House of Württemberg
Encyclopedia
The Württemberg family is a European royal family
and a German dynasty from Württemberg
. The House has its origins, according to recent research, probably in the vicinity of the Salian dynasty
.
area. Conrad of Württemberg
became heir to the House of Beutelsbach and built the Wirtemberg Castle. Around 1089, he was made Count. Their domains, initially only the immediate surroundings of the castle including, increased steadily, mainly through acquisitions such as those from impoverished homes of Tübingen
.
At the Diet of Worms
in 1495, Count Eberhard V
was raised to Duke (Herzog) by the German King, later Holy Roman Emperor
, Maximilian I
. During 1534 to 1537 Duke Ulrich
introduced the Protestant Reformation
, and the country became Protestant. Duke Ulrich became head of the local Protestant Church.
In the 18th Century, the Protestant male line became extinct, the Head of the House was succeeded by Duke Charles Alexander a Roman Catholic. Despite having a Catholic royal family, Protestantism survived as the established church, run by a church council composed by members of the nobility of Württemberg. From 1797, with the accession of Duke Frederick II
, the royal family was again Protestant.
, and being and ally of Napoleon, Württemberg became a part of the Confederation of the Rhine
, Duke Frederick II was made Elector in May 1803, he collected and received secularized and mediated dominions, which greatly enlarged his country in territorial extension. In January 1806 he was made King of Württemberg
.
In 1828 King William I
adopted a new house law, the rights and obligations of the ruling family have been established, including the exclusive primogeniture in the male line as well as marriage restrictions on coequal level.
In 1867 the House created the Royal Dukedom of Urach
for a younger cousin, Prince Wilhelm, 1st Duke of Urach
, whose parents had married morganatically
in 1800, whereby their sons were excluded from ruling the kingdom. In 1871 the Royal Dukedom of Teck
was created for the same dynastic reason for Francis, Duke of Teck
.
At the end of World War I during the German Revolution all the monarchies in Germany were abolished, King William II
abdicated on 30 November 1918. When former King William II died in 1921 the senior branch line of the House of Württemberg became extinct, the headship of the House passed to a distant relative, Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg
.
The legal line of succession of the house of Württemberg has continued to the present, although the house no longer plays any political role. For later rulers, see List of Ministers-President of Württemberg.
Through the marriages of its female members, many royal families, descend from any of the Württemberg branches. Royal houses include: Bourbon
, Liechtenstein
, Orléans
, Windsor
, Wied-Neuwied
, etc.
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
and a German dynasty from Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
. The House has its origins, according to recent research, probably in the vicinity of the Salian dynasty
Salian dynasty
The Salian dynasty was a dynasty in the High Middle Ages of four German Kings , also known as the Frankish dynasty after the family's origin and role as dukes of Franconia...
.
History
Around 1080 were the ancestors of modern Württemberg, which was then called "Wirtemberg", settled in the StuttgartStuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
area. Conrad of Württemberg
Conrad I, Count of Württemberg
Conrad I of Württemberg was the first ruler of the castle of Wirtemberg 1083-1110, and is first mentioned in 1081. He is considered to be founder of the Württemberg dynasty....
became heir to the House of Beutelsbach and built the Wirtemberg Castle. Around 1089, he was made Count. Their domains, initially only the immediate surroundings of the castle including, increased steadily, mainly through acquisitions such as those from impoverished homes of Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
.
At the Diet of Worms
Diet of Worms
The Diet of Worms 1521 was a diet that took place in Worms, Germany, and is most memorable for the Edict of Worms , which addressed Martin Luther and the effects of the Protestant Reformation.It was conducted from 28 January to 25 May 1521, with Emperor Charles V presiding.Other Imperial diets at...
in 1495, Count Eberhard V
Eberhard I, Duke of Württemberg
Eberhard I of Württemberg . From 1459 till 1495 he was Count Eberhard V. From July 1495 he was the first Duke of Württemberg. He is also known as Eberhard im Bart ....
was raised to Duke (Herzog) by the German King, later Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
, Maximilian I
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I , the son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor and Eleanor of Portugal, was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 until his death, though he was never in fact crowned by the Pope, the journey to Rome always being too risky...
. During 1534 to 1537 Duke Ulrich
Ulrich, Duke of Württemberg
Herzog Ulrich von Württemberg succeeded his kinsman Eberhard II as Duke of Württemberg in 1498, being declared of age in 1503.-Early life:...
introduced the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, and the country became Protestant. Duke Ulrich became head of the local Protestant Church.
In the 18th Century, the Protestant male line became extinct, the Head of the House was succeeded by Duke Charles Alexander a Roman Catholic. Despite having a Catholic royal family, Protestantism survived as the established church, run by a church council composed by members of the nobility of Württemberg. From 1797, with the accession of Duke Frederick II
Frederick I of Württemberg
Frederick I William Charles of Württemberg was the first King of Württemberg. He was known for his size: at and about , he was in contrast to Napoleon, who recognized him as King of Württemberg.-Biography:...
, the royal family was again Protestant.
Kingdom of Württemberg
Due to the political upheavals during the reign of Napoleon INapoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
, and being and ally of Napoleon, Württemberg became a part of the Confederation of the Rhine
Confederation of the Rhine
The Confederation of the Rhine was a confederation of client states of the First French Empire. It was formed initially from 16 German states by Napoleon after he defeated Austria's Francis II and Russia's Alexander I in the Battle of Austerlitz. The Treaty of Pressburg, in effect, led to the...
, Duke Frederick II was made Elector in May 1803, he collected and received secularized and mediated dominions, which greatly enlarged his country in territorial extension. In January 1806 he was made King of Württemberg
Kingdom of Württemberg
The Kingdom of Württemberg was a state that existed from 1806 to 1918, located in present-day Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was a continuation of the Duchy of Württemberg, which came into existence in 1495...
.
In 1828 King William I
William I of Württemberg
William I was the second King of Württemberg from October 30, 1816 until his death.He was born in Lüben, the son of King Frederick I of Württemberg and his wife Duchess Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel .-First marriage:...
adopted a new house law, the rights and obligations of the ruling family have been established, including the exclusive primogeniture in the male line as well as marriage restrictions on coequal level.
In 1867 the House created the Royal Dukedom of Urach
Duke of Urach
The title Duke of Urach was created in the Kingdom of Württemberg for Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Ferdinand, Count of Württemberg on 28 March 1867, with the style of HSH."Urach" is pronounced Oo-raakh -Family:...
for a younger cousin, Prince Wilhelm, 1st Duke of Urach
Wilhelm, 1st Duke of Urach
Count Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Ferdinand of Württemberg, 1st Duke of Urach , was the son of Duke Wilhelm of Württemberg , younger brother of King Frederick I of Württemberg, by his morganatic wife, Baroness Wilhelmine von Tunderfeldt-Rhodis , who had married in 1800...
, whose parents had married morganatically
Morganatic marriage
In the context of European royalty, a morganatic marriage is a marriage between people of unequal social rank, which prevents the passage of the husband's titles and privileges to the wife and any children born of the marriage...
in 1800, whereby their sons were excluded from ruling the kingdom. In 1871 the Royal Dukedom of Teck
Duke of Teck
Duke of Teck was, in medieval times, a title borne by the head of a principality named Teck in the Holy Roman Empire, centered around Teck castle in Germany. That territory was held by a branch line of the Zähringen dynasty from 1187 to 1439, known historically as the first House of Teck...
was created for the same dynastic reason for Francis, Duke of Teck
Francis, Duke of Teck
Francis, Duke of Teck , was a member of the German nobility, and later of the British Royal Family. He was the father of Queen Mary, the wife of King George V...
.
At the end of World War I during the German Revolution all the monarchies in Germany were abolished, King William II
William II of Württemberg
William II was the fourth King of Württemberg, from 6 October 1891 until the abolition of the kingdom on 30 November 1918...
abdicated on 30 November 1918. When former King William II died in 1921 the senior branch line of the House of Württemberg became extinct, the headship of the House passed to a distant relative, Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg
Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg
Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg or Albrecht Herzog von Württemberg was a German Generalfeldmarschall and head of the Royal House of Württemberg...
.
Heads of the House of Württemberg since 1918
The legal line of succession of the house of Württemberg has continued to the present, although the house no longer plays any political role. For later rulers, see List of Ministers-President of Württemberg.
- King Wilhelm IIWilliam II of WürttembergWilliam II was the fourth King of Württemberg, from 6 October 1891 until the abolition of the kingdom on 30 November 1918...
, 1918-1921. - Duke AlbrechtAlbrecht, Duke of WürttembergAlbrecht, Duke of Württemberg or Albrecht Herzog von Württemberg was a German Generalfeldmarschall and head of the Royal House of Württemberg...
, 1921-1939. - Duke PhilippPhilipp Albrecht, Duke of WürttembergPhilipp Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg was the son of Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg and Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria...
, 1939-1975. - Duke CarlCarl, Duke of WürttembergCarl, Duke of Württemberg is the current Head of the House of Württemberg.-Heir to House of Württemberg:...
, since 1975.
Branches of the House of Württemberg
All branches descend from Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg (1732–1797) on the basis of Agnatic primogeniture- The first branch descends from Frederick I of WürttembergFrederick I of WürttembergFrederick I William Charles of Württemberg was the first King of Württemberg. He was known for his size: at and about , he was in contrast to Napoleon, who recognized him as King of Württemberg.-Biography:...
. This branch became extinct at the death of William II of WürttembergWilliam II of WürttembergWilliam II was the fourth King of Württemberg, from 6 October 1891 until the abolition of the kingdom on 30 November 1918...
in 1921. - The second branch descends from Duke Louis of WürttembergDuke Louis of WürttembergDuke Louis of Württemberg was the second son of Friedrich II Eugen, Duke of Württemberg and Margravine Sophia Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt...
, and belonged to the Teck family. This branch became extinct at the death of George Cambridge, 2nd Marquess of CambridgeGeorge Cambridge, 2nd Marquess of CambridgeGeorge Francis Hugh Cambridge, 2nd Marquess of Cambridge, GCVO , known as Prince George of Teck until 1917 and as Earl of Eltham from 1917 to 1927, was a descendant of the British Royal Family. He was the elder son of the 1st Marquess of Cambridge, formerly the Duke of Teck, and his wife, the...
in 1981. It was not considered dynastic due to the morganatic marriageMorganatic marriageIn the context of European royalty, a morganatic marriage is a marriage between people of unequal social rank, which prevents the passage of the husband's titles and privileges to the wife and any children born of the marriage...
of Duke Alexander of WürttembergDuke Alexander of WürttembergDuke Alexander of Württemberg was the father of Prince Francis of Teck and the grandfather of Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge and Queen Mary of Great Britain, wife of King George V....
to Countess Claudine Rhédey von Kis-RhédeClaudine Rhédey von Kis-RhédeCountess Claudine Rhédey de Kis-Rhéde was the wife of Duke Alexander of Württemberg. Her son, Francis, Duke of Teck was the father of Mary of Teck, Queen consort to George V of the United Kingdom....
. A female line descendant from this branch includes Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. - The third branch "CarlsruhePokój, Opole VoivodeshipPokój is a village in Namysłów County, Opole Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Pokój...
" descends from Duke Eugen of Württemberg. This branch became extinct at the death of Duke Nicholas of Württemberg in 1903. - The fourth branch descends from Duke William Frederick Philip of WürttembergDuke William Frederick Philip of WürttembergWilliam Frederick Philip, Duke of Württemberg was a prince of the House of Württemberg and a minister for war.-Early life:...
, and belongs to the UrachDuke of UrachThe title Duke of Urach was created in the Kingdom of Württemberg for Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Ferdinand, Count of Württemberg on 28 March 1867, with the style of HSH."Urach" is pronounced Oo-raakh -Family:...
family. This branch is extant, but as the Teck branch, it is not considered dynastic because of the morganatic marriage of Duke William Frederick Philip to Baroness Wilhelmine von Tunderfedt-Rhodes in 1800. The first Duke was however created a "Serene Highness" in the 1860s. The current head of this branch is Wilhelm Albert, Duke of UrachWilhelm Albert, Duke of UrachPrince Wilhelm Albert Raphael Maria of Urach, Count of Württemberg, 5th Duke of Urach is the head of the morganatic Urach branch of the House of Württemberg.-Duke of Urach:...
. - The fifth "AltshausenAltshausenAltshausen is a small Swabian municipality near Ravensburg, Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany.- Geography :Altshausen is situated in Upper Swabia, about 40 kilometers north of Lake Constance...
" branch descends from Duke Alexander of Württemberg. The current pretender to the throne of Württemberg, Duke CarlCarl, Duke of WürttembergCarl, Duke of Württemberg is the current Head of the House of Württemberg.-Heir to House of Württemberg:...
, belongs to this branch.
Through the marriages of its female members, many royal families, descend from any of the Württemberg branches. Royal houses include: Bourbon
House of Bourbon
The House of Bourbon is a European royal house, a branch of the Capetian dynasty . Bourbon kings first ruled Navarre and France in the 16th century. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty also held thrones in Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Parma...
, Liechtenstein
Princely Family of Liechtenstein
The Liechtenstein dynasty, from which the principality takes its name, is the family which reigns by constitutional, hereditary right over the nation of Liechtenstein...
, Orléans
House of Orleans
Orléans is the name used by several branches of the Royal House of France, all descended in the legitimate male line from the dynasty's founder, Hugh Capet. It became a tradition during France's ancien régime for the duchy of Orléans to be granted as an appanage to a younger son of the king...
, Windsor
House of Windsor
The House of Windsor is the royal house of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded by King George V by royal proclamation on the 17 July 1917, when he changed the name of his family from the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the English Windsor, due to the anti-German sentiment in the United Kingdom...
, Wied-Neuwied
Wied-Neuwied
Wied-Neuwied was a German statelet of northeastern Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, located northeast of the Rhine River, north and inclusive of Neuwied. Wied-Neuwied was a partition of Wied, and was raised from a County to a Principality in 1784. Prince Alexander Philip Maximilian was the second son...
, etc.