Category: House of Oldenburg

Category: House of Oldenburg

Categories: European Noble Houses | German Nobility | Danish Nobility


Main article: House of Oldenburg

House of Oldenburg

This house is part of the European Aristocrats Project on WikiTree.

The House of Oldenburg is a North German dynasty and one of Europe's most influential Royal Houses with branches that rule or have ruled in Denmark, Russia, Greece, Norway, Schleswig, Holstein, Oldenburg and Sweden. The current Queen of Denmark, the King of Norway and the ex-King of Greece as well as consorts of Spain, Greece and the United Kingdom belong to this House. It rose to prominence when Count Christian I of Oldenburg was elected King of Denmark in 1448, and of Norway in 1450. The house has occupied the Danish throne ever since. Marriages of medieval counts of Oldenburg had paved the way for their heirs to become kings of various Scandinavian kingdoms. Through marriage with a descendant of King Valdemar I of Sweden and of King Eric IV of Denmark, a claim to Sweden and Denmark was staked, since 1350.

At that time, its competitors were the successors of Margaret I of Denmark. In the 15th century, the Oldenburg heir of that claim married Hedwig of Schauenburg, a descendant of Euphemia of Sweden and Norway and also a descendant of Eric V of Denmark. Since descendants better situated in genealogical charts died out, their son Christian (the abovementioned) became the king of all three kingdoms of the whole Kalmar Union. The House of Mecklenburg was its chief competitor regarding the Northern thrones, and other aspirants included the Duke of Lauenburg. Different Oldenburgine branches have reigned in several countries. The House of Oldenburg was briefly poised to claim the thrones of England and Scotland through the marriage of the Stuart Princess Anne (later Queen) to Prince George of Denmark and Norway; however, following the early death of their only heir, Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, the line of succession passed to the House of Hanover.

House of Oldenburg
Founder: Christian
Current Head: Christoph, Prince of Schleswig-Holstein
Founding: 1448
Main line:
  • Kings of Denmark (1448–1863)
  • Kings of Norway (1450–1814)
  • Kings of Sweden (1457–64, 1497–01 and 1520–21)
  • Counts, Dukes and Grand Dukes of Oldenburg (1101-1918)
  • Dukes of Schleswig and Counts of Holstein (1460–1544)
  • Dukes of Schleswig and Holstein
    (1544–1721/1773; part of the Duchies)
  • Dukes of Schleswig (1721–1864; entire Duchy)
  • Dukes of Holstein (1773–1864; the entire Duchy)
Cadet branches

People or pages in House of Oldenburg

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This page was last modified 02:03, 26 July 2014. This page has been accessed 545 times.