List of rulers of Brandenburg

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coat of arms of the Margraviate of Brandenburg.

This article lists the Margraves and Electors of Brandenburg during the period of time that Brandenburg was a constituent state of the Holy Roman Empire.

The Mark, or March, of Brandenburg was one of the primary constituent states of the Holy Roman Empire. It was created in 1157 as the Margraviate of Brandenburg by Albert the Bear, Margrave of the Northern March. In 1356, by the terms of the Golden Bull of Charles IV, the Margrave of Brandenburg was given the permanent right to participate in the election of the Holy Roman Emperor with the title of Elector (German: Kurfürst).

The early rulers came from several different dynasties, but from 1415 Brandenburg and its successor states were ruled by the House of Hohenzollern for over 500 years. From 1618 onward, Brandenburg was ruled in personal union with the Duchy of Prussia. The Hohenzollerns raised Prussia to a kingdom as the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701, and from then on Brandenburg was de facto treated as part of the kingdom even though it was legally still part of the Holy Roman Empire. The titles of Margrave of Brandenburg and Elector of Brandenburg were abolished along with the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, and Brandenburg was formally integrated into Prussia. Despite this, the Prussian kings still included the title "Margrave of Brandenburg" in their royal style. From 1871 to 1918 the Hohenzollerns were also German Emperors.

Margraves and Electors of Brandenburg[]

Ascanian Dynasty
Name Reign Comments
Albert I the Bear 1157–1170 Ruler of the Nordmark from 1134. Called "Albert the Bear".
Otto I 1170–1184 Son of Albert I. Ruled together with his father from 1144.
Otto II the Generous 1184–1205 Son of preceding.
Albert II 1205–1220 Brother.
  • 1220–1266
  • 1220–1267
Co-rulers, sons of Albert II.
From 1266 to 1319, Brandenburg was held by the two lines of Brandenburg-Stendal and Brandenburg-Salzwedel, all of whom jointly shared the title of Margrave.
Brandenburg-Stendal Brandenburg-Salzwedel
Co-rulers, sons of John I: Co-rulers, sons of Otto III:
Reunited Brandenburg
1317–1318: Henry I Lackland, Valdemar I the Great
1318–1319: Valdemar I the Great
1319–1320: Henry II the Child
After the extinction of the Ascanian dynasty in 1320, Brandenburg came under the control of the Emperor Louis IV of the House of Wittelsbach, who granted Brandenburg to his eldest son, Louis V of Bavaria.

House of Wittelsbach[]

Ruler Born Reign Death Ruling part Consort Notes
Louis I the Brandenburger LudwigI Wittelsbach Siegesallee.JPG May 1315 1323–1351 18 September 1361 Margraviate of Brandenburg
1324
no children

Margaret, Countess of Tyrol
10 February 1342
Meran
four children
In 1351 his brothers Louis and Otto gave up their inheritance in Bavaria, in exchange for the Electoral dignity in Brandenburg.
Louis II the Roman Ludwigvi.jpg 7 May 1328 1351–1356 17 May 1365 Margraviate of Brandenburg
before 1349
no children

Ingeborg of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
1360
no children
Elevated in 1356 by the Holy Roman Emperor as First Elector of Brandenburg.
Otto VII the Lazy OttoV Faule Siegesallee.JPG 1340/42 1365–1373 15 November 1379 Electorate of Brandenburg Catherine of Bohemia
19 March 1366
no children
Co-ruler of Brandenburg with his brother from 1351, but as a minor (b. 1346) took no part in administration until his brother's death. Abdicated 1373 but retained Electoral title. Died 1379.

Luxemburg Dynasty[]

Image Name Began Ended Comments
VaclavIV.jpg Wenceslaus
Wenzel
2 October 1373 29 November 1378 Emperor Charles IV forced the last Wittelsbach Elector to abdicate, and then installed his own son, Wenceslaus. As Wenceslaus was still a minor (b. 1361), the Emperor administered the margraviate for him.
Pisanello 024.jpg Sigismund 29 November 1378 1388 Younger brother of Wenceslaus; took control of Brandenburg on his brother's ascension as King of Germany and Bohemia. Gave up Brandenburg to his cousin Jobst as security for a substantial loan.
Jošt Lucemburský.jpg Jobst 1388 16 January 1411 Sigismund's first cousin, nephew of Charles IV. Elected as German King in 1410 in opposition to Sigismund, but died very shortly afterwards.
Pisanello 024.jpg Sigismund 16 January 1411 30 April 1415 Following Jobst's death, Sigismund regained control of Brandenburg and was elected undisputed King of Germany.

House of Hohenzollern[]

Partitions of Brandenburg under Hohenzollern rule[]

Electorate of Brandenburg
(1415–1440)
Margraviate of Brandenburg
(under Luxemburg rule)
      
       Margraviate of Brandenburg
(1417–1440)
Electorate of Brandenburg and Margraviate of Brandenburg-Brandenburg
(1440–1618)
Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach
(1440–1791)
Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
(1st creation)
(1440–1457)
      
       Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
(2nd creation)
(1486–1495)
      
       Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
(3rd creation)
(1515–1557)
       Margraviate of Brandenburg-Küstrin
(1535–1571)
      
      
       Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
(changed seat from Kulmbach to Bayreuth)
(1603–1769)
Electorate of Brandenburg, Duchy of Prussia and Margraviate of Brandenburg-Brandenburg
(1618–1701)
       Margraviate of Brandenburg-Schwedt
(1692–1788)
Electorate of Brandenburg and Kingdom of Prussia
(1701–1806)
      
      
      
Kingdom of Prussia
(1806–1918)

Table of rulers[]

(Note: here, the numbering of the princes is the same for all principalities, as all were titled Margraves of Brandenburg, despite the different parts of land and its particular numbering of the rulers. The princes are numbered by the year of their succession.)

Ruler Born Reign Death Ruling part Consort Notes
Frederick I
Friedrich I
GLAMonTour-Jagdschloss Grunewald-4801.jpg 21 September 1371 30 April 1415 – 20 September 1440 20 September 1440 Electorate of Brandenburg Elisabeth of Bavaria-Landshut
18 September 1401
ten children
Originally Burgrave of Nuremberg as Frederick VI. Appointed by King Sigismund in 1415 and enfeoffed in 1417.
1417–1426 Margraviate of Brandenburg In spite of being granted with the Electorate in 1415, the Margraviate was only given to him in 1417, which he abdicated to his son in 1426. In 1420 joined all his ancestors' Nurembergian lands with Brandenburg.
John VI the Alchemist John the Alchemist.jpg 1406 1426–1440 16 November 1464 Margraviate of Brandenburg Barbara of Saxe-Wittenberg
1416
four children
Received the Margraviate of Brandenburg from his father. However, after the latter's death, Brandenburg was redivided, and from then on retained Kulmbach. Abdicated 1457.
1440–1457 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
Frederick II Irontooth
Friedrich II Eisenzahn
1440 friedrich II.jpg 19 November 1413 20 September 1440 – 10 February 1471 10 February 1471 Margraviate of Brandenburg and Electorate of Brandenburg Catherine of Saxony
11 June 1441
Wittenberg
three children
Reunited definitely the Margraviate and the Electorate of Brandenburg; however, his father gave to his brothers the lands of Ansbach and Kulmbach.
Albert IV Achilles
Albrecht Achilles
AlbrechtAchilles.jpg 9 November 1414 1440–1457 11 March 1486 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Margaret of Baden
1446
four children

Anna of Saxony
12 November 1458
Ansbach
thirteen children
Received Ansbach after his father's death. In 1457 inherited Kulmbach from his brother John. On the death of his brother in 1471, became Elector.
1457–1486 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
10 February 1471 – 11 March 1486 Electorate of Brandenburg
John VII Cicero
Johann Cicero
JohannCicero1500.JPG 2 August 1455 11 March 1486 – 9 January 1499 9 January 1499 Electorate of Brandenburg Margaret of Thuringia
15 August 1476
Berlin
six children
Eldest son of Albert Achilles.
Sigismund 27 September 1468 1486–1495 26 February 1495 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach Unmarried Received Kulmbach after his father's death. Left no descendants, and Kulmbach returned to Ansbach.
Frederick III the Elder FriedrichII.Markgraf.JPG 8 May 1460 1486–1495 4 April 1536 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Sophia of Poland
14 February 1479
Frankfurt (Oder)
seventeen children
Received Ansbach after his father's death. In 1495 inherited the land of his brother. In 1515 the lands were separated again.
1495–1515 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
1515–1536 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach
Joachim I Nestor Lucas Cranach (I) - Joachim I Nestor - Jagdschloss Grunewald.jpg 21 February 1484 9 January 1499 – 11 July 1535 11 July 1535 Electorate of Brandenburg Elizabeth of Denmark
10 April 1502
Berlin
five children
Casimir I Hans Süß von Kulmbach 002.jpg 27 December 1481 1515–1527 21 September 1527 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach Susanna of Bavaria
25 August 1518
Augsburg
five children
Eldest son of Frederick III, received Kulmbach in his father's lifetime.
George of Brandenburg-Ansbach (regent) Cranach, Lucas (II) - Georg der Fromme - Jagdschloss Grunewald - 1564.jpg 4 March 1484 1527–1541 27 December 1543 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach Beatrice de Frangepan
21 January 1509
Gyula
no children

Hedwig of Münsterberg-Oels
9 January 1525
Oleśnica
two children

Emilie of Saxony
25 August 1533
four children
Heir of Frederick III and brother of Casimir, became regent on behalf of his nephew, in 1527.
Albert V Alcibiades the Warlike Andreas Riehl (I) - Bildnis des Markgrafen Albrecht Alcibiades von Brandenburg-Kulmbach.jpg 28 March 1522 1541–1557 8 January 1557 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach Unmarried Left no descendants, and Kulmbach returned to Ansbach.
Joachim II Hector JoachimII.vonBrandenburg.JPG 13 January 1505 11 July 1535 – 3 January 1571 3 January 1571 Electorate of Brandenburg Magdalena of Saxony
6 November 1524
Dresden
six children

Hedwig of Poland
29 August/1 September 1535
Kraków
six children
First Protestant Elector of Brandenburg.
John VIII JohannBrandenburgKüstrin.JPG 3 August 1513 1535–1571 13 January 1571 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Küstrin Catherine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
11 November 1537
Wolfenbüttel
two children
Son of Elector Joachim I. The Margraviate of Küstrin was created for him. After his death without male descendants, Küstrin was annexed again to the Electorate.
George I the Pious Cranach, Lucas (II) - Georg der Fromme - Jagdschloss Grunewald - 1564.jpg 4 March 1484 1536–1543 27 December 1543 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Beatrice de Frangepan
21 January 1509
Gyula
no children

Hedwig of Münsterberg-Oels
9 January 1525
Oleśnica
two children

Emilie of Saxony
25 August 1533
four children
Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg (regent) Joachim II of Brandenburg by Lucas Cranach the Younger.jpg 13 January 1505 1543 – c. 1548 3 January 1571 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Magdalena of Saxony
6 November 1524
Dresden
six children

Hedwig of Poland
29 August/1 September 1535
Kraków
six children
Regents on behalf of George I's son.
John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony (regent) Lucas Cranach d. Ä. 044.jpg 30 June 1503 1543–1547 3 March 1554 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Sibylle of Cleves
9 February 1527
Torgau
four children
Maurice, Elector of Saxony (regent) Moritz Sachsen.JPG 13 January 1505 1547 – c. 1548 3 January 1571 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Agnes of Hesse
9 January 1541
Marburg
two children
Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse (regent) Wartburg-Philipp.von.Hessen.JPG 13 November 1504 1543 – c. 1548 31 March 1567 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Christine of Saxony
11 December 1523
Kassel
ten children

Margarethe von der Saale
14 March 1540
Rotenburg
(bigamous and morganatic)
nine children
George Frederick I the Elder Georg Friedrich Hohenzoller st.jpg 5 April 1539 c. 1548 – 1557 25 April 1603 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Elisabeth of Brandenburg-Küstrin
26 December 1558
Küstrin
no children

Sophie of Brunswick-Lüneburg
3 May 1579
Dresden
tno children
In 1557 reunited Kulmbach to Ansbach once more. Left no descendants, and the Margraviates passed to sons of the Elector John George.
1557–1603 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
John George
Johann Georg
JohannGeorg1564.JPG 11 September 1525 3 January 1571 – 8 January 1598 8 January 1598 Electorate of Brandenburg Sophie of Legnica
15 February 1545
one child

Sabina of Brandenburg-Ansbach
12 February 1548
Ansbach
eleven children

Elisabeth of Anhalt-Zerbst
6 October 1577
Letzlingen
eleven children
Joachim Frederick
Joachim Friedrich
JoachimFriedrichBrandenburg1600.JPG 27 January 1546 8 January 1598 – 18 July 1608 18 July 1608 Electorate of Brandenburg Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin
8 January 1570
Küstrin
eleven children

Eleanor of Prussia
2 November 1603
Berlin
one child
Joachim Ernest Joachim Ernst 02 IV 13 2 0026 01 0369 a Seite 1 Bild 0001.jpg 22 June 1583 1603–1625 7 March 1625 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Sophie of Solms-Laubach
1612
Ansbach
three children
Son of Elector John George. Received Ansbach
Christian ChristianvonBrandenburg-Bayreuth01.jpg 30 January 1581 1603–1655 30 May 1655 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth Maria of Prussia
29 April 1604
Kulmbach
nine children
Son of Elector John George. Received Kulmbach. In 1604 moved the capital of the Margraviate to Bayreuth. From 1604 on, Brandenburg-Kulmbach changed its name to Brandenburg-Bayreuth.
John Sigismund
Johann Sigismund
Johann Sigismund Grunewald.jpg 8 November 1572 18 July 1608 – 3 November 1619 23 December 1619 Electorate of Brandenburg Anna of Prussia
30 October 1594
Königsberg
eight children
Duke of Prussia from 1618.
George William I
Georg Wilhelm
GeorgWilhelm.1635.Ausschnitt.JPG 13 November 1595 3 November 1619 – 1 December 1640 1 December 1640 Electorate of Brandenburg Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate
24 July 1616
Heidelberg
four children
His reign was marked by ineffective governance during the Thirty Years' War. Also Duke of Prussia.
Frederick IV 1 May 1616 1625–1634 6 September 1634 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Unmarried Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Albert VI Albrecht von Brandenburg-Ansbach (aka).jpg 18 September 1620 1634–1667 22 October 1667 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach
31 August 1642
Stuttgart
three children

Sophie Margarete of Oettingen-Oettingen
15 October 1651
Oettingen
five children

Christine of Baden-Durlach
6 August 1665
Durlach
no children
Frederick William I the Great Elector
Friedrich Wilhelm
Frans Luycx - Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, at three-quarter-length.jpg 16 February 1620 1 December 1640 – 29 April 1688 29 April 1688 Electorate of Brandenburg Louise Henriette of Nassau
7 December 1646
The Hague
six children

Sophia Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg
13 July 1668
Gröningen
seven children
Also Duke of Prussia.
Christian Ernest Christian Ernst Brandenburg-Bayreuth um 1685 001.JPG 6 August 1644 1655–1712 20 May 1712 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
29 October 1662
Dresden
no children


8 February 1671
Stuttgart
six children

Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg
30 March 1703
Potsdam
nine children
Son of Erdmann August, son of Christian I.
John Frederick Johann-Friedrich-Markgraf 001.jpg 18 October 1654 1667–1686 22 March 1686 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Johanna Elisabeth of Baden-Durlach
26 January 1673
Durlach
five children

Eleonore Erdmuthe of Saxe-Eisenach
4 November 1681
Eisenach
three children
Appointed regency (1686–1692)
Christian Albert 18 September 1675 1686–1692 16 October 1692) Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Unmarried Died as a minor; he was succeeded by his brother.
Frederick III
Friedrich I
Frederick I of Prussia.jpg 11 July 1657 29 April 1688 – 25 February 1713 25 February 1713 Electorate of Brandenburg Elisabeth Henriette of Hesse-Kassel
13 August 1679
Potsdam
one child

Sophia Charlotte of Hanover
8 October 1684
Herrenhausen
two children

Sophia Louise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
28 November 1708
Berlin
no children
Also Duke of Prussia. In 1701 became the first King in Prussia, as Frederick I.
George Frederick II GeorgFriedrBrandAnsb.jpg 3 May 1678 1692–1703 29 March 1703 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Unmarried Died without descendants; he was succeeded by his brother.
Philip William Philipp William margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt.jpg 19 May 1669 1692–1711 19 December 1711 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Schwedt Johanna Charlotte of Anhalt-Dessau
25 January 1699
Oranienbaum
six children
Son of Elector Frederick William I. The Margraviate of Schwedt was created for him.
William Frederick WilliamFrederickBrandenburgAnsbach.jpg 8 January 1686 1703–1723 7 January 1723 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Christiane Charlotte of Württemberg-Winnental
28 August 1709
Stuttgart
three children
Frederick William II Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt.jpg 17 November 1700 1711–1771 4 March 1771 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Schwedt Sophia Dorothea of Prussia
10 November 1734
Potsdam
five children
Left no male descendants. The title passed to his brother, Frederick Henry.
George William II George William, Margrave Bayreuth.jpg 26 November 1678 1712–1726 18 December 1726 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth Sophie of Saxe-Weissenfels
16 October 1699
Leipzig
five children
Frederick William III the Soldier-King
Friedrich Wilhelm I
Friedrich Wilhelm I 1713.jpg 14 August 1688 25 February 1713 – 31 May 1740 31 May 1740 Electorate of Brandenburg Sophia Dorothea of Hanover
28 November 1706
Berlin
fourteen children
Also King of Prussia as Frederick William I.
Christiane Charlotte of Württemberg-Winnental (regent) 1694 Christiane.jpg 20 August 1694 1723–1729 25 December 1729 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach William Frederick
28 August 1709
Stuttgart
three children
Charles William Frederick the Wild Margrave Charles William, margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach.jpg 12 May 1712 1729–1757 3 August 1757 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Friederike Luise of Prussia
30 May 1729
Berlin
two children
George Frederick Charles Georg Friedrich Carl.jpg 30 June 1688 1726–1735 17 May 1735 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth Princess Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck
17 April 1709
Reinfeld
five children
Frederick VI Friedrich von Brandenburg-Bayreuth.jpg 10 May 1711 1735–1763 26 February 1763 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth Wilhelmine of Prussia
17 April 1709
Berlin
one child

Sophie Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
20 September 1759
Brunswick
no children
Left no male descendants; the title passed to Frederick Christian, from a collateral Bayreuth line.
Frederick VII the Great
Friedrich II
Antoine Pesne - Friedrich der Große als Kronprinz (1739).jpg 24 January 1712 31 May 1740 – 17 August 1786 17 August 1786 Electorate of Brandenburg Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern
12 June 1733
Wolfenbüttel
no children
Also King of Prussia as Frederick II. King in Prussia to 1772; after annexations of Polish Prussian territory, "King of Prussia". Left no descendants. The title passed to his nephew, Frederick William II of Prussia.
Charles Alexander CharlesAlexanderBrandenburgAnsbach.jpg 24 February 1736 1757–1769 5 January 1806 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach Frederica Caroline of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
22 November 1754
Coburg
no children

Elizabeth Craven
13/30 October 1791
Lisbon
morganatic
no children
In 1769 reunited both Margraviates of Ansbach and Bayreuth.
Frederick Christian Frederick Christian of Brandenburg-Bayreuth.jpg 17 July 1708 1763–1769 20 January 1769 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth Victoria Charlotte of Anhalt-Zeitz-Hoym
26 April 1732
Schaumburg
two children
Great-grandson of Christian I and cousin of his predecessors. Left no male descendants; Bayreuth was reunited to Ansbach.
Charles Alexander CharlesAlexanderBrandenburgAnsbach.jpg 24 February 1736 1769–1791 5 January 1806 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth Frederica Caroline of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
22 November 1754
Coburg
no children

Elizabeth Craven
13/30 October 1791
Lisbon
morganatic
no children
In 1791 sold both Margraviates to the Kingdom of Prussia.
Frederick Henry Frederick Henry margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt.jpg 21 August 1709 1771–1788 12 December 1788 Margraviate of Brandenburg-Schwedt Leopoldine Marie of Anhalt-Dessau
13 February 1739
two children
Left no male descendants. Schwedt went back to the Electorate.
Frederick William IV
Friedrich Wilhelm II
Anton Graff - Frederick William II of Prussia.png 25 September 1744 17 August 1786 – 16 November 1797 16 November 1797 Electorate of Brandenburg Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
14 July 1765
Salzdahlum
(annulled 18 April 1769)
one child

Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt
14 July 1769
Berlin
eight children

Julie von Voss
7 April 1787
Berlin
(morganatic and bigamous)
no children

Sophie von Dönhoff
11 April 1790
Berlin
(morganatic and bigamous)
two children
Nephew of Frederick the Great, as son of Augustus William, his brother. Also King of Prussia as Frederick William II.
Frederick William V
Friedrich Wilhelm III
Friedrich Wilhelm III., König von Preußen (unbekannter Maler).jpg 3 August 1770 16 November 1797 – 6 August 1806 7 June 1840 Electorate of Brandenburg Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
24 December 1793
Berlin
ten children

Auguste von Harrach
9 November 1824
Berlin
(morganatic)
no children
King of Prussia (as Frederick William III) and last Elector of Brandenburg. The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved in 1806, after which Frederick William ruled as independent King of Prussia (including Brandenburg) to his death in 1840.

Titular Margraves of Brandenburg after 1806[]

This includes Kings of Prussia with the title of Margrave of Brandenburg (1806–1918) and pretenders to the throne of Prussia (1918–present)

Margrave Portrait Lifespan Reign start Reign end
Frederick William V
Friedrich Wilhelm III
Friedrich Wilhelm III., König von Preußen (unbekannter Maler).jpg 3 August 1770 – 7 June 1840 6 August 1806 7 June 1840
Frederick William VI
Friedrich Wilhelm IV
Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia (1847).jpg 15 October 1795 – 2 January 1861 7 June 1840 2 January 1861
William I
Wilhelm I
Kaiser Wilhelm I. .JPG 22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888 2 January 1861 9 March 1888
Frederick VIII
Friedrich III
Emperor Friedrich III.png 18 October 1831 – 15 June 1888 9 March 1888 15 June 1888
William II
Wilhelm II
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany - 1902.jpg 27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941 15 June 1888 Prussian monarchy abolished on 28 November 1918
4 June 1941
William III
Wilhelm III
William, German Crown Prince.jpg 6 May 1882 – 20 July 1951 4 June 1941 20 July 1951
Louis Ferdinand
Ludwig Ferdinand I
Louis ferdinand c1930.jpg 9 November 1907 – 26 September 1994 20 July 1951 26 September 1994
George Frederick III
Georg Friedrich I
Georg Friedrich Prinz von Preußen1, Pour le Merite 2014.JPG 10 June 1976 – present 26 September 1994 Incumbent

Family tree[]

The colours denote the Margraves and Electors of various partitions of Brandenburg:

  – Margraves and Electors of Brandenburg

  – Margraves of Brandenburg-Kulmbach

  – Margraves of Brandenburg-Stendal

  – Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach

  – Margraves of Brandenburg-Salzwedel

  – Margraves of Brandenburg-Bayreuth

  – Margraves of Brandenburg-Küstrin

  – Margraves of Brandenburg-Schwedt

Casimir I
of Poland

1016–1058
ASCANIAN
Świętosława
of Poland

c. 1047 – 1126
Władysław I
Herman of
Poland

c. 1044 – 1102
Otto of
Ballenstedt

c. 1070 – 1123
Eilika of
Saxony

c. 1080 – 1142
Vladislav I
of Bohemia

c. 1065 – 1125
Bołesław III
of Poland

1086–1138
Salomea
of Berg

c. 1100 – 1144
Albert I
the Bear

c. 1100 –
1157–1170
Sophie of
Winzenburg

1105–1160
Pribislav-
Henry of
the Hevelli

died 1150
Richeza
of Poland

116–1156
Vladislav II
of Bohemia

c. 1110 – 1174
Soběslav I
of Bohemia

c. 1075 – 1140
Mieszko III
the Old
of Poland

1126–1202
Judith
of Poland

c. 1332 –1171
Otto I
c. 1128–br>1170–1184
Ada of
Holland

c. 1163 – 1205
A Wendish
princess,
identity
unknown
Bernhard
of Anhalt

c. 1134 – 1212
Frederick I
of Bohemia

1142–1189
Sophia
of Minsk

c. 1140 – 1198
Přemysl I
Ottokar of
Bohemia

c. 1155 – 1230
Soběslav II
of Bohemia

c. 1128 – 1180
Elisabeth
of Poland

c. 1152 – 1209
Conrad II
of Lusatia

1159–1210
Otto II
the Generous

1147–1184–1205
Albert I
of Saxony

c. 1175 – 1260
Odon of
Poznań

c. 1149 – 1194
Ludmilla
of Bohemia

died 1240
Valdemar II
of Denmark

1170–1244
Vaclav I
of Bohemia

c. 1205 – 1253
Cunigunde
of Swabia

1202–1248

1185–1225
Albert II
c. 1177 –
1205–1220
Władysław
of Greater
Poland

c. 1190 – 1239
WITTELSBACH
Přemysl
Ottokar II
of Bohemia

1233–1278
Otto II/IV
of Bavaria

1206–1253
Christopher I
of Denmark

1219–1259
Beatrice
of Bohemia

1225–1290
Otto III
the Pious

1215–1220–1267
Rudolf I
of Germany

1218–1291

1217–1247
John I
c. 1213 –
1220–1266
Brigitte
Judith
of Saxony
died 1266
Przemysł I
of Greater
Poland

1220–1257
Matilda of
Brandenburg

c. 1210 – 1261
Albert III
c. 1250 –
1267–1300
Matilda
of Denmark
1250–1299
Otto V
the Tall

1246–1267–1298
Judith of
Henneberg-
Coburg
Otto VI
the Short

1255–1267–
1286–1303
Hedwig of
Habsburg

c. 1260 – 1303
Albert I
of Germany

1255–1308
Otto IV
of the Arrow

1238–1266–1308
John II
1237–1266–1281
Conrad
c. 1240 –
1266–1304
Constance
of Greater
Poland

1246–1281
Vaclav II
of Bohemia

1271–1305
Louis II of
Bavaria

1229–1294
John III
of Prague

1244–1267–1268
Beatrice of
Brandenburg

c. 1270 – 1316
Bolko I of
Jawor and
Świdnica

1252/6–1301
Herman
the Tall

1275–1299–1308
Anne of
Austria

1275–1327
Albert II of
Austria

1298–1358
Adelaide of
Brunswick-
Lüneburg
1244–1274
LUXEMBOURG
Elizabeth
of Bohemia

1292–1330
John the
Blind of
Bohemia

1296–1346
Bernard II of
Jawor and
Świdnica

c. 1291 – 1326
Margaret II
of Hainault

1311–1356
Louis IV,
Holy Roman
Emperor

Beatrice
of Silesia

1290–1320
Nicholas I
of Troppau

c. 1255 – 1318
John V
the Illustrious

1302–1308–1317
Agnes of
Brandenburg-
Salzwedel

1296–1334
Waldemar
the Great

1280–1317–1319
Stendal
1308–1317
Henry I
Lackland

1256–1317–1318
Stendal
1266–1317
Agnes of
Bavaria

1276–1345
Adelaide
of Hesse
1268–1317
WETTIN
Otto V
the Lazy

1346–1351–1379
Henry II of
Świdnica

1316–1345
Louis II
the Roman

1328–1351–1365
Stephen II
of Bavaria

1319–1375
Louis I
1315–1323–
1351–1361
Nicholas II
of Troppau

1288–1365
Matilda
of Bavaria

1313–1346
Frederick II
of Meissen

1310–1419
Elisabeth
of Henneberg-
Schleusingen
1318–1377
Henry II
the Child

1308–1319–1320
Frederick I
of Celje

c. 1300 – 1359
HOHENZOLLERN
Anna of
Świdnica

1339–1362
Charles IV,
Holy Roman
Emperor

1316–1378
Elizabeth
of Pomerania

c. 1347 – 1393
Albert III
of Austria

1349–1395
Frederick
of Bavaria

1339–1393
John Henry
of Moravia

1322–1375
Margaret
of Opava

1330–1363
Frederick III
of Thuringia

1332–1381
Elisabeth
of Meissen

1329–1375
Frederick V
of Nuremberg

1333–1398
False Waldemar
r. 1348–1350,
died 1356
Hermann I
of Celje

1333–1385
Wenzel
the Idle

1361–1373 –
1378–1419
Herman II
of Celje

c. 1360 – 1435
Albert IV
of Austria

1377–1404
Jobst
1354–1397–1411
Frederick I
of Saxony

1370–1428
Elisabeth
of Bavaria

1383–1442
Frederick I
1371–1415–1440
Elisabeth
of Nuremberg

1358–1411
Ulrich I
of Celje

1331–1368
Margaret of
Hohenzollern-
Neuburg

1367–1406
HESSE
Leopold III
of Austria

1351–1386
Sigismund I
1368–1378 –
1388–1411 –
1415–1437
Barbara
of Cilli

1392–1451
Catherine
of Saxony

1421–1476
Frederick II
Irontooth

1413–1440–1471
John VI
the Alchemist

1406–1440–1457
Brandenburg
1426–1440
Margaret of
the Palatinate

1376–1434
William
of Celje

1361–1392
Anna of
Saxony

1420–1462
Louis I
of Hesse

1402–1458
Ernest
the Iron
of Austria

1377–1424
Cymburgis
of Masovia

1394–1429
Elisabeth of
Luxembourg

1409–1442
Albert V
of Austria

1397–1439
Sophia of
Halshany

1405–1461
Władysław II
Jagiełło
of Poland

c. 1352 – 1434
Anna of
Cilli

c. 1381 – 1416
Albert III
of Bavaria

1401–1460
Frederick II
of Saxony

1412–1464
Catherine
of Lorraine

1431–1457
William III
of Meissen-
Thuringia

1425–1482
Frederick III,
Holy Roman
Emperor

1415–1493
Eleanor
of Portugal

1434–1467
Elizabeth
of Austria

1436–1505
Casimir IV
Andrew of
Poland

1427–1472
Frederick
Magnus I of
Solms-Laubach

1521–1561
Agnes
of Wied
Anna of
Saxony

1437–1512
Albert IV
Achilles

1414–1471–1486
Ansbach
1440–1486
Kulmbach
1457–1486
Margaret
of Baden

1431–1457
Ernest
of Saxony

1441–1486
Elisabeth
of Bavaria

1443–1484
Louis II of
Lower Hesse

1438–1471
Albert III
of Saxony

1443–1500
Cunigunde
of Austria

1465–1520
Albert IV
of Bavaria-
Munich

1447–1508
Sophie of
Poland

1464–1512
Frederick II
the Elder

1450–1486–1535
Kulmbach
1495–1515
Sigismund II
1468–1486–1495
Ursula of
Brandenburg

1488–1510
John VII
Cicero

1455–1486–1499
Margaret
of Saxony-
Thuringia

1449–1501
Christina
of Saxony

1461–1521
John of
Saxony

1468–1532
William II
of Hesse

1469–1509
Henry IV
of Saxony

1473–1541
George the
Bearded
of Saxony

1471–1539
Susanna
of Bavaria

1502–1543
Casimir
1481–1515–1527
Albert
of Prussia

1490–1568
Charles I of
Münsterburg-
Oels

1476–1536
Sophie of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach-
Kulmbach

1485–1537
Joachim I
Nestor

1484–1499–1535
Elizabeth
of Denmark

1485–1555
John Frederick
1503–1554
regent
1543–1547
Anna of
Brandenburg

1487–1514
Maurice
1521–1571
regent
1547–1548
Christine
of Saxony

1505–1549
Philip
1504–1567
regent
1543–1548
Albert V
Alcibiades

1522–1527 –
1553–1557
Emilie
of Saxony

1516–1591
George I
the Pious

1484–1536–1543
Kulmbach, regent
1527–1541
Hedwig of
Münsterberg-
Oels

1508–1531
Magdalena
of Saxony

1507–1534
Joachim II
Hector

1505–1535–1571
Ansbach, regent
1543–1548
Catherine of
Brunswick-
Wolfenbüttel

1518–1574
John VIII
1513–1535–1571
Hedwig
Jagiellon

1513–1573
Elisabeth
of Solms-
Laubach
John George I
of Solms-
Laubach
1547–1600
Margaret
of Schönburg-
Glauchau
Elisabeth
of Anhalt-
Zerbst

1563–1607
Elisabeth of
Brandenburg-
Küstrin

1540–1578
George
Frederick

the Elder

1539–1547–1603
Kulmbach
1557–1603
Sabina of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach

1529–1575
John George
1525–1571–1598
Sophie of
Legnica

1525–1546
Albert
Frederick
of Prussia

1553–1618
Marie of
Brandenburg-
Kulmbach

1519–1567
Hedwig of
Brandenburg

1540–1602
Christian III
of Denmark

1503–1559
Agnes
of Sayn-
Wittgenstein
Sophie
of Solms-
Laubach

1594–1651
Joachim Ernst
1583–1603–1625
Christian
1581–1603–1655
Marie of
Prussia

1579–1649
Barbara
of Hesse

1536–1597
Eleanor
of Prussia

1583–1607
Joachim
Frederick

1546–1598–1608
Catherine of
Brandenburg-
Küstrin

1549–1602
Louis VI of the
Palatinate

1539–1583
Maria of
Brunswick-
Lüneburg

1566–1626
John II of
Schleswig-
Holstein-
Sonderburg

1545–1622
Anna Sophia
of Prussia

1527–1591
Amaila
of Solms-
Braunfels

1602–1675
Anna Sybilla
of Solms-
Sonnenwalde
Frederick IV
1616–1625–1634
Sophie of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach

1614–1646
Erdmann
August of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth

1615–1651
Frederick IV
of the
Palatinate

1574–1610
Geogre Albert
of Brandenburg-
Bayreuth-
Kulmbach

1619–1666
Anna of
Prussia

1576–1625
John Sigismund
1572–1608–1619
Frederick I
of Württemberg

1557–1608
Magdalene of
Brandenburg

1582–1616
Sophie
Margarete of
Oettingen-
Oettingen
Albert VI
1620–1634–1667

1593–1627
Christian
Ernst

1644–1655–1712
Sophie
Louise of
Württemburg
1642–1702
Christian
Henry of
Brandenburg-
Bayreuth-
Kulmbach

1661–1708
George
William I

1595–1619–1640
Elizabeth
Charlotte
of the
Palatinate

1597–1660
Anne Eleonore
of Hesse-
Darmstadt

1601–1659
Sophie
Hedwig
of Saxe-
Lauenburg
1601–1660
Philip of
Schleswig-
Holstein-
Sonderburg-
Glücksburg

1584–1663
John VII of
Mecklenburg

1558–1592
Frederick VI
of Baden-
Durlach

1617–1677
George
William II

1678–1712–1726
Dorothea of
Schleswig-
Holstein-
Sonderburg-
Glücksburg

1636–1689
George
Frederick
Charles

1688–1726–1735
Henriette
Catherina
of Nassau

1637–1708
Louise
Henriette
of Nassau

1627–1667
Frederick
William I

the Great

1620–1640–1688
Dorothea of
Schleswig-
Holstein-
Sonderburg-Beck

1685–1761
Ernest
Augustus
of Hanover

1629–1698
John
Albert II of
Mecklenburg

1590–1636
Eleonore
Juliane of
Brandenburg-
Ansbach

1663–1724
Eleonore
Erdmuthe of
Saxe-Eisenach

1662–1696
John Frederick
1654–1667–1686

1651–1680
Frederick
Christian

1708–1763–1769
Frederick VI
1711–1735–1763
Johanna
Charlotte of
Anhalt-Dessau

1682–1750
Philip William
1669–1692–1711
Frederick V
1657–1688–1713
Sophia
Charlotte
of Hanover

1668–1705
Sophia
Dorothea of
Brunswick-
Lüneburg-Celle

1666–1726
Elisabeth
Sophie of
Mecklenburg

1613–1676
Christine
Charlotte

regent
1694–1723–1729
William
Frederick

1686–1703–1723
George
Frederick II

1678–1692–1703
Ferdinand
Albert I of
Brunswick-
Wolfenbüttel-
Bevern

1636–1687
Frederick
William II

1700–1711–1771
Frederick
Henry

1709–1771–1788
Frederick
William III

the Soldier

1688–1713–1740
Sophia
Dorothea
of Hanover

1687–1757
Charles
William
Frederick

the Wild

1712–1729–1757
Frederica
Louisa of
Prussia

1714–1784
Philippine
Charlotte
of Prussia

1716–1801
Charles I of
Brunswick-
Wolfenbüttel

1713–1780
Luise of
Brunswick-
Wolfenbüttel

1722–1790
Augustus
William of
Prussia

1722–1758
Schwedt
annexed by
the Electorate
Elisabeth
Christine of
Brunswick-
Wolfenbüttel

1715–1797
Frederick VII
the Great

1712–1740–1786
Alexander
1736–1757 –
1791–1806
Bayreuth
1769–1791
Elisabeth
Christine of
Brunswick-
Wolfenbüttel

1746–1840
Frederick
William IV

1744–1786–1797
Frederica
Louisa of
Hesse-Darmstadt

1751–1805
Ansbach and
Bayreuth sold
to Prussia
Frederick
William V

1770–1797 –
1806–1840
Brandenburg
definitively
annexed
by Prussia

Upper Presidents of Brandenburg[]

In 1815 Brandenburg was constituted as the Prussian Province of Brandenburg without a sovereign ruler, but with Upper Presidents appointed by the central Prussian government. The upper president carried out central prerogatives on the provincial level and supervised the implementation of central policy on the lower levels of administration.

  • 1815–1824: (1765–1828)
  • 1825–1840: (1773–1858)
  • 1840–1842: vacancy
  • 1842–1848: (1792–1871)
  • 1848–1849: (1804–1890), per pro
  • 1849–1850: vacancy
  • 1849–1850: (1803–1872), per pro
  • 1850–1858: Eduard Heinrich von Flottwell (1786–1865)
  • 1859–1862: Eduard Heinrich von Flottwell (1786–1865)
  • 1862: (1806–1884)
  • 1862–1879: (1813–1879)
  • 1879–1899: (1829–1899)
  • 1899–1905: Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg (1856–1921)
  • 1905–1909: August von Trott zu Solz (1855–1938)
  • 1909–1910: (1855–1931)
  • 1910–1914: (1852–1914)
  • 1914–1917: (1860–1930)
  • 1917–1919: Friedrich Wilhelm von Loebell (1855–1931)
  • 1919–1933: (1871–1963)
  • 1933–1936: Wilhelm Kube (1887–1943)
  • 1937–1945: Emil Stürtz (1892–1945), since 1936 per pro

Land Directors of Brandenburg[]

Since 1875, with the strengthening of self-rule within the provinces, the urban and rural counties elected representatives for the provincial diets (Provinziallandtage). These parliaments legislated within the competences transferred to the provinces. The provincial diet of Brandenburg elected a provincial executive body (government), the provincial committee (Provinzialausschuss), and a head of province, the land director (Landesdirektor).[1] Self-rule was abolished under the Nazi dictatorship.

  • 1876–1896: (1827–1903), German Conservative Party
  • 1896–1912: (1844–1913), German Conservative Party
  • 1912–1930: (1865–1945)
  • 1930–1933: (1885–1952)

Post-monarchy[]

Arms of Brandenburg.svg
Arms of East Prussia.svg

History of Brandenburg and Prussia
Northern March
965–983
Old Prussians
pre-13th century
Lutician federation
983 – 12th century
Margraviate of Brandenburg
1157–1618 (1806) (HRE)
(Bohemia 1373–1415)
Teutonic Order
1224–1525
(Polish fief 1466–1525)
Duchy of Prussia
1525–1618 (1701)
(Polish fief 1525–1657)
Royal (Polish) Prussia (Poland)
1454/1466 – 1772
Brandenburg-Prussia
1618–1701
Kingdom in Prussia
1701–1772
Kingdom of Prussia
1772–1918
Free State of Prussia (Germany)
1918–1947
Klaipėda Region
(Lithuania)
1920–1939 / 1945–present
Recovered Territories
(Poland)
1918/1945–present
Brandenburg
(Germany)
1947–1952 / 1990–present
Kaliningrad Oblast
(Russia)
1945–present

After the defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War, Brandenburg, which had previously been merely a province of Prussia, re-emerged as a German Land.

Prime Minister of Brandenburg, 1945–1952[]

After being abolished in a reorganization of the territories administered by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), the Land Brandenburg was restored in the prelude to German unification in 1990.

Ministers President of Brandenburg, 1990 to date[]

  • Manfred Stolpe (SPD), 1990–2002.
  • Matthias Platzeck (SPD), 2002–2013
  • Dietmar Woidke (SPD), since 2013.

Notes[]

  1. ^ In other Prussian provinces the same office used to be called Landeshauptmann (about in English: land captain). Cf. article: "Landesdirektor", in: Der Große Brockhaus: Handbuch des Wissens in zwanzig Bänden: 21 vols.; Leipzig: Brockhaus, 151928–1935; Bd. 11 (1932), p. 71.

See also[]

  • List of rulers of Prussia
Retrieved from ""