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The High Nobility and the Imperial Constitution

The Last years of the Holy Roman Empire

The Napoleonic Germany


Copyright © V. Rozn 1999
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Last updated: Dec 3, 2008



Reuss


The House of Reuss of Plauen descended from the ancient immediate family that ruled in Weida in the 12th-13th centuries [10: Neue Folge; Band I.3; t. 357-370].

Heinrich III (+ca 1224) and Heinrich IV (+1249/50), the sons of Heinrich "the Rich" (+before 1209), Imperial advocate (Vogt) of Weida, founded two branches of the House.
Heinrich III founded of the branch that ruled in Weida, and then in Wildenfels. The branch became extinct in the male line in 1531.

Heinrich IV (+1249/50), another son of Heinrich "the Rich,” became Land Master of the Teutonic Order. Heinrich IV ruled in Gera.
Heinrich (+after 1303), Lord of Plauen, and Heinrich (+1269/74), Lord of Gera, the sons of Heinrich IV (+1249/50), founded new branches. The branch founded by Heinrich (+1269/74) ruled in Gera, Burgk, Lobenstein, Schleiz, etc. In 1550, the branch became extinct in the male line, and its possessions passed to the Plauen branch of the House.

Heinrich "the Bohemian" (+1302) and Heinrich "the Russian (Ruthenus, Ruze)" (+1292/95), the sons of Heinrich (+after 1303), Lord of Plauen, founded two new branches (N.2).

Heinrich "the Russian (Ruthenus, Ruze)" (+1292/95), was the founder of the branch that became known as the House of Reuss. This branch ruled in Greiz, Kranichfeld, etc., and, in 1571, inherited Gera, Burgk, Lobenstein, Schleiz, etc. after the extinction of the Plauen branch.

Heinrich XV "the Elder" (+ Mar 1572), Lord of Untergreiz, and Heinrich XVII "the Younger" (+Apr 1572), Lord of Gera, the sons of Heinrich XIV Reuss (+1535), Lord of Greiz & Kranichfeld, founded, respectively, the Elder and Younger Lines of the Reuss House.


Notes:
1. The male members of both branches of the House of Reuss all bear the name of Heinrich, the individuals being distinguished by numbers. In the Elder Line, according to an arrangement made in 1701, the enumeration continues until the number one hundred is reached when it begins again. In the Younger Line, the first male family member born in a new century is numbered First, and the numbers follow on until the end of the century when they begin again.
2. Heinrich "the Bohemian (Bohemus)" (+1302) founded the branch that ruled in Plauen.
In 1426, Heinrich (+1446), Lord of Plauen acquired the immediate Burgraviate of Misnia / Meissen and the County of Hartenstein.
In 1548, Heinrich IV (+1554), Lord of Plauen and Burgrave of Misnia, was elevated to the rank of Imperial Prince with an individual voice in the Council of Princes of the Imperial Diet.
In 1550, Heinrich IV (+1554) inherited Gera, Schleiz, Burgk, and Saalburg after the extinction of the branch of Gera.
In 1572, the branch of Plauen became extinct with the death of Heinrich VI, a son of Heinrich IV.





1. The Elder Line / Greiz -1918]; +1927


Heinrich "the Elder" (+ Mar 1572), Lord of Untergreiz & Kranichfeld, founded the Elder Line of the House of Reuss.

In 1673, the Roman Emperor granted to all members of the Elder Line of the House of Reuss the title of Count of Plauen [8: Band 4; p.164].

In 1778, the Roman Emperor granted to Heinrich XI (+1800) of the Elder Line the title of Prince [8: Band 4; p.164].

In 1803, by the Final Recess of the Imperial Deputation, the Prince Reuss of the Elder Line received an individual voice in the Council of Princes of the Imperial Diet.

In Aug 1806, with the abolition of the Holy Roman Empire, the Prince Reuss of the Elder Line became a sovereign ruler.

In 1807, the Prince Reuss of the Elder Line joined the Confederation of the Rhine.

In 1815, the Prince Reuss of the Elder Line joined the German Confederation.

In 1867, the Prince Reuss of the Elder Line joined the North German Confederation.

In 1871, the Prince Reuss of the Elder Line joined the German Empire.

In the course of the November Revolution of 1918, the Prince Reuss of the Elder Line was deposed.

In 1927, with the death of Heinrich XXIV, the Elder Line of the House of Reuss became extinct.




List of the Rulers

Heinrich XI (1722-1800) [1723-1800]
Heinrich XIII (1747-1817) [1800-1817]
Heinrich XIX (1790-1836) [1817-1836]
Heinrich XX (1794-1859) [1836-1859]
Heinrich XXII (1846-1902) [1859-1902]
Heinrich XXIV (1878-1927) [1902-1918]




Titles

1778-1918

Prince Reuss;
Count & Lord of Plauen;
Lord of Greiz, Kranichfeld, Gera, Schleiz, Lobenstein;




Voices in the Imperial Circle assemblies in 1789 [6: p.709] [2: p.14]

The Upper Saxony:
- % Reuss;




Voices in the Imperial Assembly in 1789 [6: p.709]

Curial voices in the Council of Princes:
= the Counts of Wetterau =
- % Reuss;




Territorial Possessions in 1789 [6: p.709]

The Imperial Circle of the Upper Saxony:
- Greiz;
- Burgk / Burg;




Voices in the Imperial Assembly in 1803
(Changes by the Final Recess of the Imperial Deputation)

Individual voices in the Council of Princes:
- Reuss-Greiz;








2. The Younger Line -1918]

Heinrich XVII "the Younder" (+Apr 1572), Lord of Gera & Kranichfeld, founded the Younger Line of the House of Reuss that ruled in Gera, Kranichfeld, Lobenstein, Schleiz, Ebersdorf, etc.

Heinrich II (+1670), Heinrich III (+1640) and Heinrich X (+1671), the sons of Heinrich "the Posthumus" (+1635), founded, respectively, the new Gera, Saalburg (Schleiz) and Lobenstein branches of the Younger Reuss.

In 1673, the Roman Emperor granted to all members of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss the title of Count of Plauen [8: Band 4; p.164].




2.1. Gera +1802

Heinrich II (+1670), Lord of Gera, the eldest son of Heinrich "the Posthumus" (+1635), founded the new Gera branch of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss that ruled in Gera.

In 1802, with the death of Heinrich XXX, the Gera branch of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss became extinct.




List of the Rulers

Heinrich XXX (1727-1802) [1748-1802]




Voices in the Imperial Circle assemblies in 1789 [6: p.709] [2: p.14]

The Upper Saxony:
- % Reuss;




Voices in the Imperial Assembly in 1789 [6: p.709]

Curial voices in the Council of Princes:
= the Counts of Wetterau =
- % Reuss;




Territorial Possessions in 1789 [6: p.709]

The Imperial Circle of the Upper Saxony:
- Gera;








2.2. Schleiz (before 1666 Saalburg)

Heinrich III (+1640), the second son of Heinrich "the Posthumus" (+1635), founded the Saalburg (later Schleiz) branch of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss.

In 1802, Heinrich XLII (+1818) inherited possessions of the branch of Gera.

In Apr 1806, the Roman Emperor granted to Heinrich XLII (+1818) of the Schleiz branch the title of Prince [8: Band 4; p.164-165].

In Aug 1806, with the abolition of the Holy Roman Empire, the Prince Reuss-Schleiz became a sovereign ruler.

In 1807, the Prince Reuss-Schleiz branch joined the Confederation of the Rhine.

In 1815, the Prince Reuss-Schleiz branch joined the German Confederation.

In 1848, the Prince Reuss-Schleiz branch united all possessions of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss.

In 1867, the Prince Reuss of the Elder Line joined the North German Confederation.

In 1871, the Prince Reuss of the Younger Line joined the German Empire.

In the course of the November Revolution of 1918, the Prince Reuss of the Younger Line was deposed.


Notes:
1. Heinrich XXIV (+1748), the youngest son of Count Heinrich I (+1692) of Schleiz, founded the Köstritz sub-branch of the Schleiz branch that had no Imperial immediate possessions.
2. In 1805, the Roman Emperor granted to Heinrich XLIII (+1814), Lord of Köstritz, the title of Prince [8: Band 4; p.165].




List of the Rulers

Heinrich XLII (1752-1818) [1784-1818]
Heinrich LXII (1785-1854) [1818-1854]
Heinrich LXVII (1789-1867) [1854-1867]
Heinrich XIV (1832-1913) [1867-1913]
Heinrich XXVII (1858-1928) [1913-1918]




Titles

1806-1918

Prince Reuss;
Count & Lord of Plauen,
Lord of Greiz, Kranichfeld, Gera, Schleiz, Lobenstein;




Voices in the Imperial Circle assemblies in 1789 [6: p.709] [2: p.14]

The Upper Saxony:
- % Reuss;




Voices in the Imperial Assembly in 1789 [6: p.709]

Curial voices in the Council of Princes:
= the Counts of Wetterau =
- % Reuss;




Territorial Possessions in 1789 [6: p.709]

The Imperial Circle of the Upper Saxony:
- Schleiz;
- Reichenfels;








2.3. Lobenstein

Heinrich X (+1671), a youngest son of Heinrich "the Posthumus" (+1635), founded the Lobenstein branch of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss.

Heinrich III (+1710) and Heinrich X (+1711), the sons of Heinrich X (+1671), divided his possessions, and founded, respectively, the branches of Lobenstein and Ebersdorf.




2.3.1. Lobenstein

Count Heinrich III (+1710), the eldest son of Heinrich X (+1671) continued the direct branch of Lobenstein.

Heinrich XV (+1739) and Heinrich XXVI (+1730), the sons of Count Heinrich III (+1710), divided his possessions, and founded, respectively, the branches of Lobenstein and Selbitz.




2.3.1.1. Lobenstein +1805

Count Heinrich XV (+1739), a son of Count Heinrich III (+1710), continued the direct branch of Lobenstein.

In 1790, the Roman Emperor granted to Heinrich XXXV (+1805), Lord of Lobenstein, the title of Prince [8: Band 4; p.164].

In 1805, with the death of Heinrich XXXV, the direct Lobenstein branch of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss became extinct, and its possessions passed to Heinrich LIV (+1824) of the Selbitz branch.




List of the Rulers

Heinrich XXXV (1738-1805) [1782-1805]




Voices in the Imperial Circle assemblies in 1789 [6: p.709] [2: p.14]

The Upper Saxony:
- % Reuss;




Voices in the Imperial Assembly in 1789 [6: p.709]

Curial voices in the Council of Princes:
= the Counts of Wetterau =
- % Reuss;




Territorial Possessions in 1789 [6: p.709]

The Imperial Circle of the Upper Saxony:
- % Lobenstein;








2.3.1.2. Selbitz (Lobenstein since 1805) +1824

Heinrich XXVI (+1730), a youngest son of Count Heinrich III (+1710), founded the appanage branch of Selbitz.

In 1805, after the extinction of the direct branch of Lobenstein, Count Heinrich LIV (+1824), from of the Selbitz branch, inherited its possessions.

In July 1806, the Roman Emperor granted to Heinrich LIV (+1824), the title of Prince [8: Band 4; p.165].

In Aug 1806, with the abolition of the Holy Roman Empire, the Prince Reuss-Lobenstein became a sovereign ruler.

In 1807, the Prince Reuss-Lobenstein joined the Confederation of the Rhine.

In 1815, the Prince Reuss-Lobenstein joined the German Confederation.

In 1824, with the death of Heinrich LIV, the Lobenstein branch of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss became extinct, and its possessions passed to the Ebersdorf branch.




List of the Rulers

Heinrich LIV (1767-1824) [1805-1824]




Titles

1806-1918

Prince Reuss;
Count & Lord of Plauen,
Lord of Greiz, Kranichfeld, Gera, Schleiz, Lobenstein;








2.3.2. Ebersdorf -1848]; +1853

Count Heinrich X (+1711), founded the branch of Ebersdorf of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss.

In Apr 1806, the Roman Emperor granted to Heinrich LI (+1822), the title of Prince [8: Band 4; p.165].

In Aug 1806, with the abolition of the Holy Roman Empire, the Prince Reuss-Ebersdorf became a sovereign ruler.

In 1807, the Prince Reuss-Ebersdorf joined the Confederation of the Rhine.

In 1815, the Prince Reuss-Ebersdorf joined the German Confederation.

In 1824, Heinrich LXXII (+1853), Prince Reuss-Ebersdorf, inherited possessions of the branch of Lobenstein.

In 1848, Heinrich LXXII (+1853), Prince Reuss-Ebersdorf, ceded all of his possessions to the branch of Schleiz.

In 1853, with the death of Heinrich LXXII, the Ebersdorf branch of the Younger Line of the House of Reuss became extinct.




List of the Rulers

Heinrich LI (1761-1822) [1779-1822]
Heinrich LXXII (1797-1852) [1822-1848]




Titles

1806-1918

Prince Reuss;
Count & Lord of Plauen,
Lord of Greiz, Kranichfeld, Gera, Schleiz, Lobenstein;




Voices in the Imperial Circle assemblies in 1789 [6: p.709] [2: p.14]

The Upper Saxony:
- % Reuss;




Voices in the Imperial Assembly in 1789 [6: p.709]

Curial voices in the Council of Princes:
= the Counts of Wetterau =
- % Reuss;




Territorial Possessions in 1789 [6: p.709]

The Imperial Circle of the Upper Saxony:
- % Lobenstein;




Bibliography.

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11. Hassel, Georg. Statistischer Umriss der sämtlichen europäischen Staaten in Hinsicht ihrer Größe, Bevölkerung, Kulturverhältnisse, Handlung, Finanz- und Militärverfassung und ihrer aussereuropäischen Besitzungen (Braunschweig : Vieweg, 1805).