House of Welf

For its maternal parent house, seeElder House of Welf.For its paternal parent house, seeHouse of Este.For the faction supporting the pope in medieval Italy, seeGuelphs and Ghibellines.

TheHouse of Welf(alsoGuelforGuelph) is a Europeandynastythat has included many German and Britishmonarchsfrom the 11th to 20th century and EmperorIvan VI of Russiain the 18th century. The originallyFranconianfamily from the Meuse-Moselle area was closely related to the imperial family of theCarolingians.

House of Welf (Guelf, Guelph)
Parent house	House of Este(agnatic) Elder House of Welf(cognatic)
Country	Germany,Italy,United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Founded	8th century
Founder	Welf I, Duke of Bavaria
Final ruler	Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick
Titles	Holy Roman Emperor Emperor of Russia Empress of India King of the Romans King of Great Britain King of Ireland King of Italy King of Burgundy King of Hanover King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg Duke of Brunswick Duke of Bavaria Duke of Saxony Duke of Spoleto Prince of Lüneburg Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Count Palatine of the Rhine Margrave of Tuscany Elector of Hanover Lord of Mann Count of Paris
Estate(s)	Brunswick & Hanover
Deposition	1918(in Germany)
Cadet branches	House of Hanover

The possessions of the Welfs in the days of Henry the Lion

Origins

The (Younger) House of Welf is the older branch of theHouse of Este,a dynasty whose earliest known members lived inVenetoandLombardyin 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 Welfwhen his maternal uncleWelf 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 sisterKunigunde of Altdorfand her husbandAlbert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan.In 1070, Welf IV became Duke ofBavaria.

Welf II, Duke of Bavariamarried CountessMatilda of Tuscany,who died childless and left him her possessions, includingTuscany,Ferrara,Modena,Mantua,andReggio,which played a role in theInvestiture 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 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.

• 
  Kunigunde of Altdorf,sister of Welf III, wife ofAlbert Azzo II of Este,Margrave of Milan, parents of Welf IV
• 
  Welf I, Duke of Bavaria(c.1030/1040 – 1101)
• 
  Welf II, Duke of Bavaria(1073–1120)

Bavaria and Saxony

Henry IX, Duke of Bavaria,from 1120 to 1126, was the first of the three dukes of the Welf dynasty called Henry. His wifeWulfhildwas the heiress of the house ofBillung,possessing the territory aroundLüneburgin Lower Saxony. Their son,Henry the Proud,was the son-in-law and heir ofLothair II, Holy Roman Emperorand became alsoDuke of Saxonyon Lothair's death.

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 IIIof 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.

• 
  Henry the Black,duke of Bavaria (1075–1126) and his wife Wulfhild ofBillung
• 
  Henry the Proud(1102–1139), Duke of Bavaria and Saxony, and his wife Gertrud of Saxony, daughter ofLothair II, Holy Roman Emperor,Duke of Saxony
• 
  Welf VI(1115–1191), Margrave of Tuscany
• 
  Steingaden Abbey,Swabia, place of burial of its founder Welf VI (d. 1191)

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 EnglandandEleanor of Aquitaine,and sister ofRichard I of England,gaining ever more influence. His first cousin,Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperorof 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 Legnanoin 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 Saxonywas divided between the Archbishop of Cologne, theHouse of Ascaniaand others. Diminished lands did not prevent him from imprisoning Richard I on his return from theThird Crusade,and demanding a huge ransom in 1193. Henry died at Brunswick in 1195.

• 
  Henry the Lion(1130–1195), Duke of Bavaria and Saxony
• 
  Matilda Plantagenet(1156–1189), wife of Henry the Lion, sister ofRichard I of England
• 
  Henry'sDankwarderode CastleinBrunswick
• 
  Henry'sBrunswick Lion
• 
  Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor,son of Henry the Lion and Matilda of England

Brunswick and Hanover

Henry the Lion's son, Otto of Brunswick, was electedKing of the Romansand crownedHoly Roman Emperor Otto IVafter years of further conflicts with the Hohenstaufen emperors. He incurred the wrath ofPope Innocent IIIand wasexcommunicatedin 1215. Otto was forced to abdicate the imperial throne by the HohenstaufenFrederick II.He was the only Welf to become Holy Roman Emperor.

Coat-of-arms of theDuchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Henry the Lion's grandsonOtto the Childbecame 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-Lüneburgin addition to the style of the subordinate principality.By 1705, the subordinate principalities had taken their final form as theElectorate of Hanoverand thePrincipality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel,and these would become theKingdom of Hanoverand theDuchy of Brunswickafter theCongress of Viennain 1815.

Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

In 1269 thePrincipality of Brunswickwas 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 nameWolfenbüttelbecame the unofficial name of this principality. WithIvan VI of Russiathe 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

Coat of Arms of theElectorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg(1708)

In 1432 the estates gained by thePrincipality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttelbetween theDeisterandLeinesplit away as thePrincipality of Calenberg.In 1495 it was expanded aroundGöttingenand in 1584 went back to the Wolfenbüttel Line. In 1634, as a result of inheritance distributions, it went to theHouse of Luneburgresiding atCelle Castle.In 1635 it was given toGeorge,younger brother ofPrince Ernest II of Lüneburg,who choseHanoveras his residence.

New territory was added in 1665, and in 1705 the Principality of Luneburg was taken over by the Hanoverians. In 1692 DukeErnest Augustusfrom the Calenberg-Hanover Line acquired the right to be aprince-electorof the Holy Roman Empire as thePrince-Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg.Colloquially the Electorate was known as theElectorate of Hanover.In 1814 it was succeeded by theKingdom of Hanover.

British succession

Religion-driven politics placed Ernest Augustus's wifeSophia of the Palatinatein 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 Isucceeded Queen Anne and formed apersonal unionfrom 1714 between the British crown and the Electorate of Hanover, which lasted until well after the end of theNapoleonic Warsmore 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)
• 
  George I(1714–1727)
• 
  George II(1727–1760)
• 
  Frederick, Prince of Wales(b. 1707 d. 1751)
• 
  George III(1760–1820)
• 
  George IV(1820–1830)
• 
  William IV(1830–1837)
• 
  Victoria(1837–1901)

Kingdom of Hanover

The "Electorate of Hanover" (the core duchy) was enlarged with the addition of other lands and became theKingdom of Hanoverin 1814 at theCongress of Vienna.During the first half of the nineteenth century, the Kingdom was ruled aspersonal unionby theBritishcrown from its creation underGeorge IIIof the United Kingdom, the lastelector of Hanoveruntil the death ofWilliam IVin 1837.

At that point, the crown of Hanover went to William's younger brother,Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdaleunder theSalic lawrequiring the next male heir to inherit, whereas the British throne was inherited by anelder brother'sonly daughter,Queen Victoria.Her offspring belong to theHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha:in 1917 the name was changed to theHouse of Windsor.

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 byPrussiaafter Austria's defeat and became the Prussian province of Hanover. The Welfs went into exile atGmunden,Austria, where they builtCumberland Castle.

• 
  Coat of arms of thekingdom of Hanover1837
• 
  Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover
• 
  KingGeorge V of Hanover

Brunswick succession

Coat-of-arms of theDuchy of Brunswick

The senior line of the dynasty had ruled the much smaller principality ofBrunswick-Wolfenbüttel,created the sovereignDuchy of Brunswickin 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 daughterof KaiserWilhelm IIand 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 wasFrederica of Hanover,Queen of Greece († 1981), mother ofQueen Sofia of Spainand KingConstantine II of Greece.Frederica's brotherPrince George William of HanovermarriedPrincess Sophie of Greece and Denmark,sister ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.The House's head is Queen Frederica's nephewErnst August,the third and present husband ofPrincess Caroline of Monaco.

• 
  TheLeine Palacein Hanover
• 
  Herrenhausen PalaceandHerrenhausen Gardensin Hanover
• 
  Celle Castle
• 
  Brunswick Palace
• 
  Wolfenbüttel Castle
• 
  Marienburg Castle (Hanover)

Rulers

House of Welf

Partitions under Welf rule

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)				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 byPrussia

Table of rulers

Ruler		Born	Reign	Ruling part	Consort	Death	Notes
ElderHouse of Welf
Welf I(a)		c. 775 Son of Rothard of the Argengau	c. 800– 3 October 825	County ofAltdorf	Hedwig of Bavaria four children	3 October 825 aged 49-50	Eponymous founder of the family.
Conrad Ithe Elder		c. 800 Son ofWelf I(a) andHedwig of Bavaria	3 October 825 – 864	County ofAltdorf	Adelaide of Tours three children	864 aged 63-64
Welf I(b)		c. 835 First son ofConrad IandAdelaide of Tours	864 – 876	County ofAltdorf	Unknown at least one child	876 aged 40-41	Also Count at Linzgau, Alpgau and possibly Argengau.
Conrad IIthe Younger		c. 835 Second son ofConrad IandAdelaide of Tours	864 – 876	County of Auxerre	Waldrada of Worms one child	876 aged 40-41
Eticho		c. 850 Son ofWelf I(b)	876 – 911	County ofAltdorf	Egila three children	c. 911
Rudolf I		859 Son ofConrad IIandWaldrada of Worms	876 – 25 October 911	County of Auxerre (until 888) Kingdom ofUpper Burgundy (from 888)	Guilla of Provence c. 880 four children	25 October 911 aged 51-52	FirstKing of Burgundy,from 888.
Henry Iof the Golden Plough		c. 880 Son ofEtichoandEgila	911 – 935	County ofAltdorf	Atha of Hohenwart three children	c. 935 aged 54-55
Rudolf II		c. 880 Son ofRudolf IandGuilla of Provence	25 October 911 – 11 July 937	Kingdom ofUpper Burgundy	Bertha of Swabia 922 two children	11 July 937 aged 56-57	AlsoKing of Italy(922–926).
Rudolf I		c. 910 Son ofHenry IandAtha of Hohenwart	935 – 950	County ofAltdorf	Siburgis/Richlind at least one child	c. 950 aged 39-40
Conrad IIIthe Peaceful		925 Son ofRudolf IIandBertha of Swabia	11 July 937 – 19 October 993	Kingdom ofUpper Burgundy	Adelaide of Bellay one child Matilda of France 866 four children	19 October 993 aged 67-68
Rudolf II		c. 940 Son ofRudolf Iand Siburgis/Richlind	950 – 10 March 990	County ofAltdorf	Ita of Öhningen three children	10 Marchc. 990 aged 49-50
Henry II		c. 960 First son ofRudolf IIandIta of Öhningen	990 – 15 November 1000	County ofAltdorf	Unmarried	15 November 1000	Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Rudolf IIIthe Pious		970 Son ofConrad IIIandMatilda of France	19 October 993 – 6 September 1032	Kingdom ofUpper 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		c. 960 Second son ofRudolf IIandIta of Öhningen	15 November 1000 – 10 March 1030	County ofAltdorf	Imiza of Luxembourg 1017 two children	10 March 1030 Bodman-Ludwigshafen aged 69-70
Welf III		1007 Son ofWelf IIandImiza of Luxembourg	10 March 1030 – 13 November 1055	County ofAltdorf	Unmarried	13 November 1055 Bodman-Ludwigshafen aged 47-48	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.
Gisela		11 November 990 Daughter ofHerman II, Duke of SwabiaandGerberga of Burgundy	6 September 1032 – 15 February 1043	Kingdom ofUpper Burgundy (Conradine dnasty)	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 theHoly Roman Empire
YoungerHouse of Welf
Welf IV		c. 1035 Solesino(?) Son ofAlbert Azzo II, Margrave of MilanandKunigunde of Altdorf	13 November 1055 – 6 November 1101	County ofAltdorf	Ethelinde of Northeim 1062 no children Judith of Flanders 1071 three children	6 November 1101 Paphos aged 65-66	Son ofKunigunde of AltdorfandAlbert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan,inherited his maternal family's possessions. AlsoDuke of Bavaria(1070–1077 and 1096–1101).
Welf Vthe Fat		1072 First son ofWelf IVandJudith of Flanders	6 November 1101 – 4 September 1120	County ofAltdorf	Matilda of Tuscany 1088/89 no children	24 September 1120 aged 47-48	Left no children, and the county went to his brother. AlsoDuke of Bavaria.
Henry IIIthe Black		1075 Second son ofWelf IVandJudith of Flanders	4 September 1120 – 13 December 1126	County ofAltdorf	Wulfhilde of Saxony 1095 eight children	13 December 1126 Ravensburg aged 50-51	Inherited by marriage possessions in theLuneburg,to the north.
Henry IVthe Proud		1108 Second son ofHenry (III)andWulfhilde of Saxony	13 December 1126 – 20 October 1139	Lordship ofLüneburg	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 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 TuscanyandDuke of Spoleto(1152–1160 and 1167–1173). In 1129, after Henry the Proud's defeat againstLothair III, Holy Roman Emperor,his sister Sophia was given a seat atRegensburg. Fromc. 1150until 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 theHoly Roman Empire.
Welf VIthe Mild		1115 Third son ofHenry (III)andWulfhilde of Saxony	13 December 1126 – 15 December 1191	County ofAltdorf	Uta of Schauenburg c. 1130 two children	15 December 1191 Memmingen aged 75-76
Welf VII		1135 Son ofWelf VIandUta of Schauenburg	c. 1150– 12 September 1167		Unmarried	12 September 1167 Siena aged 31-32
Sophia		1105 Daughter ofHenry (III)andWulfhilde of Saxony	1129 – 10 July 1145	County ofAltdorf (atRegensburg)	Berthold III, Duke of Zähringen c. 1120 no children Leopold, Margrave of Styria c. 1122 four children	10 July 1145 aged 39-40
Regency ofGertrude of Süpplingenburg(1139–1142)							Inherited Brunswick from his mother after her death in 1143. AlsoDuke of Saxony(1142–1180) andDuke of Bavaria(1156–1180). WhenFrederick I, Holy Roman Emperor,became king of Germany, he restored Bavaria to the Welf line.
Henry Vthe Lion		1129 Ravensburg Son ofHenry (I)andGertrude of Süpplingenburg	20 October 1139 – 6 August 1195	Lordship ofLüneburg	Clementia of Zähringen 1147 three children Matilda of England 1168 five children	6 August 1195 Braunschweig aged 65-66
Henry (V)the Elder		1173 First son ofHenry (II)andMatilda of England	6 August 1195 – 1212	County Palatine of the Rhine (also atStadeandAltencelle,inLüneburg)	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 wasCount Palatine of the Rhine(1195–1213), and Otto wasHoly Roman Emperor(1212–1218). Henry also inherited, after William's death, extensive properties near theElbeand theWeser.
Otto		1175 Third son ofHenry (II)andMatilda of England	6 August 1195 – 19 May 1218	Lordship ofLüneburg (atHaldensleben)	Beatrice of Swabia 1212 no children Maria of Brabant 19 May 1214 Maastricht no children	19 May 1218 Harzburg aged 42-43
WilliamLongsword		11 April 1184 Winchester Fourth son ofHenry (II)andMatilda of England	6 August 1195 – 12 December 1213	Lordship ofLüneburg	Helena of Denmark 1202 Hamburg one child	12 December 1213 Lüneburg aged 29
Haldensleben re-merged in Lüneburg
Henry (VI)the Younger		1196 Son ofHenry (III)andAgnes 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 ofOtto IV, Holy Roman Emperor(1213–1218)							He was raised to Duke and recognised as such in 1235, byFrederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Otto Ithe Child		1204 Son ofWilliamandHelena 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 ofHenry (III)andAgnes 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 theHouse of Wittelsbach
Albert Ithe Tall		1236 First son ofOtto IandMatilda 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 ofOtto IandMatilda 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 ofAlbert I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg(1277–1279) Regency ofConrad 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 IIthe Strict		1266 Son ofJohnandLiutgard 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 Ithe Admirable		August 1267 First son ofAlbert IandAlexia 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 IIthe Fat		1268 Second son ofAlbert IandAlexia 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 ofAlbert IandAlexia 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 ofAlbert IIandRixa 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 theAltmarkregion, which he sold c.1340. Left no descendants. His inheritance went to his brothers.
Henry IIof Greece		c.1295 First son ofHenry IandAgnes 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 ofHenry IandAgnes of Meissen	7 September 1322 – 1325		Unmarried	c.1370 Einbeck aged 59-60
Ernest I		1297 Third son ofHenry IandAgnes 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 ofHenry IandAgnes of Meissen	7 September 1322 – 1360		Unmarried	1360 aged 61-62
Otto III		1296 Second son ofOtto IIandMatilda 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 theLüneburg War of Successionin 1370.
William IIthe Elder		c. 1300 Fourth son ofOtto IIandMatilda 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 Ithe Pious		1304 Seventh son ofAlbert IIandRixa 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 ofAlbert IIandRixa 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 ofErnest Iand 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 ofErnest Iand Adelaide of Eberstein-Polle	9 March 1361 – 1364		Unmarried	18 January 1401 aged 61-62
Frederick I		1350 Third son ofErnest Iand Adelaide of Eberstein-Polle	9 March 1361 – 4 May 1421	Principality of Grubenhagen (atOsterode)	Adelaide of Anhalt-Bernburg one child	4 May 1421 aged 70-71
Otto (II)the Evil		1330 Son ofErnest IandElisabeth 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 IIof the Necklace(Torquatus)		1328 Son ofMagnus IandSophia of Brandenburg-Stendal	1369 – 25 July 1373	Principality of Wolfenbüttel (withPrincipality of Lüneburg)	Katherine of Anhalt-Bernburg 1327 eight children	25 July 1373 Leveste aged 44-45	Inherited Wolfenbüttel from his father. However, theLüneburg War of Successionallowed 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-Wittenbergand 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: Albert of Saxe-Wittenberg(1373–1385), son of Elisabeth, daughter of William II. Wenceslaus I, Duke of Saxe-Wittenberg(1385–1388), uncle of the previous 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 brotherHenrydid not agree with this ruling, and after vain attempts to reach an agreement, the fight flared up again in the spring of 1388. ElectorWenceslashad 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 MindenandCount of Schaumburgand 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.
Frederick I		1357 First son ofMagnus IInadCatherine 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 ofMagnus IInadCatherine 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 ofMagnus IInadCatherine 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 ofFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Osterode(1383–1401)
Eric Ithe Winner		c. 1380 Son ofAlbert IandAgnes 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 ofOtto (II)andMargarethe 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 byCalenberg.
Göttingen annexed to Calenberg
William (III & I)the Victorious		1392 Son ofHenry (I)andSophia 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 thePrincipality of Göttingento Calenberg. In 1473, William also annexed Wolfenbüttel.
			1428 – 1432	Principality of Wolfenbüttel
			1432 – 25 July 1482	Principality of Calenberg (withPrincipalities of Göttingenfrom 1463 andWolfenbüttelfrom 1473)
Henry (II)the Peaceful		1411 Son ofHenry (I)andMargaret 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 ofFrederick IandAdelaide of Anhalt-Bernburg	4 May 1421 – 1452	Principality of Grubenhagen (atOsterode)	Schonetta of Nassau-Weilburg (d.1436) 1414 one child	1452	After his death, Osterode returned to Grubenhagen.
Osterode re-merged in Grubenhagen
Regency ofOtto II, Duke of Brunswick-Osterode(1427–1440)							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 HarzandEinbeck.Ernest didn't participate in the division, and abdicated in 1464, to become acanoninHalberstadt.
Henry III		1416 Grubenhagen First son ofEric IandElisabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen	28 May 1427 – 20 December 1464	Principality of Grubenhagen (atHeldenburgfrom 1440)	Margaret of Żagań before 27 June 1457 two children	20 December 1464 aged 47-48
Ernest II		1418 Second son ofEric IandElisabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen	28 May 1427 – 1466	Principality of Grubenhagen	Unmarried	1466 aged 47-48
Albert II		1 November 1419 Third son ofEric IandElisabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen	28 May 1427 – 15 August 1485	Principality of Grubenhagen (atHerzberg)	Elisabeth of Waldeck 15 October 1471 two children	15 August 1485 aged 65
Otto IVthe Lame		c.1400 First son ofBernard IandMargaret 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 IIthe Pious		1418 Second son ofBernard IandMargaret 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 ofFrederick IIandMagdalene 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 alsoPrince-Bishop of Hildesheim.
Otto Vthe Magnanimous		1439 First son ofFrederick IIandMagdalene of Brandenburg	1457 – 9 January 1471		Anne of Nassau-Siegen 25 September 1467 Celle two children	9 January 1471 Celle aged 31-32
Regency ofAlbert 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 ofHenry IIIandMargaret of Żagań	20 December 1464 – 6 December 1526	Principality of Grubenhagen (atHeldenburg)	Elisabeth of Saxe-Lauenburg 26 August 1494 Einbeck no children	6 December 1526 Einbeck aged 65-66
Regency ofAnne of Nassau-Siegen(1478–1486)							Son of Otto V. As he opposed to the newly elected EmperorCharles V,the latter deposed him from the duchy and gave it to his sons.
Henry (III)the Middle		15 September 1468 Lüneburg Son ofOtto VandAnne 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 IIIthe Turbulent		1424 First son of [[William the Victorious, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg|William (III & I) andCecilia 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) andCecilia of Brandenburg	25 July 1482 – 1495	Principality of Calenberg (atWolfenbütteluntil 1485; atPrincipality of Göttingenonly since 1491)	Elizabeth of Stolberg-Wernigerode 1444 three children	7 July 1503 Hardegsen aged 77-78
Regency ofHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenandElisabeth of Waldeck(1485-1490)							In 1526 reunited Grubenhagen under his hands.
Philip I		1476 Son ofAlbert IIandElisabeth of Waldeck	15 August 1485 – 4 September 1551	Grubenhagen (atHerzberg;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 ofWilliam (IV & II)andElisabeth 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 Ithe Elder		16 February 1470 Neustadt am Rübenberge Second son ofWilliam (IV & II)andElisabeth 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 ofHenry (IV)andCatherine 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 theLutherans,and driving force behind the Catholic alliance established against theSchmalkaldic League;the disinheritance of a third son could not be carried out.
Otto (VI & I)		24 August 1495 Celle First son ofHenry (III)andMargaret of Saxony	1520 – 11 August 1549	Principality of Lüneburg (atHarburgfrom 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, theLordship of Harburg,which passed to his own descendants. Ernest was a champion of theProtestantcause 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.
Ernest Ithe Confessor		27 June 1497 Uelzen Second son ofHenry (III)andMargaret 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 ofHenry (III)andMargaret of Saxony	1520 – 23 November 1549	Principality of Lüneburg (atDuchy of Gifhornfrom 1539)	Clara of Saxe-Lauenburg 29 September 1547 Amt Neuhaus seven children	23 November 1549 Gifhorn aged 41
Gifhorn re-merged in Lüneburg
Regencies ofElisabeth of BrandenburgandPhilip I, Landgrave of Hesse(1540–1545)							During his regency, his mother implemented theReformationin 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 IIthe Younger		10 August 1528 Dassel Son ofEric IandElisabeth 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 toWolfenbüttel
Council of Regency (1546–1555)							Left no descendants. The land passed to his brothers.
Francis Otto		20 June 1530 Celle First son ofErnest IandSophia 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 IIthe Famous		25 September 1528 Celle Son ofOtto (VI & I)and Meta von Campe	11 August 1549 – 26 October 1603	Principality of Lüneburg (atHarburg)	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 ofPhilip IandCatherine 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 ofErnest IandSophia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin	29 April 1559 – 19 January 1598	Principality of Lüneburg (from 1569 inDannenberg)	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 ofDannenberg,which left to his own descendants. William ruled alone from 1569.
William Vthe Young		4 July 1535 Fourth son ofErnest IandSophia 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 ofPhilip IandCatherine 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 ofHenry (V)andMaria 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 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.
Ernest II		31 December 1564 CelleFirst son ofWilliam VandDorothea 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 ofJuliusandHedwig 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 ofPhilip IandCatherine 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 ofHenry (VI)andUrsula of Saxe-Lauenburg	19 January 1598 – 26 October 1636	Principality of Lüneburg (atDannenberg)	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 ofOtto IIandHedwig of East Frisia	26 October 1603 – 30 March 1642	Principality of Lüneburg (inHarburg)	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 ofOtto IIandHedwig 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 ofOtto IIandHedwig 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
Christianthe Elder		9 November 1566 Celle Second son ofWilliam VandDorothea of Denmark	2 March 1611 – 8 November 1633	Principality of Lüneburg (withGrubenhagenfrom 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 ofElizabeth of Denmark(1616–1622)							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.
Frederick Ulrich		5 April 1591 Wolfenbüttel Son ofHenry JuliusandElizabeth 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 ofHenry JuliusandElizabeth of Denmark	1613 – 13 January 1642	Principality of Wolfenbüttel (atSpiegelberg)	Ernest Casimir I, Count of Nassau-Dietz 8 June 1607 Dillenburg two children	13 January 1642 Arnhem aged 49
Augustusthe Elder		18 November 1568 Celle Third son ofWilliam VandDorothea 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.
Augustusthe 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 atWolfenbüttel,was the founder of a barock theatre and theBibliotheca Augusta.
George		17 February 1582 Celle Sixth son ofWilliam VandDorothea 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 ofWilliam VandDorothea 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 brotherGeorge.
Christian Louis		25 February 1622 Herzberg Castle First son ofGeorgeandAnne 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 ofGeorgeandAnne 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, theElector 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 ofAugustusandDorothea 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 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 theLustschlossofAntoinettenruhvia the little barock castle [later theSternhaus] to theGroßes WeghausatStöckheim;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 Castlebuilt.
Anthony Ulrich		4 October 1633 Third son ofAugustusandDorothea 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 ofAugustusandElisabeth Sophie of Mecklenburg	17 September 1666 – 23 April 1687	Principality of Wolfenbüttel (atBevern)	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 ofGeorgeandAnne 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 ofGeorgeandAnne 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 appointedPrince-electorbyLeopold I, Holy Roman Emperor,thus raising the House of Welf to electoral dignity. The old Principality of Calenberg thus adopted the new name ofElectorate of Hanover.
George I Louis		28 May 1660 Hanover Son ofErnest Augustus IandSophia 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 forKing of Great Britain,starting apersonal unionbetween Hanover and this new country. Lüneburg was definitely annexed to the Electorate. Thus theWolfenbüttelwas the remaining old land of Brunswick-Lüneburg that remained separate.
Augustus William		8 March 1662 Wolfenbüttel Son ofAnton UlrichandElisabeth 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 ofGeorge I LouisandSophia 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	Inpersonal 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 ofFerdinand Albert IandChristina Wilhelmina of Hesse-Eschwege	23 April 1687 – 2 September 1735 1 March – 2 September 1735	Principality of Wolfenbüttel (atBevernuntil 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 ofBrunswick-Bevernthe family), succeeded in 1735. He was married to the daughter of the previous ruler.
Charles I		1 August 1713 Braunschweig Son ofFerdinand Albert IIandAntoinette 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 theCollegium Carolinumin 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 ofFrederick, Prince of WalesandAugusta 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	Inpersonal union with Great Britain.
Regency ofPrince George of the United Kingdom(1811–1820)
Charles II William Ferdinand		9 October 1735 Wolfenbüttel Son ofCharles IandPhilippine 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 theHoly Roman Empirein 1806, the title ofDuke of Brunswick-Lüneburgceased to exist. However, itssuccessor statescontinued.
Frederick Williamthe Black Duke		9 October 1771 Braunschweig Son ofCharles II William FerdinandandAugusta 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 aFreikorps(volunteer corps), theBlack Brunswickers,at the outbreak of theWar of the Fifth CoalitioninBohemiain 1809, and made his way via Brunswick to theNorth Seaand then on toGreat Britain.
On the Eve ofNapoleonic era,in 1807 the Duchy was briefly annexed to theKingdom of France,to appear again in 1813 asDuchy of Brunswick.
Regency ofPrince George of the United Kingdom(1815–1823)							On the eve of theJuly Revolutionof 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 ofFrederick WilliamandMarie 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 ofGeorge III William FrederickandCharlotte 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	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.
William IV Henry		21 August 1765 Buckingham House,London Third son ofGeorge III William FrederickandCharlotte 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	Inpersonal union with the United Kingdom.Usually numberedIVas 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 ofFrederick WilliamandMarie 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 ofPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and StrathearnandVictoria 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 ofpersonal union with the United Kingdom,as in this country the successor in 1837 wasQueen Victoria,niece of William Henry. In Hanover theSalic Lawwas still active.
Ernest Augustus		5 June 1771 Buckingham House,London Fifth son ofGeorge III William FrederickandCharlotte 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 ofErnest AugustusandFrederica 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 theUnification of Germany.
Hanover annexed to theGerman Empire
Regency ofPrince Albert of Prussia(1885–1906) Regency ofDuke 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 ofErnest Augustus, Crown Prince of HanoverandThyra 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

Welf family tree 12th century

Welf family tree 18th century to present

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

• Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover(1771–1851), Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale from 1799, king from 1837
• George V of Hanover(1819–1878)
• Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover(1845–1923)
• Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick(1887–1953)
• Ernest Augustus, Prince of Hanover(1914–1987)
• Ernest Augustus, Prince of Hanover(born 1954)

See also

• Guelph
• Guelph Treasure
• Family tree of German monarchs

External links

• Die Welfen. Official site(in German)
• Succession laws in the House of Welf