List of the rulers of Lüneburg

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Coat of arms of the Principality of Lüneburg

The Principality of Lüneburg (German: Fürstentum Lüneburg), later also called Celle, was a territory within the Holy Roman Empire that existed from 1269 to 1705, whose land covered part of the modern-day German state of Lower Saxony. The territory was granted imperial immediacy which gave it the special status of reporting directly to the emperor. It emerged in 1269 following the division of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and its rulers continued to use the title of dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Lüneburg lost its independence in 1705 when it was inherited by the Principality of Calenberg (also known as Hanover), which however could keep a separate seat in the Reichstag for Lüneburg or "Brunswick-Celle". The following is a list of all the rulers of Lüneburg during its time as an independent principality.

Rulers of the Principality of Lüneburg[]

Old House of Lüneburg[]

Portrait Name Rule Remarks
John (1242-1277) 1269 - 1277 Following the division of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, John was the first ruler of the new Principality of Lüneburg.
Bomann-Museum Skulptur Otto II. der Strenge, Herzog zu Braunschweig und Lüneburg, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg 1277-1330, mit von der Schmalstieg-GmbH restauriertem Schloss Celle.jpg Otto II the Strict (1266-1330) 1277 - 1330 Otto II of Brunswick-Lüneburg after Otto the Child (Otto I of Brunswick-Lüneburg)
Otto III (1296-1352) 1330 - 1352
Wilhelmvonbraunschweiglueneburg(gest.1369).jpg William († 1369) 1330 - 1369 William II of Brunswick-Lüneburg. His death precipitated the Lüneburg War of Succession in 1370.

Old House of Brunswick[]

Portrait Name Rule Remarks
Magnustorquatusbraunschweiglueneburg.jpg Magnus Torquatus (1328-1373) 1369 - 1373 Magnus II. "Magnus with the Necklace." 2nd cousin, once removed, of William II

Dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg[]

Further information: House of Ascania
Portrait Name Rule Remarks
Albrechtvonsachsenwittenberg.jpg Albert of Saxe-Wittenberg (d 1385) 1370 - 1385 Albert moved the residence to Celle after the slighting of Lüneburg Castle.
WenzelISachsenWittenberg.jpg Wenceslas of Saxe-Wittenberg (d 1388) 1370 - 1388

Middle House of Brunswick[]

Portrait Name Rule Remarks
Heinrichvonbraunschweiglueneburg(gest.1416).jpg Henry I the Mild (d 1416) 1388 - 1416
Wilhelmdersiegreiche.jpg William the Victorious (1392-1482) 1416 - 1428
Henry II the Peaceful (1411-1473) 1416 - 1428

Middle House of Lüneburg[]

Portrait Name Rule Remarks
BernhardIvonbraunschweig-lüneburg.jpg Bernard I (d 1434) 1388 - 1409 and
1428 - 1434
Ottovonbraunschweig-lueneburg(gest.1446).jpg Otto I the Lame (d 1446) 1434 - 1446 Otto IV of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Also "Otto Crookleg".
Friedrichderfromme.jpg Frederick the Pious (d 1478) 1434 - 1457 and
1472 - 1478 		Frederick II
41 Bernhard II.jpg Bernard II (1432-1464) 1457 - 1464 Also Prince-Bishop of Hildesheim as Bernard III (1452–1458)
OttoIIBraunschwLüneburg.JPG Otto II the Magnanimous (1439-1471) 1457 - 1471 Otto V of Brunswick-Lüneburg
HeinrichBraunschweigLüneburg.JPG Henry I of Lüneburg (1468-1532) 1486 - 1520
Herzog Otto I. von Braunschweig und Lüneburg.jpg Otto I of Harburg (1495-1549) 1520 - 1527 Otto VI of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Herzog Franz Gifhorn Zeichnung.jpg Francis (1508-1549) 1536 - 1539
Lucas Cranach d.Ä. (Werkst.) - Ernst der Bekenner, Herzog von Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Celle.jpg Ernest the Confessor (1497-1546) 1520 - 1546 Ernest I. Introduced the Reformation into the Principality of Lüneburg in 1527. He was also the progenitor of the Calenberg-Celle and Wolfenbüttel lines
Franzottobraunschweiglueneburg.jpg Francis Otto (1530-1559) 1555 - 1559
Henry of Dannenberg (1533-1598) 1559 - 1569 Henry III
William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.jpg William the Younger (1535-1592) 1559 - 1592
Herzog Ernst II Braunschweig-Lueneburg.JPG Ernest II (1564-1611) 1592 - 1611
Christianderälterevonbraunschweig-lüneburg.jpg Christian (1566-1633) 1611 - 1633
Augustderälterevonbraunschweiglüneburger(gest.1636).jpg Augustus the Elder (1568-1636) 1633 - 1636 Augustus
Friedrich IV. Braunschweig-Lüneburg (1574-1648).jpg Frederick (1571-1648) 1636 - 1648

New House of Lüneburg[]

Portrait Name Ruled from To Remarks
ChristianLudwig(1622-1665).jpg Christian Louis
Christian Ludwig 		10 December 1648 15 March 1665 Nephew of the previous duke; he was already Duke of Brunswick-Calenberg, which he resigned to his next brother to take up the rule of this duchy.
JohannFriedrich(1625-1679).jpg John Frederick (1625-1679)
Johann Friedrich 		1665
Georg-Wilhelm.jpg George William
Georg Wilhelm 		15 March 1665 28 August 1705 Brother of Christian Louis, previously ruler of Brunswick-Calenberg
In 1705 the Principality of Lüneburg was united with the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg through inheritance.

See also[]

Sources[]

  • Geckler, Christa (1986). Die Celler Herzöge: Leben und Wirken 1371–1705. Celle: Georg Ströher. ISBN 3-921744-05-8. OCLC 255990175.
  • William Havemann: Geschichte the Lande Brunswick und Lüneburg, 3 Bde., Nachdruck. Hirschheydt, Hannover 1974/75, ISBN 3-7777-0843-7 (Originalausgabe: Verlag the Dietrich'schen Buchhandlung, Göttingen 1853–1857)
  • Hans Patze (Begr.): Geschichte Niedersachsen, 7 Bde. Hahnsche Buchhandlung, Hannover 1977- (Veröffentlichungen the Historischen Kommission für Niedersachsen und Bremen, 36)
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