NETHERLANDS MONARCHY - MECKLENBURG SYNOPSIS - LOWLANDS DESCENTS

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NETHERLANDS MONARCHY - MECKLENBURG SYNOPSIS

NETHERLANDS MONARCHY - MECKLENBURG SYNOPSIS

Mecklenburg Arms

           The Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was a duchy in northern Germany created in 1701, when Frederick William and Adolphus Frederick II divided the Duchy of Mecklenburg between Schwerin and Strelitz. Ruled by the successors of the Nikloting House of Mecklenburg, Mecklenburg-Schwerin remained a state of the Holy Roman Empire along the Baltic Sea littoral between Holstein-Glückstadt and Duchy of Pomerania.

                    The dynasty's progenitor, Niklot (1090–1160), was a chief of the Slavic Obotrite tribal federation, who fought against the advancing Saxons and was finally defeated in 1160 by Henry the Lion in the course of the Wendish Crusade. Niklot's son, Pribislav, submitted himself to Henry, and in 1167 came into his paternal inheritance as the first Prince of Mecklenburg.

       After several divisions among Pribislav's descendants, Henry II of Mecklenburg (1266–1329) until 1312 acquired the lordships of Stargard and Rostock, and bequeathed the reunified Mecklenburg lands – except the County of Schwerin and Werle – to his sons, Albert II and John. After they both had received the ducal title, the former lordship of Stargard was recreated as the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Stargard for John in 1352. Albert II retained the larger western part of Mecklenburg, and after he acquired the former County of Schwerin in 1358, he made Schwerin his residence.

       In 1363 Albert's son, Duke Albert III, campaigned in Sweden, where he was crowned king one year later. In 1436, William, the last Lord of Werle, died without a male heir. Because William's son-in-law, Ulric II of Mecklenburg-Stargard, had no issue, his line became extinct upon Ulric's death in 1471. All possessions fell back to Duke Henry IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who was then the sole ruler over all of Mecklenburg.

         In 1520 Henry's grandsons, Henry V and Albert VII, again divided the duchy, creating the subdivision of Mecklenburg-Güstrow, which Duke Adolf Frederick I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin inherited in 1610. In a second partition of 1621, he granted Güstrow to his brother, John Albert II. Both were deposed in 1628 by Albrecht von Wallenstein, as they had supported Christian IV of Denmark in the Thirty Years' War. Nevertheless, the Swedish Empire forced their restoration three years later. When John Albert II's son, Duke Gustav Adolph, died without male heirs in 1695, Mecklenburg was reunited once more under Frederick William.

        In June 1692, when Christian Louis I died in exile and without sons, a dispute arose about the succession to his duchy between his brother, Adolphus Frederick II, and his nephew, Frederick William. The emperor and the rulers of Kingdom of Sweden and of Electorate of Brandenburg took part in this struggle, which was intensified three years later, when on the death of Gustav Adolph, the family ruling over Mecklenburg-Güstrow became extinct. In 1701, with the endorsement of the Imperial state of the Lower Saxon Circle, the Treaty of Hamburg (1701) was signed and the final division of the country was made. Mecklenburg was divided between the two claimants. The Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was given to Frederick William, and the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, roughly a recreation of the medieval Stargard lordship, to Adolphus Frederick II. At the same time, the principle of primogeniture was reasserted, and the right of summoning the joint Landtag was reserved to the ruler of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Continued conflicts and partitions weakened the rule of the dukes and affirmed the reputation of Mecklenburg as one of the most backward territories of the Empire.

         Mecklenburg-Schwerin began its existence during a series of constitutional struggles between the duke and the nobles. The heavy debt incurred by Karl Leopold, who had joined Russian Empire in a war against Kingdom of Sweden, brought matters to a crisis; Charles VI interfered, and in 1728 the imperial court of justice declared the duke incapable of governing. His brother, Christian Ludwig II, was appointed administrator of the duchy. Under this prince, who became ruler de jure in 1747, the Convention of Rostock, by which a new constitution was framed for the duchy, was signed in April 1755. By this instrument, all power was in the hands of the duke, the nobles, and the upper classes generally; the lower classes were entirely unrepresented. During the Seven Years' War, Frederick II took up a hostile attitude towards Frederick the Great, and in consequence Mecklenburg-Schwerin was occupied by the Kingdom of Prussia. In other ways his rule was beneficial to the country. In the early years of the French Revolutionary Wars, Frederick Francis I remained neutral, and in 1803 he regained Wismar from Kingdom of Sweden. In 1806 the land was overrun by the First French Empire, and in 1808 he joined the Confederation of the Rhine. He was the first member of the confederation to abandon Napoleon, to whose armies he had sent a contingent, and in 1813–1814 he fought against France.

          With the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Frederick Francis I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin received the title of Grand Duke. After the fall of the monarchies in 1918 resulting from World War I, the Grand Duchy became the Free State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. On 1 January 1934 it was united with the neighbouring Free State of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (both today part of the Bundesland Mecklenburg-Vorpommern).

 
 

Rulers of Mecklenburg - House of Mecklenburg

 Nicolaus II av Werle (1270 - 1316)
 

Princes (Kings) of the Obotrites

  • Niklot (1090–August 1160) 1131–1160 [Prince of the Obotrites]
  • Pribislav (unknown–30 December 1178) 1167–1178 [Son of Niklot, Prince of the Obotrites, Lord of Mecklenburg]
  • Wertislav (unknown)–1164) [Son of Niklot), Prince of the Obotrites]

Lords in the Land of the Obotrites

Name/Geni link (lived) Reign [Notes]

  • Heinrich Borwin I (d. 28 January 1227) 1178–1227 [Son of Pribislav]
  • Nicholas I (before 1164—25 May 1200) 1183–1200 [Son of Wertislav, Lord of Rostock]
  • Heinrich Borwin II (1170–5 December 1226) 1219–1226 [Son of Heinrich Borwin I, Lord of Rostock]
  • Nicholas II (before 1180–28 September 1225) 1283–1316 [Son of Heinrich Borwin I, Lord of Mecklenburg]

Johann I Line (Mecklenburg)

  • Johann I, "the Theologian" (ca. 1211–1 August 1264) 1227–1264 [Son of Heinrich Borwin II, Lord of Mecklenburg]
  • Heinrich I, the Pilgrim (ca. 1230–2 January 1302) 1264-1271, 1298-1302 [Son of Johann I, Lord of Mecklenburg]
  • Albert I (after 1230–15 May or 17 May 1265) 1264–1265 [Brother of Heinrich I, Lord of Mecklenburg]
  • Nicholas III (after 1230–8 June 1289 or 1290) 1264–1289 [Brother of Heinrich I, Lord of Mecklenburg, regent]
  • Johann II (ca. 1250–12 October 1299) 1264–1299 [Brother of Heinrich I, Lord of Mecklenburg at Gadebusch, regent]
  • Johann III (after 1266–27 May 1289) 1287–1289 [Son of Heinrich I, Lord of Mecklenburg]
  • Heinrich II "the Lion" (1266 (after April 14)–21 January 1329) 1287–1329 [Son of Heinrich I, Lord of Mecklenburg, Stargard and Rostock]
  • Albrecht II (ca. 1318–18 February 1379) 1329–1348 [Son of Heinrich II, Lord of Mecklenburg, from 1348 Duke of Mecklenburg]

Nicholas I Line(Werle)

Nicholas I (ca. 1210–14 May 1277) 1227–1277 [Son of Heinrich Borwin II, Lord of Werle]

  • Heinrich I (ca. 1234–8 October 1291) 1277–1291 [Son of Nicholas I, Lord of Werle-Gustrow]
  • John(Johann) I (ca. 1245–15 October 1283) 1277–1283 [Son of Nicholas I, Lord of Werle-Parchim]
  • Bernhard I (ca. 1245– ca. 1286) 1277–1281 [Son of Nicholas I, Lord of Werle]
  • Nicholas II (before 1283–18 February 1316) 1283–1316 [Son of Johann I, Lord of Werle]
  • Johann II "the Bald" (after 1250–27 August 1337) 1316–1337 [Son of Johann I, Lord of Werle-Parchim]
  • Johann III "van Ruoden" (before 1300–1352)1316–1350 [Son of Nicholas II, Lord of Werle-Goldberg]
  • Nicholas III "Staveleke" (after 1311–1360/1361) 1337–1360 [Son of Johann II, Lord of Werle-Güstrow]
  • Bernhard II (ca. 1320–1382) 1337–1382[Son of Johann II, Lord of Werle-Waren-Güstrow]
  • Nicholas IV "Poogenoge" (after 1311–1360/1361) 1350–1354 [Son of Johann III, Lord of Werle-Goldberg]
  • [http://www.geni.com/people/Helen-Weiss/1394) 1360–1393 [Son of Nicholas III, Lord of Werle-Güstrow]
  • Johann V (after 1338–1378) 1365–1378 [Son of Nicholas III, Lord of Werle-Güstrow, co-regent]
  • Johann VI (after 1341–after 16 October 1385) 1382–1385(1395) [Son of Bernhard II, Lord of Werle-Waren]
  • Johann IV (before 1350–1374) 1354–1374 [Son of Nicholas IV), Lord of Werle-Goldberg]
  • Balthasar (ca. 1375–5 April 1421) 1393–1421 [Son of Lorenz, Lord of Werle-Güstrow, Prince of the Wends]
  • Johann VII ca. 1375–between 14 August and 17 December 1414) [1395–1414 (Son of Lorenz), Lord of Werle-Güstrow, co-regent]
  • William (before 1398–8 September 1436) 1393–1436 [Son of Lorenz, Lord of Werle-Güstrow, Prince of the Wends]
  • Nicholas V (before 1385–after 21 January 1408) 1385(1395)–1408 [Son of Johann VI, Lord of Werle-Waren]
  • Christoph (before 1385–25 August 1425) 1385(1395)–1425 [Son of Johann VI, Lord of Werle-Waren, Prince of the Wends]

Werle fell to the Duke of Mecklenburg in 1436.

Heinrich Borwin III Line(Rostock)

  • Borwin III (ca. 1220–1 August 1278) 1227–1277 [Son of Heinrich Borwin II), Lord of Rostock]
  • Waldemar (before 1262–9 November 1282) 1277–1282 [Son of Heinrich Borwin III, Lord of Rostock]
  • Nicholas "the Child" (before 1262–25 November 1314) 1282–1314 [Son of Waldemar, Lord of Rostock]

Rostock fell to the Prince of Mecklenburg in 1323.

Pribislaw I Line(Parchim-Richenberg)

  • Pribislaw I (1224–after 12 February 1275) 1227–1256 [Son of Heinrich Borwin II, Lord of *Parchim]

Pribislav was deprived of his power in 1256 and the country divided among his brothers.

Dukes of Mecklenburg

Mecklenburg-Schwerin Lines (I) and (II)

  • Albert(Albrecht) II) "the Great" (1318–18 February 1379) 1329–1379 [Son of Henry II, Lord of Mecklenburg, from 1348 Duke]
  • Henry(Heinrich) III (ca. 1337–24 April 1383) 1379–1383 [Son of Albert II]
  • Magnus I (ca. 1345–1 September 1384) 1379–1384 [Son of Albert II]
  • Albert(Albrecht) III (ca. 1338–March 1412) 1384–1412 Duke of Mecklenburg, King of Sweden (1364–1389), [Son of Albert II]
  • Albert(Albrecht) IV (before 1363–between 24 and 31 December 1388) 1383–1388 [Son of Henry III], co-regent
  • Erik (after 1359–26 July 1397) to 1397 [Son of Albert III], co-regent
  • Albert V (1397–between 1 June and 6 December 1423) 1412–1423 [Son of Albert III]
  • John(Johann) IV (before 1370–16. October 1422) 1384–1422 [Son of Magnus I, co-regent]
  • Henry IV "the Thick" (before 1417–9 March 1477) 1422–1477 [Son of John IV], united the Werle and Stargard Mecklenburg Lines under one ruler upon their extinction
  • John(Johann) V (1418–1442) 1436–1442 [Son of John IV], co-regent
  • John(Johann) VI (1439–1474) 1439–1474 [Son of Henry IV], co-regent
  • Albert(Albrecht) VI (1438–before 27 April 1483) 1477–1483 [Son of Henry IV]
  • Magnus II (1441–20 November 1503) 1477–1503 [Son of Henry IV]
  • Balthasar (1451–16 March 1507 in Wismar) 1477–1507 [Son of Henry(Heinrich) IV], co-regent, Bishop of Schwerin in 1479-1482
  • Henry(Heinrich V "the Peaceful"] (3 May 1479–6 February 1552) 1503–1552 [Son of Magnus II]
  • Erik(Erich) II (3 September 1483–22 December 1508) 1503–1508 [Son of Magnus II], co-regent
  • Philip (d. 1557) 1552–1557 [Son of Henry(Heinrich) V], co-regent
  • John Albrecht(Johan Albert) I (23 December 1525–12 February 1576) 1547–1576 [Son of Albert VII]
  • John(Johan) VII (7 March 1558 in Güstrow–22 March 1592 in Stargard) 1576–1592 [Son of John Albrecht I]
  • Adolf Frederick I (15 December 1588–27 February 1658) 1592–1628, 1631–1658 [Son of John VII]
  • Albrecht von Wallenstein 1628–1631 Ruled after Adolf Frederick I was deposed by Emperor Ferdinand II
  • Christian I Ludwig (1 December 1623—between 11 June and 21 June 1692) 1658–1692 [Son of Adolf Friedrich I]

Mecklenburg-Stargard Line

  • John (Johann) IV/I (1326–between 9 August 1392 and 9 February 1393) 1329–1392 [Son of Heinrich II, Lord of Mecklenburg, from 1348 Duke]
  • John (Johann) II (before 1370–between 6 July and 9 October 1416) 1392–1416 [Son of Johann , Duke of Mecklenburg [-Stargard-Sternberg]
  • Ulrich I (before 1382–8 April 1417) 1392–1417 [Son of Johann I, Duke of Mecklenburg -Stargard-Neubrandenburg]
  • Albrecht I (before 1377–between 11 February and 15 July 1397) 1392–1397 [Son of Johann I, co-regent]
  • Johann III (1389–after 11 November 1438) 1416–1438 [Son of Johann II], Duke of Mecklenburg [-Stargard-Sternberg]
  • Albrecht II (before 1400–between 11 February 1421 and 4 October 1423)1417–1423 [Son of Ulrich I, co-regent, Duke of Mecklenburg-Stargard-Neubrandenburg]
  • Heinrich "der Gaunt" (before 1412–between 26 May and 20 August 1466) 1417–1466 [Son of Ulrich I]
  • Ulrich II (before 1428–13 July 1471) 1466–1471 [Son of Heinrich]

Mecklenburg-Güstrow Line

  • Albert VII, "the Handsome" (25 July 1486–7 January 1547) 1503–1547 [Son of Magnus II]
  • John Albert I (23 December 1525 – 12 February 1576) '1547-1556 [Son of Albert VII]
  • Ulrich III (5 March 1527–14 March 1603) 1555–1603 [Son of Albert VII, initiator of the German Imperial Diet]
  • Johann Albrecht II (5 May 1590–23 April 1636) 1592–1628, 1631–1636 [Son of Johann VII]
  • Albrecht von Wallenstein (24 September 1583–25 February 1634) 1628–1631 [Ruled after Adolf Frederick I was deposed by Emperor Ferdinand II]
  • Gustav Adolf (26 February 1633–6 October 1695) 1636–1695 [Son of Johann Albrecht II]

Dukes of Mecklenburg / Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg

Mecklenburg-Schwerin Line (III)

  • Frederick William (28 March 1675–31 July 1713) 1692–1713 [Nephew of Christian Ludwig I]
  • Karl Leopold (26 November 1678–28 November 1747) 1713–1728 [Brother of Frederick William], named in the Reichsexekution of 1717, was deposed in 1728 by the Aulic Council in Vienna in favour of his brother Christian Ludwig II.
  • Christian II Ludwig (15 November 1683–30 May 1756) 1728–1756 [Brother of Karl Leopold]
  • Frederick(Friedrich "the Pious" (9 November 1717–24 April 1785) 1756–1785 [Son of Christian Ludwig II]
  • Frederick Francis I (10 December 1756–1 February 1837) 1785–1837 from 1815 Grand Duke – [Son of Archduke Friedrich Ludwig, Nephew of Friedrich II]
  • Paul Frederick(Paul Friedrich) (15 September 1800–7 March 1842) 1837–1842 [Nephew of Frederick Francis I]
  • Frederick Francis II(Friedrich Franz II) (28 February 1823–15 April 1883) 1842–1883 [Son of Paul Frederick]
  • Frederick Francis III(Friedrich Franz III) (19 March 1851–10 April 1897) 1883–1897 [Son of Frederick Francis II]
  • [ John Albert(Johann Albrecht)] (8 December 1857–16 February 1920) 1897–1901 [Brother of Grand Duke Frederick Francis III], from 11 April 1897 until 9 April 1901 [regent as Frederick Francis IV was underage.]
  • [ Frederick Francis IV] 9 April 1882–17 November 1945 1897–1918 [Son of Grand Duke Frederick Francis III, from 1918 Administrator of the District of Mecklenburg]

Mecklenburg-Strelitz line

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