TheHouse of Welf (alsoGuelf orGuelph)[1] is a Europeandynasty that has included many German and Britishmonarchs from the 11th to 20th century and EmperorIvan VI of Russia in the 18th century. The originallyFranconian family from the Meuse-Moselle area was closely related to the imperial family of theCarolingians.
The (Younger) House of Welf is the older branch of theHouse of Este, a dynasty whose earliest known members lived inVeneto andLombardy in the late 9th/early 10th century, sometimes called Welf-Este. The first member wasWelf I, Duke of Bavaria, also known as Welf IV. He inherited the property of theElder House of Welf when his maternal uncleWelf III, Duke of Carinthia and Verona, the last male Welf of the Elder House, died in 1055.
The first genealogy of the Welfs is theGenealogia Welforum, composed shortly before 1126. A much more detailed history of the dynasty, theHistoria Welforum, was composed around 1170. It is the earliest history of a noble house in Germany.
Lothair left his territory aroundBrunswick, inherited from his mother of theBrunonids, to his daughter Gertrud. Her husband Henry the Proud became then the favoured candidate in the imperial election againstConrad III of theHohenstaufen. Henry lost the election, as the other princes feared his power and temperament, and was dispossessed of his duchies by Conrad III.
Henry's brotherWelf VI (1115–1191), Margrave of Tuscany, later left his Swabian territories around Ravensburg, the original possessions of theElder House of Welf, to his nephew EmperorFrederick I, and thus to the House of Hohenstaufen.
Steingaden Abbey, Swabia, place of burial of its founder Welf VI (d. 1191)
The possessions of the Welfs in the days of Henry the Lion
The next duke of the Welf dynastyHenry 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 marriedMatilda (1156–1189), the daughter ofHenry II of England andEleanor of Aquitaine, and sister ofRichard 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 theBattle 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 toOtto I, Duke of Bavaria, and theDuchy of Saxony was divided between the Archbishop of Cologne, theHouse of Ascania and others. Henry died at Brunswick in 1195.
Henry the Lion's son, Otto of Brunswick, was electedKing of the Romans and crownedHoly Roman Emperor Otto IV after years of further conflicts with the Hohenstaufen emperors. He incurred the wrath ofPope Innocent III and wasexcommunicated in 1215. Otto was forced to abdicate the imperial throne by the HohenstaufenFrederick II.[2] He was the only Welf to become Holy Roman Emperor.
Henry the Lion's grandsonOtto the Child became duke of a part of Saxony in 1235, the newDuchy 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 imperialfief. 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 titleDuke/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 theElectorate of Hanover and thePrincipality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and these would become theKingdom of Hanover and theDuchy of Brunswick after theCongress of Vienna in 1815.
In 1269 thePrincipality 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 ofBrunswick, the Brunswick Line moved their residence toWolfenbüttel Castle, thus the nameWolfenbüttel became the unofficial name of this principality. WithIvan 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 newBrunswick Palace. In 1814 the principality became theDuchy of Brunswick, ruled by the senior branch of the House of Welf.
Principality of Calenberg – later Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg
In 1432 the estates gained by thePrincipality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel between theDeister andLeine split away as thePrincipality of Calenberg. In 1495 it was expanded aroundGöttingen and in 1584 went back to the Wolfenbüttel Line. In 1634, as a result of inheritance distributions, it went to theHouse of Luneburg residing atCelle Castle. In 1635 it was given toGeorge, younger brother ofPrince Ernest II of Lüneburg, who choseHanover as his residence.
Religion-driven politics placed Ernest Augustus's wifeSophia of the Palatinate in the line of succession to the British crown by theAct 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 theHouse of Stuart.
Sophia's sonGeorge I succeeded Queen Anne and formed apersonal union from 1714 between the British crown and the Electorate of Hanover, which lasted until well after the end of theNapoleonic 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 theHouse of Hanover.
Coat of arms of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain (1714–1801)
The "Electorate of Hanover" (the core duchy) was enlarged with the addition of other lands and became theKingdom of Hanover in 1814 at theCongress of Vienna. During the first half of the nineteenth century, the Kingdom was ruled aspersonal union by theBritish crown from its creation underGeorge III of the United Kingdom, the lastelector of Hanover until the death ofWilliam IV in 1837.
The Kingdom of Hanover was lost in 1866 by Ernest Augustus's sonGeorge V of Hanover, Austria's ally during theAustro-Prussian War, when it was annexed byPrussia after Austria's defeat and became the Prussian province of Hanover. The Welfs went into exile atGmunden, Austria, where they builtCumberland Castle.
The senior line of the dynasty had ruled the much smaller principality ofBrunswick-Wolfenbüttel, created the sovereignDuchy of Brunswick in 1814. This line became extinct in 1884. Although the Duchy should have been inherited by theDuke 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, marriedthe daughter of KaiserWilhelm 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.
AlsoDuke of Carinthia. By intercession of his auntRichlind 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 theWeingarten Abbey, was transferred, by widowImiza of Luxembourg, then its Abbess and also mother of the late count, to Welf IV, son of her daughter Kunigunda.[6]
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 ofDuke of Bavaria (1136–38), and conquering also the title ofDuke of Saxony (1137–1139) inherited from their mother. Welf VI would also go on to becomeMargrave of Tuscany andDuke of Spoleto (1152–1160 and 1167–1173).
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 wasCount Palatine of the Rhine (1195–1213), and Otto wasHoly Roman Emperor (1212–1218). Henry also inherited, after William's death, extensive properties near theElbe and theWeser.
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.
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.
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.
Sons of Otto II, ruled jointly. After Otto's death in 1352, William ruled alone. His death without descendants precipitated theLüneburg War of Succession in 1370.
Inherited Wolfenbüttel from his father. However, theLüneburg 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 ofMagnus 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 uncleDuke 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 brotherHenry did not agree with this ruling, and after vain attempts to reach an agreement, the fight flared up again in the spring of 1388. ElectorWenceslas had to assemble an army without the help of Bernard, supported by the town of Lüneburg. FromWinsen an der Aller, he wanted to attackCelle, 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 theBishop of Minden andCount of Schaumburg and set up his own army. On 28 May 1388, battle was joined at Winsen an der Aller; it ended in victory forHenry. 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.
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.
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 thePrincipality of Göttingen to Calenberg. In 1473, William also annexed Wolfenbüttel.
Sons of Eric I, were under regency until 1440, when they divided Grubenhagen. Henry keptHeldenburg Castle, and AlbertHerzberg Castle, but kept the joint rule atOsterode am Harz andEinbeck. Ernest didn't participate in the division, and abdicated in 1464, to become acanon inHalberstadt.
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.
With his uncle Albert, officialized the division of Grubenhagen. However, his death without descendants allowed his cousins (sons of Albert) to reunite Grubenhagen.
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.
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 theLutherans, and driving force behind the Catholic alliance established against theSchmalkaldic League; the disinheritance of a third son could not be carried out.
Sons of Henry VII, ruled jointly. Otto abdicated in 1527 and founded his own estate, theLordship of Harburg, which passed to his own descendants. Ernest was a champion of theProtestant cause during the early years of the ProtestantReformation. 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.
During his regency, his mother implemented theReformation 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.
Brothers of Francis Otto, initially ruled jointly. In 1569, Henry founded the duchy ofDannenberg, which left to his own descendants. William ruled alone from 1569.
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.
In 1584 Julius absorbed the Principality of Calenberg. By embracing the ProtestantReformation, establishing theUniversity of Helmstedt, and introducing a series of administrative reforms, Julius was one of the most important Brunswick dukes in the early modern era.
Absorbed Grubenhagen from Wolfenbüttel. As he left no descendants, the land passed to his brother, Augustus. Grubenhagen is definitively annexed to Lüneburg.
Children of Henry Julius. Frederick Ulirch inheriteed the major duchy, and Sophie Hedwig a seat atSpiegelberg. 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 forAnton von Streithorst, who nearly ruined the state by minting coins from cheap metals and thus causinginflation. 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.
Younger son of Henry (VI). Inherited Wolfenbüttel from his cousin Frederick Ulrich, who had left no descendants. In 1643 he moved into the Residence atWolfenbüttel, was the founder of a barock theatre and theBibliotheca Augusta.
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.
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, theElector of Hanover. Lüneburg is annexed to Hanover.
Sons of Augustusthe Younger, the eldest two ruled jointly from 1685 to 1702. The youngest, Ferdinand Albert, ruled from the town ofBevern. According to reports dating to 1677, Rudolf Augustus slashed a way through the Lechlum Forest, theAlten Weg ("Old Way"), later the "Barock Road" between theLustschloss ofAntoinettenruh via the little barock castle [later theSternhaus] to theGroßes Weghaus atStöckheim; 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 alsoSalzdahlum Castle built.
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 forKing of Great Britain, starting apersonal union between Hanover and this new country. Lüneburg was definitely annexed to the Electorate. Thus theWolfenbüttel was the remaining old land of Brunswick-Lüneburg that remained separate.
Grandson of Augustus II, and from a collateral line ofBrunswick-Bevern the family), succeeded in 1735. He was married to the daughter of the previous ruler.
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 theHoly Roman Empire in 1806, the title ofDuke of Brunswick-Lüneburg ceased to exist. However, itssuccessor states continued.
On the eve of theJuly 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.
Inpersonal 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.
Inpersonal union with the United Kingdom. Usually numberedIV as King of Hanover and the United Kingdom. As he left only illegitimate descendants, the land passed to his brother.
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.
4 other sons, and 4 daughers Ferdinand (1721–1792)
Luise Amalie (1722–1780)Sophie Antoinette (1724–1802)Albrecht (1725–1745)Christine Charlotte (1726–1766)Therese Natalie (1728–1778)Juliane Marie (1729–1766)Friedrich Franz (1732–1758)
Key: : The red border indicates leaders of the House : The bold black border indicates children of leaders : The thin black border indicates other relatives
Male, male-line, legitimate, non-morganatic members of the house who either lived to adulthood, or who held a title as a child, are included. Heads of the house are in bold.
Coat of Arms of the Guelphs; Bavaria c. 1200 (margins probably late 13th century); sandstone; from Steingaden Abbey
Coat of arms of the House of Welf-Brunswick (Braunschweig), probably based on theirEnglish cousin's arms.
COA of the principality of Lüneburg, possilby based on their in-laws theDanish Royal House and Henry the Lion.
Coat of Arms of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Brunswick-Luneburg 1250, 1367
Brunswick-Luneburg 1482, coats of arms of the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1482–1582);[13]
coats of arms of the duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1582–1596); Brunswick-Lüneburg (1582–1624); Brunswick-Harburg (1582–1624);[14]
coats of arms of the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1585);[15]
coats of arms of the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1596–1599);[16]
coats of arms of the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1599–1613);[17]
coats of arms of the duchy of Brunswick (-Wolfenbüttel) (1634–1918); coats of arms of the electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg;[18]
coats of arms of the electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg;[19]
Coat of Arms of Ernest Augustus (1692–1698) & George I Louis, Electors-designate of Hanover (1698–1708) until approved by the Imperial Diet in 1708, hence the blank red electorial shield.[20]
Coat of Arms of George I Louis, Elector of Hanover (1708–1714) (same as his father's but with the electorial shield now filled)
^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.
^Grubenhagen was firstly annexed to Wolfenbüttel, but in 1617 was a part of Lüneburg.
^abcdefghijkThe numbering of the first Henrys and Welfs follows the one established in theHistoria Welforum. SeeHistoria Welforum Weingartensis, MGH SS XXI.
^Schneidmüller,Die Welfen, p. 127; Störmer,Die Welfen in der Reichspolitik, p. 261.
^ 1: duchy of Brunswick; 2: duchy of Lüneburg; 3: county of Eberstein; 4: lordship of Homburg
^1: duchy of Brunswick; 2: duchy of Lüneburg; 3: lordship of Homburg; 4: county of Eberstein; 5: county of Hoya; 6a/d: lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen; 6b/c: lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen
^1: duchy of Brunswick; 2: duchy of Lüneburg; 3: lordship of Homburg; 4: county of Eberstein; 5: county of Hoya (1); 6: county of Diepholz (1); 7: county of Hoya (2)[a,d: lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen; b,c: lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen]; 8: county of Diepholz(2)
^1: duchy of Brunswick; 2: duchy of Lüneburg; 3: lordship of Homburg; 4: county of Eberstein; 5: county of Hoya; 6: county of Lauterberg(1); 7: lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen; 8: county of Hohenstein; 9: lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen; 10: county of Lauterberg(2); 11: lordship of Klettenberg
^1: duchy of Lüneburg; 2: duchy of Brunswick; 3: lordship of Homburg; 4: county of Eberstein; 5: reservation? ; 6: county of Lauterburg(1); 7: lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen; 8: county of Hoya; 9: county of Hohenstein; 10: lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen; 12: count of Lauterberg(2); 13: county of Regenstein; 14: county of Klettenberg; 15: county of Blankenburg.|Braunschweig-1613.PNG| coats of arms of the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1613–1634); 1: duchy of Lüneburg; 2: duchy of Brunswick; 3: lordship of Homburg; 4: county of Everstein; 5: county of Hoya; 6: county of Lauterberg (1); 7: lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen; 8: county of Klettenberg; 9: county of Hohenstein; 10: lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen; 12: county of Lauterberg(2); 13: county of Regenstein; 14: county of Blankenburg.
^ 1: duchy of Lüneburg; 2: duchy of Brunswick; 3: county of Eberstein; 4: lordship of Homburg; 5: county of Diepholz (1); 6: county of Lauterberg(1); 7a/d: county of Hoya; 7bc1: lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen; 7b/c2: lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen; 8: county of Diepholz(2); 9a: county of Hohenstein; 9b: county of Lauterberg(2); 10: county of Regenstein; 11; county of Klettenberg; 12: county of Blankenburg.
^1: duchy of Lüneburg; 2: duchy of Brunswick; 3: county of Eberstein; 4: lordship of Homburg; 6: county of Lauterberg(1); 7a: county of Hoya; 7b: lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen; 7b2: lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen; 8: county of Diepholz(1); 9a: county of Hohenstein; 9b: county of Lauterberg(2); 10: county of Klettenberg; 11: county of Diepholz(2); 12a: county of Regenstein; 12b: county of Bankenburg; heart: duchy of Saxonia (Westphalia)
^Ecartelé, I: de gueules, à deux léopards d'or (Welf) ; II: de gueules, au cheval cabré d'argent, harnaché d'or (Saxe ancien our Westphalie) III: d'or, semé de cœurs de gueules, au lion d'azur (Lunebourg), IV: d'azure au lion couronné d'argent (Comté d'Eberstein), V: le cinquiéme vuide pour fair place à l'écu sur le tout, VI: de gueules au lion d'or, à la borure componnée d'argent et d'azure (Comté de Hombourg), VII: d'azure au lion d'argent; et au dessours pour VIII'eme quartier, d'argent à l'aigle éployé d'azure (Comté de Deipholt), IX: vuide pour fair place à l'écu sur le tout, X:de gueules au lion d'or; et au dessous, XI: d'or à trois fasces de gueules (Comté de Latuerberg), XII: en revenant au flanc dextre, d'argent au cerf de sable (Comté de Clettemberg), XIII: sous l'écu sur le tout, d'argent, à deux pattes d'ours adoffées, mises en pal; coupé, fascé de gueules et d'argent; recoupé, gironné d'argent et d'azur (Comtés de Hoga et de Bruchussen), XIV: échiqueté d'argent et de gules (Comté de Honstein), la pointe de l'écu, d'argent à une perche de boid de cerf de gueules, chevillée de quatre cors, posée en fasce, parti d'argent à la perche de boid de cerf de sable, chevillée de quatre cors, posée en fasce (Comtés de Reinstein et de Blanenbourg).
^1=Shield of the Duchy of Brunswick. Quarterly of 12:
2: Duchy of Brunswick/Braunschweig (Gules, two lions passant guardant in pale or); In 1235Otto I was elevated to Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg by the Emperor. He was the only son ofw:William of Winchester, Lord of Lunenburg, born in Winchester, England, the fifth and youngest son of the deposed Duke Henry the Lion of Saxony and Bavaria by his wife Matilda, the eldest daughter of King Henry II of England. Otto's royal lineage was accentuated by the arms designed for Brunswick and Lüneburg. The coat of arms of Brunswick consisted of two golden leopards in a red field and was derived from the coat of arms of England because of the marriage of Henry the Lion to Mathilde of England. (Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
5: county of Diepholz. In 1585 the lords of Diepholz died out with Frederick II. The area later named a county fell to Duke William of Brunswick-Celle, (w:William the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (d.1592)) the founder of the newer branch of Lüneburg. His brother Hendrik van Brunswijk-Dannenberg (w:Henry, Duke of Brunswick-Dannenberg (1533-1598))) was the founder of the newer branch Brunswijk. They both included Diepholz's coat of arms in their coat of arms.
7a:w:County of Hoya;w:de:Grafschaft Hoya; In 1582 the house of Hoya died out with Count Otto VIII. Half of the county of Hoya belonged to Duke Wilhelm of Brunswick-Celle (?w:William the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1535-1592)) from the middle branch of Lüneburg, the other half to Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel from the middle branch of Brunswick. The coats of arms of the County of Hoya and the associated lordships of Alt-Bruchhausen and Neu-Bruchhauden were added to the arms of both branches. Brunswijk-Wolfenbüttel carried this coat of arms until 1596 and Brunswijk-Harburg until 1624. (Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
7b1: lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen; Wappen der Grafschaft Neubruchhausen
7b2:; lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen;
8: county of Diepholz
9:w:de:Hohnstein (Adelsgeschlecht); county of Hohnstein; In 1593, the Klettenberg branch of the Counts of Hohnstein died out. The Counts of Stolberg inherited the county, but Brunswijk also claimed the county as liege lord. In 1596, the Dukes of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel took up the arms in their coat of arms. Eventually the county was divided between Brunswijk and Stolberg. (Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
10:w:County of Regenstein; In 1162 the Comes de Regenstein (Count of Regenstein), Conrad, was mentioned for the first time. He was the son of Count Poppo I of Blankenburg, a vassal of the Duke of Saxony. After Poppo's death around 1161, his sons divided their heritage: Conrad took his residence at Regenstein Castle, 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Blankenburg, and became the ancestor of the noble House of Regenstein, while his brother Siegfried I retained Blankenburg Castle. In the 15th century, the Regenstein counts moved to nearby Blankenburg Castle. Regenstein fell into disrepair and became a ruin. The last male descendant of the noble family, Count John Ernest of Regenstein, died in 1599.
11:w:de:Grafschaft Klettenberg; county of Klettenberg; in 1593, the Klettenberg branch of the Counts of Hohnstein died out.
12:w:County of Blankenburg. In 1599 the counts of Blankenburg died out with Count Johan Ernst. The county came to Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel as a vacant fief. The arms of the counts of Blankenburg were also added. After the death of Duke Hendrik Julius in 1613, the ranking was changed by his successor Frederik Ulrich. With this duke the middle house Brunswijk (in Wolfenbüttel) died out in 1634.(Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
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Duchy of Brunswick/Braunschweig (Gules, two lions passant guardant in pale or); In 1235Otto I was elevated to Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg by the Emperor. He was the only son ofw:William of Winchester, Lord of Lunenburg, born in Winchester, England, the fifth and youngest son of the deposed Duke Henry the Lion of Saxony and Bavaria by his wife Matilda, the eldest daughter of King Henry II of England. Otto's royal lineage was accentuated by the arms designed for Brunswick and Lüneburg. The coat of arms of Brunswick consisted of two golden leopards in a red field and was derived from the coat of arms of England because of the marriage of Henry the Lion to Mathilde of England. (Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
County of Eberstein/Everstein (Azure, a lion rampant argent armed and langued gules crowned or);w:de:Everstein (Adelsgeschlecht); In 1425w:Otto IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (d.1446) (son ofw:Bernard I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg) married the heiress Countess Elizabeth of Eberstein (c.1415-1468), which gave him the possession of the County of Eberstein in 1408. The dukes included the arms of Eberstein and Homburg in their coat of arms in 1482. Their descendants, the later Electors of Hanover and the Dukes of Brunswick, continued to do so. (Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
lordship of Homburg; in 1409w:Bernard I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1358/64-1434) ("Middle House of Lüneburg") bought the lordship of Homburg, whose lords had died out in 1408. (Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
county of Diepholz. In 1585 the lords of Diepholz died out with Frederick II. The area later named a county fell to Duke William of Brunswick-Celle, (w:William the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (d.1592)) the founder of the newer branch of Lüneburg. His brother Hendrik van Brunswijk-Dannenberg (w:Henry, Duke of Brunswick-Dannenberg (1533-1598))) was the founder of the newer branch Brunswijk. They both included Diepholz's coat of arms in their coat of arms.
w:de:Grafschaft Lohra; county of Lohra; county of Lauterberg;
w:County of Hoya;w:de:Grafschaft Hoya; In 1582 the house of Hoya died out with Count Otto VIII. Half of the county of Hoya belonged to Duke Wilhelm of Brunswick-Celle (?w:William the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1535-1592)) from the middle branch of Lüneburg, the other half to Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel from the middle branch of Brunswick. The coats of arms of the County of Hoya and the associated lordships of Alt-Bruchhausen and Neu-Bruchhauden were added to the arms of both branches. Brunswijk-Wolfenbüttel carried this coat of arms until 1596 and Brunswijk-Harburg until 1624. (Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
lordship of Neu-Bruchhausen; Wappen der Grafschaft Neubruchhausen
; lordship of Alt-Bruchhausen;
w:de:Hohnstein (Adelsgeschlecht); county of Hohnstein; In 1593, the Klettenberg branch of the Counts of Hohnstein died out. The Counts of Stolberg inherited the county, but Brunswijk also claimed the county as liege lord. In 1596, the Dukes of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel took up the arms in their coat of arms. Eventually the county was divided between Brunswijk and Stolberg. (Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
w:County of Regenstein; In 1162 the Comes de Regenstein (Count of Regenstein), Conrad, was mentioned for the first time. He was the son of Count Poppo I of Blankenburg, a vassal of the Duke of Saxony. After Poppo's death around 1161, his sons divided their heritage: Conrad took his residence at Regenstein Castle, 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Blankenburg, and became the ancestor of the noble House of Regenstein, while his brother Siegfried I retained Blankenburg Castle. In the 15th century, the Regenstein counts moved to nearby Blankenburg Castle. Regenstein fell into disrepair and became a ruin. The last male descendant of the noble family, Count John Ernest of Regenstein, died in 1599.
w:de:Grafschaft Klettenberg; county of Klettenberg; in 1593, the Klettenberg branch of the Counts of Hohnstein died out.
w:County of Blankenburg. In 1599 the counts of Blankenburg died out with Count Johan Ernst. The county came to Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel as a vacant fief. The arms of the counts of Blankenburg were also added. After the death of Duke Hendrik Julius in 1613, the ranking was changed by his successor Frederik Ulrich. With this duke the middle house Brunswijk (in Wolfenbüttel) died out in 1634.(Source:https://www.wikipe.wiki/wiki/nl/Wapens_van_Brunswijk_en_Lueneburg)
Media related toHouse of Welf at Wikimedia Commons
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