Heinrich of Dannenberg
|
 |
In 1569, after Duke Heinrich had ruled the principality of Lüneburg for ten years with his younger brother, Duke Wilhelm the Younger (1535-1592), he decided to marry. Contrary to an arrangement with Wilhelm, who already had three titled sons from his marriage with Dorothea of Denmark, Heinrich married Ursula von Sachsen - Lauenburg. Duke Heinrich originally had a partition of the land in Lüneburg in mind, but it foundered upon opposition from the council in Celle. In return for his renunciation of a more extensive joint-rule in the principality of Lüneburg, Duke Heinrich received the castle, province, and city of Dannenberg, as well as the monastery of Scharnebeck and the continuous revenue from it. From that point on he received a yearly income of 500 talers and a one-time payment of 4000 talers for the liquidation of debts. However, Duke Heinrich had by this agreement contractually ensured all rights to the principality of Brunswick - Wolfenbüttel. In case of an extinction of the Wolfenbüttel line, his descendents were at that point to take up the succession. This happened in 1635, after the death of Friedrich Ulrich (1529-1634), when his youngest son August the Younger (1579-1666) finally inherited the principality of Wolfenbüttel. Duke Heinrich indeed bore the title of a prince, but without being a prince of the Holy Roman Empire, and he possessed no seat of his own in the council of princes. He could not represent his domain abroad and could conclude no treaties. Beginning in 1592 the position of Duke Heinrich improved in the principality of Dannenberg. Territorial expansion and the functions of the supreme court were given to his domain. In 1635 his youngest son, Duke August, took up the reign in the principality of Brunswick - Wolfenbüttel and was consequently the founder of the new house of Brunswick.
--Adapted from the website, Die Welfen
Sources
- von Katte, Maria. Catalogue for the exhibition "Herzog August." Herzog August Bibliothek, Wolfenbüttel, 1979.
Web