According to reports dating to 1677, Rudolf Augustus slashed a way through the Lechlum Forest, the Alten Weg ("Old Way"), later the "Barock Road" between the Lustschloss of Antoinettenruh via the little barock castle [later the Sternhaus] to the Großes Weghaus at Stöckheim; in 1671 captured the town and fortress of Brunswick. After the death of Rudolf Augustus, Anthony Ulrich returned to the throne and ruled alone. A politician, art lover and poet, he founded a museum named after him in Brunswick; he had also Salzdahlum Castle built.
Anthony Ulrich   4 October 1633
Third son of Augustus and Dorothea of Anhalt-Zerbst 		18 April 1685 – 27 March 1714 Elizabeth Juliana of Schleswig-Holstein-Sønderburg-Nordborg
17 August 1656
thirteen children 		27 March 1714
Salzdahlum
aged 80
Ferdinand Albert I   22 May 1636
Braunschweig
Son of Augustus and Elisabeth Sophie of Mecklenburg 		17 September 1666 – 23 April 1687 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
(at Bevern)		 Christine of Hesse-Eschwege
25 November 1667
Eschwege
six children 		23 April 1687
Bevern
aged 50
John Frederick   25 April 1625
Herzberg Castle
Third son of George and Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt 		1665 – 18 December 1679 Principality of Calenberg Benedicta Henrietta of the Palatinate
30 November 1668
Hanover
three children 		18 December 1679
Augsburg
aged 54		 As he left no male heirs, the land passed to his younger brother, Ernest Augustus.
Ernest Augustus I   20 November 1629
Herzberg Castle
Fourth son of George and Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt 		18 December 1679 – 23 January 1698 Principality of Calenberg
(until 1692)

Electorate of Hanover
(from 1692)		 Sophia of the Palatinate
30 September 1658
Heidelberg
seven children 		23 January 1698
Herrenhausen Palace
aged 68 		In 1692, he was appointed Prince-elector by Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, thus raising the House of Welf to electoral dignity. The old Principality of Calenberg thus adopted the new name of Electorate of Hanover.
George I Louis   28 May 1660
Hanover
Son of Ernest Augustus I and Sophia of the Palatinate 		23 January 1698 – 11 June 1727 Electorate of Hanover Sophia Dorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg
22 November 1682
Celle
(annulled 1694)
two children 		11 June 1727
Osnabrück
aged 67		 The electorship became effective under his rule. In 1705 reunited his father-in-law's princedom of Lüneburg to the Electorate. In 1714 was chosen for King of Great Britain, starting a personal union between Hanover and this new country. Lüneburg was definitely annexed to the Electorate. Thus the Wolfenbüttel was the remaining old land of Brunswick-Lüneburg that remained separate.
Augustus William   8 March 1662
Wolfenbüttel
Son of Anton Ulrich and Elisabeth Juliana of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Norburg 		27 March 1714 – 23 March 1731 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Christine Sophie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
1681
no children

Sophie Amalie of Holstein-Gottorp
1695
no children

Elisabeth Sophie Marie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderborg-Norburg
1710
no children 		23 March 1731
Wolfenbüttel
aged 69		 Ruler of the only land that was still not in Hanoverian lands, to which it would never belong.
George II Augustus   30 October/9 November 1683O.S./N.S.
Herrenhausen Palace
Son of George I Louis and Sophia Dorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg 		11 June 1727 – 25 October 1760 Electorate of Hanover Wilhelmina Charlotte Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach
22 August / 2 September 1705O.S./N.S.
Hanover
ten children 		25 October 1760
Kensington Palace, London
aged 76		 In personal union with Great Britain.
Louis Rudolph   22 July 1671
Wolfenbüttel
Son of 		23 March 1731 – 1 March 1735 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Christine Louise of Oettingen-Oettingen
22 April 1690
Aurich
three children 		1 March 1735
Braunschweig
aged 63		 Left no male heirs, and his land passed to a collateral line.
Ferdinand Albert II   29 May 1680
Bevern
Son of Ferdinand Albert I and Christina Wilhelmina of Hesse-Eschwege 		23 April 1687 – 2 September 1735

1 March – 2 September 1735		 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
(at Bevern until March 1735)

Principality of Wolfenbüttel
(at Wolfenbüttel proper from March 1735)		 Antoinette Amalie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
15 October 1712
Braunschweig
thirteen children 		2 September 1735
Salzdahlum
aged 55		 Grandson of Augustus II, and from a collateral line of Brunswick-Bevern the family), succeeded in 1735. He was married to the daughter of the previous ruler.
Charles I   1 August 1713
Braunschweig
Son of Ferdinand Albert II and Antoinette Amalie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel 		2 September 1735 – 26 March 1780 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Philippine Charlotte of Prussia
2 June 1733
Berlin
thirteen children 		26 March 1780
Braunschweig
aged 66		 Founder of the Collegium Carolinum in Brunswick, the porcelain makers of Fürstenberg, the fire office; in 1753 the Residence was moved to Brunswick.
George III William Frederick   4 June 1738
Norfolk House, London
Son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha 		25 October 1760 – 29 January 1820 Electorate of Hanover
(until 1814)
Kingdom of Hanover
(from 1814)		 Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
8 September 1761
London
fifteen children 		29 January 1820
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
aged 81 		In personal union with Great Britain.
Regency of Prince George of the United Kingdom (1811–1820)
Charles II William Ferdinand   9 October 1735
Wolfenbüttel
Son of Charles I and Philippine Charlotte of Prussia 		26 March 1780 – 10 November 1806 Principality of Wolfenbüttel Augusta of Great Britain
16 January 1764
London
seven children 		10 November 1806
Ottensen
aged 71		 Due to financial problems, was obliged to replace his father. He was the head of the Prussian Army; died in the Battle of Jena; because his son and heir died young, and two other sons were not eligible, rule passed to his youngest son.
With the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the title of Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg ceased to exist. However, its successor states continued.
Frederick William the Black Duke   9 October 1771
Braunschweig
Son of Charles II William Ferdinand and Augusta of Great Britain 		16 October 1806 – 8 July 1807

1813 – 16 June 1815		 Principality of Wolfenbüttel
(until 1807)

Duchy of Brunswick
(from 1813)		 Marie Elisabeth Wilhelmine of Baden
1 November 1802
Karlsruhe
three children 		16 June 1815
Quatre Bras
aged 43		 Duke of Oels/Silesia, the "Black Duke"; recruited a Freikorps (volunteer corps), the Black Brunswickers, at the outbreak of the War of the Fifth Coalition in Bohemia in 1809, and made his way via Brunswick to the North Sea and then on to Great Britain.
On the Eve of Napoleonic era, in 1807 the Duchy was briefly annexed to the Kingdom of France, to appear again in 1813 as Duchy of Brunswick.
Regency of Prince George of the United Kingdom (1815–1823) On the eve of the July Revolution of 1830, Charles was in Paris, and did not manage to keep the duchy for himself; his brother William took over with the agreement of the people and his international neighbours.
Charles II   30 October 1804
Braunschweig
First son of Frederick William and Marie of Baden 		16 June 1815 – 9 September 1830 Duchy of Brunswick Unmarried 18 August 1873
Geneva
aged 68
George IV Augustus Frederick   12 August 1762
St James's Palace, London
First son of George III William Frederick and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 		29 January 1820 – 26 June 1830 Kingdom of Hanover Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
8 April 1795
London
one child 		26 June 1830
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
aged 67		 In personal union with the United Kingdom. Named regent of his father due to his illness, succeeding him after his death in 1820. Left no male descendants. The Kingdom passed to his brother.
William IV Henry   21 August 1765
Buckingham House, London
Third son of George III William Frederick and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 		9 September 1830 – 20 June 1837 Kingdom of Hanover Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
13 July 1818
London
four children 		20 June 1837
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
aged 71		 In personal union with the United Kingdom. Usually numbered IV as King of Hanover and the United Kingdom. As he left only illegitimate descendants, the land passed to his brother.
William   25 April 1806
Braunschweig
Second son of Frederick William and Marie of Baden 		9 September 1830 – 18 October 1884 Duchy of Brunswick Unmarried 18 October 1884
Sybillenort
aged 78
Victoria   24 May 1819
Kensington Palace, London
Daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn and Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld 		20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901 United Kingdom Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
10 February 1840
St James's Palace
nine children 		22 January 1901
Osborne House, [[Isle of Wight]
aged 81 		End of personal union with the United Kingdom, as in this country the successor in 1837 was Queen Victoria, niece of William Henry. In Hanover the Salic Law was still active.
Ernest Augustus   5 June 1771
Buckingham House, London
Fifth son of George III William Frederick and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 		1837 – 18 November 1851 Kingdom of Hanover Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
29 May 1815
Neustrelitz
three children 		18 November 1851
Hanover
aged 80
George V Frederick   27 May 1819
Berlin
Son of Ernest Augustus and Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 		18 November 1851 – 20 September 1866 Kingdom of Hanover Marie of Saxe-Altenburg
18 February 1843
Hanover
three children 		12 June 1878
Paris
aged 59 		He was the last king of Hanover, as his reign ended with the Unification of Germany.
Hanover annexed to the German Empire
Regency of Prince Albert of Prussia (1885–1906)
Regency of Duke John Albert of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1906–1913) 		His regency came to an end on 1 November 1913 when Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover's son, was permitted to ascend to Duchy following his marriage to Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia. In 1918, with the abolition of the monarchy, all nobles titles were equally abolished.
Ernest Augustus   17 November 1887
Penzing
Son of Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover and Thyra of Denmark 		1 November 1913 – 8 November 1918 Brunswick Victoria Louise of Prussia
24 May 1913
Berlin
five children 		30 January 1953
Marienburg Castle (Hanover)
aged 65

Family trees

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Welf family tree 12th century

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Welf family tree 18th century to present

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Some direct ancestors (fathers and sons) of the present generation are:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jones, B. (2013). Dictionary of World Biography. Canberra, Australia: Australian National University Press. p. 356. ISBN 9781922144492.
  2. ^ Canduci, pg. 294
  3. ^ Riedesel, Friedrich Adolf (1868). von Eelking, Max (ed.). Memoirs, and Letters and Journals, of Major General Riedesel During His Residence in America. Vol. 1. Translated by Stone, William L. Albany: J. Munsell. p. 29. I remain ever, Your affectionate Charles, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg. Brunswick, February 14, 1776. To Colonel Riedesel.
  4. ^ Grubenhagen was firstly annexed to Wolfenbüttel, but in 1617 was a part of Lüneburg.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k The numbering of the first Henrys and Welfs follows the one established in the Historia Welforum. See Historia Welforum Weingartensis, MGH SS XXI.
  6. ^ Schneidmüller, Die Welfen, p. 127; Störmer, Die Welfen in der Reichspolitik, p. 261.
  7. ^ "Sophia von Bayern. In: Genealogie Mittelalter: Mittelalterliche Genealogie im Deutschen Reich bis zum Ende der Staufer". Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  8. ^ Numbered V as Count Palatine of the Rhine
  9. ^ Numbered VI as Count Palatine of the Rhine
  10. ^ As the first Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, the numbering restarts from here.
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Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Welf".
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