List of Dukes and Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg

This is a list of Dukes and Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg dating from the origins of the German princely state of Mecklenburg's royal house in the High Middle Ages to the monarchy's abolition at the end of World War I. Strictly speaking, Mecklenburg’s princely dynasty was descended linearly from the princes (or kings) of a Slavic tribe, the Obotrites, and had its original residence in a castle (Mecklenburg) in Dorf Mecklenburg (Mikelenburg) close to Wismar."Fürsten und Gutsherren..."] As part of a feudal union under German law from 1160—at first under the Saxons—Mecklenburg was granted imperial immediacy in 1348 and its princely rulers styled Dukes of Mecklenburg. [Wigger, p.121] Despite several partitions, Mecklenburg remained an integral state until the end of the monarchy. The First Partition of Mecklenburg came in 1234, causing the principality to lose land. Thus arose the partial principalities (lordships) of Werle, Parchim-Richenberg, Rostock and Mecklenburg. [de icon [http://www.emecklenburg.de/Dobbertin/ort.htm Die Ortsgeschichte von Dobbertin] ] In modern times it was divided into the two (partial) duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (I) and Mecklenburg-Stargard (1348–1471), Mecklenburg-Schwerin (II) and Mecklenburg-Güstrow (1555–1695), and with the Partition of Hamburg (1701) into Mecklenburg-Schwerin (III) and Mecklenburg-Strelitz."Von der Reformation..."] However, the dynasty always retained feudal rights to the entire fief and the rulers of both parts of the country always had identical titles, which led to diplomatic confusion.

The Congress of Vienna in 1815 granted the ruling dukes an adjustment in rank with the title Grand Duke of Mecklenburg and the personal style "Royal Highness". Both parts of the country were henceforth designated Grand Duchies. Besides both rulers, each heir to the throne, their respective wives and all other members of the princely family used the title of Duke (or Duchess) of Mecklenburg, notwithstanding the customary name of Princes and Princesses. The rulers of Mecklenburg were styled Duke of (from 1815 Grand Duke of) Mecklenburg, Prince of the Wends, Schwerin and Ratzeburg, and Count of Schwerin, Lord of the Lands of Rostock and Stargard ("Herzog zu / Großherzog von Mecklenburg, Fürst zu Wenden, Schwerin und Ratzeburg, auch Graf zu Schwerin, der Lande Rostock und Stargard Herr"). [http://www.heraldica.org/topics/royalty/HGMecklenburg.htm House Laws of Mecklenburg] ]

At the end of the monarchy in 1918, the House of Mecklenburg was the oldest ruling princely dynasty in Germany. During the Weimar Republic, the former princely title was turned into a commoner’s surname, "Herzog zu Mecklenburg" ("Duke of Mecklenburg").

List of names

The period of rule is indicated next to the name of the Duke and his relationship to his predecessor. [Wigger, p.326] The partitions played a role, particularly from the Middle Ages; administration changed more frequently, and any period of rule or reign is noted separately for the respective ruler.

Princes (Kings) of the Obotrites

Nicholas I Line
(Werle)

Dukes of Mecklenburg

Mecklenburg-Schwerin Lines (I) and (II)

Dukes of Mecklenburg / Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg

Mecklenburg-Schwerin Line (III)

Mecklenburg-Strelitz line

Notes

Bibliography

* Friedrich Wigger: "Stammtafeln des Großherzoglichen Hauses von Meklenburg". In: Jahrbücher des Vereins für Mecklenburgische Geschichte und Altertumskunde 50 (1885), p.111ff. ( [http://portal.hsb.hs-wismar.de/pub/lbmv/mjb/jb050/350367779.html Digitalised] )

External links

Commons|Category:House of Mecklenburg|House of Mecklenburg
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* [http://www.auf-nach-mv.de/index.php?strg=18_36_141&baseID=568 Fürsten und Gutsherren sorgten für Park- und Schlösserfluten] , Mecklenburg-Pomerania Tourism Agency
* [http://www.kirche-mv.de/Geschichte-nach-der-Reformation.7284.0.html "Von der Reformation bis heute" ("From the Reformation until Today")] , Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mecklenburg-Pomerania