Imperial County of Reuss

Principality within the Holy Roman Empire (c. 1010 - 1778/1806)

Imperial County of Reuss

Reichsgrafschaft Reuß (German)

c. 1010–1778/1806

Flag

Coat of arms

Reuss in 1820: Elder (green) and Younger (orange) line

Status| County
Capital| Weida until 1531, then Plauen, Gera and Greiz
Government| Principality
Historical era| Middle Ages

• Established

| c. 1010

• Partitioned to R.-Gera,
R-Plauen and R-Weida

c. 1206

• Partitioned into Elder,
Middle and Younger line

1564

• Principality of Reuss
Elder Line

1778

• Principality of Reuss
Junior Line

| 1806

Preceded by | Succeeded by

|

|  | Vogtland

|

| Principality of Reuss-Greiz |

|

Principality of Reuss-Gera |

Reuss (German: Reuß [ˈʁɔʏs] ⓘ) was the name of several historical states located in present-day Thuringia, Germany. Several lordships of the Holy Roman Empire which arose after 1300 and became Imperial Counties from 1673 and Imperial Principalities in the late 18th century were ruled by the House of Reuss.

A varying number of these counties came into being by partition; they were partially merged and divided again. After the end of the empire in 1806, the principality of the elder line, as well as several of the younger, became sovereign member states of the German Confederation, with the younger ones merging into a unified principality by 1848. The two remaining territories became federal principalities of the German Empire in 1871, the Principality of Reuss Elder Line with the state capital of Greiz and the Principality of Reuss Younger Line with the state capital of Gera. Both states were ruled by the House of Reuss until the German Revolution of 1918–1919. The head of each branch bore the German title Fürst (Prince, as head of a princely house) while their children and all other members of the house bore the title Prinz/Prinzessin (Prince/Princess, as agnate members of a princely house).

Since the end of the 12th century, all male members of the House of Reuss are named Heinrich (English: Henry), in honour of Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor (1190–1197), to whom they owed the dominions of Weida and Gera. For the purpose of differentiation, they are given order numbers according to certain systems (see below, section Numbering of the Heinrichs), and in private life they are distinguished by nicknames.

## History of the various states

[edit]

Several different principalities of the House of Reuss which had previously existed had by the time of the formation of the German Confederation become part of the two remaining lines (the Elder and the Younger lines). Before then, they had been part first of the Holy Roman Empire, and then the Confederation of the Rhine.

### Origins

[edit]

The region including what would become the Principality of Reuss was inhabited in early medieval times by Slavic people who were converted to Christianity by the German Emperor Otto I (936–973). In church matters the region was under the Diocese of Zeitz (founded in 968), which became a suffragan of Magdeburg. On account of the frequent inroads of the Slavs, the residence of the Bishop of Zeitz was removed to Naumburg in 1028, after which the See was called Naumburg-Zeitz.[1]

Upon its subjection to German authority, the whole province was allotted to the March of Zeitz. As early as the year 1000, however, Emperor Otto III permitted the entire part lying on the eastern boundary of Thuringia, a wooded area, sparsely populated by the West Slavic people of the Sorbs, to be cleared for farmland and settled by German settlers. Emperor Henry IV appointed Henry the Pious of Gleissberg (c. 1040−1120) imperial vogt, or bailiff (advocatus imperii) of this settlement area, under the rule of the imperial Quedlinburg Abbey. He was a son of Erkenbert I of Weida, the oldest known ancestor of the family, who is mentioned in 1122 in the entourage of Count Adalbert of Everstein at the consecration of St John's church in Plauen. The name of the area Heinrich controlled derives from his office: Vogtland (Terra advocatorum, Land of the Bailiff). This designation has remained to this day a geographical summary for a region of 3,467 km2 (comparable roughly to the county of Essex) which is located in Saxony, Thuringia and, to a lesser extent, in northern Bavaria.

### The House of the Vogts (Bailiffs)

[edit]

Coat-of-arms of the Vogts of Gera (1370), since the mid 15th century also of the Vogts of Plauen and the Lords Reuss of Plauen

The position of vogt soon became hereditary. While the dominions of Heinrich von Gleissberg included the towns Gera and Weida, his grandson Henry II the Rich (d. before 1209) also acquired Plauen. When his three sons divided their inheritance, three independent areas emerged, ruled by the branches of the bailiffs of Weida-Ronneburg, Plauen-Gera and Greiz-Reichenbach. The bailiffs, initially unfree nobles (Ministerialis), quickly rose to the rank of lords. After the division, the official title Vogt was carried on by all branches and passed on like a hereditary imperial fiefdom. When the bailiffs negotiated a treaty with Henry III, Margrave of Meissen in 1254, they acted as equal partners. In 1329 Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian confirmed the bailiffs a rank equal to Princes of the Holy Roman Empire, albeit without the title itself, they continued to use the designation Vogt.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, the bailiffs of Weida gradually became independent of the Quedlinburg Abbey on the lands they administered. Their area included what is generally understood today as Vogtland. Over time the dominions of the bailiffs extended beyond the Vogtland into the Western Ore Mountains, with areas extending into what is now the Czech Republic.

The Weida branch was extinct in 1535, the branch of Greiz-Reichenbach was soon inherited by the branch of Plauen-Gera which then divided into Plauen (elder and younger line) and Gera-Schleiz-Lobenstein (extinct in 1550). The elder Plauen line of the vogts was extinct in 1380, the founder of the younger Plauen line was Henry (d. about 1300), who on account of his stay in Eastern European regions and his marriage with a granddaughter of King Daniel of Galicia received the surname of "der Reusse" (Ruthenus, a term for the Kievan Rus'), whence the name later passed to his country.[1] His descendants were styled Lords Reuss of Plauen, Greiz and Gera. The House of Reuss is thus descended from the vogts of Plauen from whom they inherited the cities and lordships of Gera, Greiz, Schleiz and Lobenstein. However, in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the vogts had lost the greater part of their possessions, most of which fell to the Electorate of Saxony, including Weida in 1427 and Plauen in 1482.

* Plauen city and castle (1859)

* Osterburg Castle at Weida

* Osterstein Castle at Gera (until 1918 state capital of the Principality of Reuss Younger Line)

* Greiz with Upper and Lower Castle (until 1918 state capital of the Principality of Reuss Elder Line)

### House of Reuss

[edit]

Coat-of-arms of the princely House of Reuss (younger line)

In 1306 the Plauen branch of the vogts was subdivided into an elder line (at Plauen) that died out around 1380, and a younger line (at Greiz and Reichenbach), called Reuss. In 1564 the latter was subdivided into three branches, the Elder (extinct in 1927), the Middle (extinct in 1616), and the Younger (of which the ruling line became extinct in 1945) and a side line, split off in 1692, Reuss-Köstritz, which had been raised to (however non-ruling) princes in 1806, still exists with about 30 male relatives, all named Heinrich, as the last surviving branch of the family, with the senior of this branch, the Prince Reuss-Köstritz, as head of the entire house, hence now The Fürst Reuss, while the others hold the agnatic title of prince.

In 1673 the Lords Reuss were raised to Imperial Counts and (depending on the line) from 1778 (1790 or 1802) to Imperial Princes. The dynasty ruled divided areas in various lines and sub-lines; around 1700 there were ten Reussian counties of both main branches. The lords, counts and princes were never styled of Reuss, but rather count or prince Reuss, as Reuss was originally not the name of a town or castle, but rather a personal designation for the founder of the branch that indicated his foreign connection through marriage (Reussen is in fact an older German term for Russians), and the family is still referred to today in the plural as die Reussen.

On account of the close relations of Reuss with the neighbouring Saxon states, Lutheranism speedily gained a foothold in Reuss. The rulers joined the Schmalkaldic League against the German emperor, and forfeited their possessions, but afterwards recovered them.[1]

### Numbering of the Heinrichs

[edit]

All the males of the House of Reuss are named Heinrich (Henry) plus a number.

In the elder line the numbering covers all male children of the elder House, and the numbers increase until 100 is reached and then start again at 1.

In the younger line the system is similar but the numbers increase until the end of the century before starting again at 1.

This odd regulation was formulated as a Family Law in 1688, but the tradition of the uniformity of name was in practice as early as 1200. It was seen as a way of honoring the Hohenstaufen Emperor Heinrich/Henry VI, who raised Heinrich der Reiche/Henry the Rich (+1209) to the office of provost of the Quedlinburg Abbey, thus taking on the title of vogt.

### Main partition

[edit]

The Reuss territories in the 18th century:

* Green: Reuss elder line (Greiz, Burgk)
* Red: Reuss-Gera (with Saalburg)
* Yellow: Reuss-Schleiz
* Brown: Reuss-Lobenstein

In 1564 the sons of Henry XIII of Reuss at Greiz divided the estates into

* Reuss at Lower Greiz, descendants of Henry XIV the Elder
* Reuss at Upper Greiz, descendants of Henry XV the Middle
* Reuss at Gera, descendants of Henry XVI the Younger.

While the Middle Reuss became extinct in 1616, the Older and Younger lines were divided again several times until in 1778 Count Henry XI united the possessions of Upper and Lower Greiz to the Principality of Reuss Elder Line. In return the remaining estates of Gera, considerably larger though, became the Principality of Reuss Younger Line in 1806. The two remaining Reuss principalities joined the German Confederation in 1815. Several subdivisions of the Younger Line merged into a unified state by 1848.

Henry XXII of Reuss Elder line is notable among the modern princes of this house for his enmity to Prussia, which he opposed in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, when the Prussian troops occupied his domain. Henry joined the North German Confederation and the new German Empire in 1871. He alone of all the confederate princes remained until his death in 1902 an implacable enemy of Prince Bismarck and of the conditions created in Germany by the foundation of the empire. Despite his views, his daughter Hermine Reuss of Greiz later became the second wife of the exiled German Emperor Wilhelm II. Other daughters of the house also made important marriages: Countess Augusta Reuss of Ebersdorf, by marriage the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, was the maternal grandmother of Queen Victoria and the paternal grandmother of Albert, Prince Consort. Princess Augusta Reuss of Köstritz married the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1849 and Eleonore Reuss of Köstritz became queen consort ("Tsaritsa") of Bulgaria in 1908.

Heinrich XXIV, Prince Reuss of Greiz (1878–1927), was incapable of ruling and therefore the regency passed to the ruling prince of the younger line of Reuss.[1] Since the childless Heinrich XXIV was the last of his line, it was to be expected that the principality of the elder line would fall to the younger line after his death, and that a united state of Reuss would emerge as a result. However, both lines lost their thrones in the German Revolution of 1918–19 and a united, albeit republican state, the People's State of Reuss, emerged in 1919, only to merge with the larger state of Thuringia in 1920. The unified state of Reuss had a non-contiguous area of 1,143 square kilometers and 211,324 inhabitants (1919).

A (non-governing) side branch of the younger line had emerged in 1692 when Heinrich XXIV, Count Reuss of Köstritz, a younger son of the ruling count Heinrich I. Reuss of Schleiz, received a number of landed estates as a paréage within his eldest brother's county, with his main seat at Köstritz Castle. This branch connected through marriages with important ruling houses, did however not govern their own territory, but lived as landowners in the county of the Schleiz Line. Henry XLIII., count Reuss of Köstritz, was elevated to hereditary Fürst (prince) by Emperor Francis II in 1806 (however without governmental power); the paréage of Köstritz remained within the principality of the younger line.

When the elder line died out with Heinrich XXIV in 1927 and the younger one when Heinrich XLV, son of the last ruler, died childless in 1945 as a prisoner of the communists, thus both main branches having become extinct, the dynastic succession (and the theoretical claims to their thrones) passed to the princely House Reuss of Köstritz. This side line of the Younger Line is therefore the only branch of the entire house that still exists today, but has over 30 male members, all named Heinrich. The family council decided on June 5, 1930, that all members of the remaining family should henceforth omit any line addition (Younger Line or Köstritz) from their names and call themselves Prince or Princess Reuss. This name (as well as the Heinrichs' count) was retained by a court order even in the Weimar republic. The current head of the family, Heinrich XIV, dynastic actually the Fürst (Prince) Reuss of Köstritz (b. 1952), is also styled The Fürst (Prince) Reuss, as Köstritz is no longer a side line but the only branch of the house.[2] His main seat is Ernstbrunn Castle in Austria which his family had inherited in 1822, while Köstritz Castle was expropriated by communist East Germany in 1945 and demolished in the 1970s. In 1945, the Princes Reuss lost all of their extended possessions and castles in their ancestral homeland through expropriation. Heinrich XIV and some of his relatives regained some properties in the former Reuss states following German Reunification in 1990.

### Aftermath

[edit]

After World War I, the Reuss territories were unified in 1919 as the People's State of Reuss, which was incorporated into the new state of Thuringia in 1920.

* The Upper Castle at Greiz

* The Lower Castle at Greiz

* Orangery at Gera

* Burgk Castle

## Rulers of Reuss

[edit]

### House of Reuss

[edit]

Partitions of Reuss under Reuss rule

Lordship
of Weida[3]
(1122–1531)  | Lordship of Plauen
(1209–1572)[4] | Lordship
of Greiz
(1st creation)
(1209–1239)

| Lordship
of Greiz
(2nd creation)
(1274–1547)  |

Lordship of
Lobenstein
(1st creation)
(1425–1489)  | Lordship
of Schleiz
(1st creation)
(1425–1547)  | Lordship of Gera
(1st creation)
(1238–1502)

|        |

Lordship of
Burgk
(1578–1697)[5] |        | Lordship of
Gera[6]
(2nd creation)
(1547–1673)

Promoted to:
County of
Gera
(1673–1802)  | Lordship of Lobenstein
(2nd creation)
(1635–1673)  | Lordship of Schleiz
(2nd creation)
(1635–1673)
Lordship of Greiz
(1562–1673)[7]

Promoted to:
County of Greiz
(1673–1778)

Middle Line II promoted to:
Principality of Greiz
(1778–1918)
Lordship of
Ebersdorf
(1671–1673)

Promoted to:
County of
Ebersdorf
(1673–1806)  | Promoted to:
County of
Lobenstein
(1673–1806)[8]

Promoted to:
Principality of
Lobenstein
(1806–1824)
Promoted to:
County of
Schleiz
(1673–1848)  | County of
Kostritz
(1692–1806)[9]

Promoted to:
Principality of
Kostritz
(1806–1918)
Gera divided
between the
remnant
Younger Line
territories | Promoted to:
Principality of
Ebersdorf
(1806–1848)
Principality of Gera[10]
(Reuss-Schleiz line)
(1848–1918)

Table of rulers

Notes:

* The feudal table above was simplified: there were many other divisions which were omitted, but they will appear below, as short-lived separations from the more important ones.
* The consistent use of the name Henry is a tribute to Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor. Every male member of the family has this name since the third generation of the family.
* The numbering of the rulers explained above, are as follows:
* Prior to the annexation of Greiz and Gera to Plauen (1547-62), the numberings attributed are sequential. Please bear in mind that there are other sequences besides the one proposed.
* After the liberation of Plauen control (1547-62), the Reuss states divided between Elder, Middle and Younger Lines. While the Middle Line followed the sequence pre-annexation (and was the first of the three to be extinct), the other two started a very odd sequence and tradition, as follows:
* The Elder Line numbers every male member of the family (even the stillborn sons) in sequential order of birth until 100; the numbering restarts from there.
* The Younger Line numbers every male member of the family (even the stillborn sons) in sequential order of birth until the end of the century; the numbering restarts from the first child born in the new century.

| Ruler | Born | Reign | Ruling part | Consort | Death | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|

Erkenbert I [et] |  | c.1090
Son of ? | 1122 – 1 August 1163 | Lordship of Weida | Jordana of Gleissberg
(c.1100-27 April 1167/73)
1120
three children  | 1 August 1163
aged 72-73 | Founder of the family.
Erkenbert II |  | 1124
Second son of Erkenbert I [et] and Jordana of Gleissberg | 1 August 1163 – c.1175  | Lordship of Weida | Jutta of Saxony
two children  | c.1175
aged 50-51 | Children of Erkenbert I. The elder two ruled jointly.
Henry I the Just [de] |  | 1122
First son of Erkenbert I [et] and Jordana of Gleissberg | 1 August 1163 – 1193  | Lukardis of Lautenberg
(1126–1162)
1143/55
two children

Juliane of Schwarzburg
(1127-?)
1163
one child  | 1193
aged 70-71
Otto |  | c.1125
Third son of Erkenbert I [et] and Jordana of Gleissberg | 1 August 1163 – 1171 | Lordship of Weida
(in Osterode) | Unmarried | 1171
aged 46/7
Henry II the Rich |  | 1164
Son of Henry I [de] and Juliane of Schwarzburg | 1193 – 3 August 1209 | Lordship of Weida | Bertha of Vohburg
(c.1160-bef. 24 September 1209)
1187
five children  | 3 August 1209[11]
aged 44-45 |
Henry III the Elder |  | c.1180
First son of Henry II and Bertha of Vohburg | 3 August 1209 – 1219 | Lordship of Weida | Unknown
three children  | 9 July 1224  | Children of Henry II, divided the Reuss lands for the first time. Henry III abdicated to his own son to join the Teutonic Order.
Henry IV the Middle [bg] |  | 1182
Second son of Henry II and Bertha of Vohburg | 3 August 1209 – 1249 | Lordship of Plauen | Jutta of Altenburg
(1186-Aft. 1 May 1268)
1225
(annulled 8 September 1238)
three children  | 1249
aged 66-67
Henry V the Younger |  | 1184
Third son of Henry II and Bertha of Vohburg | 3 August 1209 – 1239 | Lordship of Greiz | Isengard of Waldenburg
(d.13 March 12??)
no children  | 1239
aged 54-55
Greiz annexed to Plauen
Regency (1219–1224) |
Henry VI the Peppersack [bg] |  | 1210
Son of Henry III | 1219 – 23 September 1258 | Lordship of Weida | Heilika of Hardegg
(1214-?)
1235
two children  | 23 September 1258
aged 47-48
Henry I [de][12] |  | 1226
First son of Henry IV [bg] and Jutta of Altenburg | 1249–1303  | Lordship of Plauen | Adelaide of Lobdeburg-Lichtenburg
(1228–1253)
1247
Leuchtenburg
two children

? of Everstein
(1230-bef.1253)
1250
no children

Kunigunde of Lützelstein
(1234-Bef.23 April 1302)
1253
Lützelstein
five children  | 1303
aged 76-77 | Henry of Plauen and Henry of Gera were sons of Henry IV. Henry I of Plauen associated his eldest son (Henry the Bohemian) to the government, and gave Greiz to his second son, Henry the Russian. The lord of Greiz's surname, the Russian is said to have originated the family's surname, Reuss.
Henry II the Bohemian [de] |  | 1254
First son of Henry I [de] and Adelaide of Lobdeburg-Lichtenburg | 1274–1302 | Catherine of Riesenburg
Duchcov
three children  | 1302
aged 47-48
Henry I the Russian [de][12] |  | 1256
Second son of Henry I [de] and Adelaide of Lobdeburg-Lichtenburg | 1274 – 12 December 1295 | Lordship of Greiz | Jutta of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg
(1277-Aft.10 May 1329)
30 March 1289
three children  | 12 December 1295
aged 38-39
Henry I the Younger [bg] |  | 1227
Second son of Henry IV [bg] and Jutta of Altenburg | 1249 – 1 June 1274 | Lordship of Gera | Luitgard-Irmgard of Helmerungen
(1231-Aft.31 August 1279)
eight children  | 1 June 1274
aged 46-47
Henry VII the Red |  | 1236
First son of Henry VI [bg] and Heilika of Hardegg | 23 September 1258 – 1260  | Lordship of Weida | Unmarried | 1260
aged 23-24 | Children of Henry VI, ruled jointly.
Henry VIII of Orlamünde [bg] |  | 1238
Second son of Henry VI [bg] and Heilika of Hardegg | 23 September 1258 – 17 September 1280 | Irmgard of Dewin
(c.1240-?)
1248
two children

Sophie of Weimar-Orlamünde [de]
19 July 1258
three children  | 17 September 1280
aged 41-42
Henry II the Elder [bg] |  | 1254
First son of Henry I [bg] and Luitgard-Irmgard of Helmerungen | 1 June 1274 – 1310  | Lordship of Gera | Irmgard of Weimar-Orlamünde
(1264–1318)
27 March 1276
eight children  | c.1310
aged 55-56 | Children of Henry I, ruled jointly.
Henry III the Younger |  | 1256
Second son of Henry I [bg] and Luitgard-Irmgard of Helmerungen | 1 June 1274 – 3 August 1311 | Unknown
three children  | 3 August 1311
aged 54-55
Henry IX the Elder [bg] |  | 1260
First son of Henry VIII [bg] and Sophie of Weimar-Orlamünde [de] | 17 September 1280 – 1320  | Lordship of Weida | ? of Lobdeburg
eight children  | 1320
aged 59-60 | Children of Henry VIII, ruled jointly.
Henry X the Younger |  | 1264
Second son of Henry VIII [bg] and Sophie of Weimar-Orlamünde [de] | 17 September 1280 – 1293 | Hedwig
two children  | 1293
aged 28-29
Regency of Jutta of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg (1295–1306) |
Henry II [de] |  | 1289
Son of Henry I [de] and Jutta of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg | 12 December 1295 – 18 December 1350 | Lordship of Greiz | Sophie of Beichlingen
(1288–1335)
1306
two children

Salomea of Żagań
(1319-Aft.12 June 1359)
1335
ten children  | 18 December 1350
aged 60-61
Henry III the Tall [de] |  | 1284
Son of Henry II [de] and Catherine of Riesenburg | 1303–1348 | Lordship of Plauen | Margaret of Seberg
(1288-bef.20 February 1322)
Bef. 1302
six children  | 1348
aged 63-64 | Father and son. Henry IV received from his father the lordship of Mühltroff. They either died in the same year, or Henry IV predeceased his father.
Henry IV the Younger [bg] |  | 1308
Son of Henry III [de] and Margaret of Seberg | 1317–1348 | Lordship of Plauen
(at Mühltroff) | Agnes of Schlüsselberg
(1312–17 August 1354)
two children  | 1348
aged 39-40
Regency of Irmgard of Weimar-Orlamünde (1311–1314) | Had no heirs, and was succeeded by his brother Henry V.
Henry IV the Elder |  | 1305
First son of Henry II [bg] and Irmgard of Weimar-Orlamünde | 1310 – 14 September 1343 | Lordship of Gera | Sophia Schenk of Dornburg
(d. Aft. 1331)
24 June 1324
no children  | 14 September 1343
aged 37-38
Henry XI the Elder [bg] |  | 1289
Son of Henry IX [bg] and ? of Lobdeburg | 1320–1366  | Lordship of Weida | Catherine Reuss of Plauen
(1310-Bef.1 March 1336)
Bef.16 September 1323
four children  | 1366
aged 76-77 | Cousins, ruled jointly. Henry XII abdicated in 1324.
Henry XII the Younger |  | 1288
Son of Henry X and Hedwig | 1320–1324 | Unknown
two children  | c.1350
aged c.61-62
Henry V the Elder [bg] |  | 1322
First son of Henry IV [bg] and Agnes of Schlüsselberg | 1348–1357 | Lordship of Plauen
(at Mühltroff) | Irmgard of Orlamünde
(1326-Aft.5 May 1388)
1345
five children  | 1364
aged 41-42 | Children of Henry IV, divided their inheritance: Henry V inherited the property of his father at Mühltroff, and Henry VI received the main lands of his grandfather in Plauen. In 1357 Henry V abdicated to his son, Henry VII.
Henry VI the Younger [bg] |  | 1324
Second son of Henry IV [bg] and Agnes of Schlüsselberg | 1348–1370 | Lordship of Plauen | Luitgard of Kranichfeld
(1334-Aft.30 March 1376)
1353
three children  | c.1370
aged 45-46
Henry V [bg] |  | 1308
Second son of Henry II [bg] and Irmgard of Weimar-Orlamünde | 14 September 1343 – 8 December 1377  | Lordship of Gera | Matilda of Schwarzburg-Käfernburg
(1313–1375/76)
Bef. 20 July 1328
seven children  | 8 December 1377
aged 68-69 | Henry V associated his eldest son, Henry VI, to the co-rulership, but he predeceased him.
Henry VI [bg] |  | 1322
Gera
First son of Henry V and Matilda of Schwarzburg-Käfernburg | 14 September 1343 – 1350 | Jutta Reuss of Plauen
(1331-Aft. 1344)
1344
no children  | c.1350
aged c.27-28?
Henry III the Elder [bg] |  | 1333
Plauen
First son of Henry II [de] and Salomea of Żagań | 18 December 1350 – 1368 | Lordship of Greiz | Jutta of Hackeborn
(1343-?)
three children

Agnes of Leisnig-Penig
(d.Aft.6 December 1359)
Bf. 4 March 1355
three children  | 1368
aged 34-35 | Children of Henry II. Henry IV and Henry V, the younger brothers, co-ruled at Ronneburg. After their deaths, Ronneburg was reabsorbed by Greiz.
Henry IV the Middle |  | 1335
Plauen
Second son of Henry II [de] and Salomea of Żagań | 18 December 1350 – 1370  | Lordship of Greiz
(at Ronneburg) | Unmarried | 1370
aged 34-35
Henry V the Younger [bg] |  | 1337
Plauen
Third son of Henry II [de] and Salomea of Żagań | 18 December 1350 – 1398 | Dorothea Reuss of Gera
(1377-Bef.12 February 1410)
Bef.20 December 1387
no children

Sophie Reuss of Gera
(1339-Bef.12 February 1411)
no children  | 1398
aged 60-61
Ronneburg annexed to Greiz
Regency of Irmgard of Orlamünde (1357–1364) | Inherited his father's part of the inheritance in Mühltroff, but, despite having heirs, Mühltroff was recovered by Plauen after his death. Henry of Plauen I, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, was his son.
Henry VII [bg] |  | 1348
Son of Henry V [bg] and Irmgard of Orlamünde | 1357–1380 | Lordship of Plauen
(at Mühltroff) | ? Reuss of Weida
(Aft.1346–1363/66)
Bef.28 Jul 1362
three children  | 1380
aged 31-32
Mühltroff annexed to Plauen
Henry XIII the Knight [bg] |  | 1338
First son of Henry XI [bg] and Catherine Reuss of Plauen | 1366 – 1 June 1373  | Lordship of Weida | Elsa Reuss of Gera
(1335-Aft.3 June 1371)
no children  | 1 June 1373
aged 34-35 | Sons of Henry XI, ruled jointly, after a period of co-rulership with their father (since 1351).
Henry XIV the Red [bg] |  | 1342
Second son of Henry XI [bg] and Catherine Reuss of Plauen | 1366 – 13 March 1389 | Margaret of Uttenhofen
(1346-Bef.7 September 1376)
two children  | 13 March 1389
aged 46-47
Henry VI the Elder [bg] |  | 1355
First son of Henry III [bg] and Jutta of Hackeborn | 1368–1445  | Lordship of Greiz
(at Inner Greiz) | Gaudentia of Lobdeburg-Elsterburg
(1359-Aft. 28 November 1395)
Aft.14 February 1375
three children  | c.1445
aged 89-90 | Children of Henry III, Henry VI and Henry VII divided Greiz: Henry VI took Inner Greiz (Hintergreiz), and Henry VII took Outer Greiz (Vordergreiz). Henry VI associated his son, Henry VIII, to his rule, but he predeceased him.
Henry VIII |  | 1382
Son of Henry VI [bg] and Gaudentia of Lobdeburg-Elsterburg | 1398–1436 | Unmarried | 1436
aged 53-54
Henry VII the Younger [bg] |  | c.1360
Second son of Henry III [bg] and Jutta of Hackeborn | 1368 – 16 June 1426 | Lordship of Greiz
(at Outer Greiz) | Matilda of Schönburg-Crimmitschau
(1380-?)
Bef. 14 March 1398
two children

Irmgard of Kirchberg-Kranichfeld
(d.aft.18 June 1462)
Bef.3 June 1414
five children  | 16 June 1426
Ústí nad Labem
aged 65-66
Inner Greiz annexed to Outer Greiz
Regency of Luitgard of Kranichfeld (1370–1387) | Also Lord of Königswart. In 1357 absorbed Mühltroff.
Henry VIII the Younger [de] |  | 1362
Son of Henry VI [bg] and Luitgard of Kranichfeld | 1370–1413 | Lordship of Plauen | Anna of Riesenburg
(1366-Aft.1411)
1383/86
two children  | 1413
aged 50-51
Henry VII [bg] |  | 3 May 1341
First son of Henry V and Matilda of Schwarzburg-Käfernburg | 8 December 1377 – 1420 | Lordship of Gera | Elisabeth of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg
(1341–1399/1401)
4 December 1367
two children

Lutrud of Hohnstein-Heringen
(1372-24 April 1446)
23 October 1401
Eltville
six children  | 1420
aged 78-79 | Brother of Henry VI, succeeded his father.
Henry XV [bg][13] |  | 1366
Son of Henry XIV [bg] and Margaret of Uttenhofen | 13 March 1389 – 1404 | Lordship of Weida | Anna
(d.c.1415)
four children  | 1404
aged 37-38 | Son of Henry XIV, co-ruled with his father since his uncle's death in 1373.
Henry XVI the Elder [bg] |  | 1390
First son of Henry XV [bg] and Anna | 1404–1454  | Lordship of Weida | Anna
(1396-Aft.14 April 1442)
Bef.1415
no children  | 1454
aged 63-64 | Children of Henry XV, ruled jointly.
Henry XVII the Middle |  | c.1395
Second son of Henry XV [bg] and Anna | 1404–1426 | Anna of Dahme
(1396-3 October 1414)
1405/06
no children  | 1426
aged 30-31
Henry XVIII the Younger [bg] |  | 1396
Third son of Henry XV [bg] and Anna | 1404 – 27 June 1462 | Elisabeth of Dahme
(1410-?)
four children  | 27 June 1462
aged 65-66
Henry I [de][14] |  | c.1380
Son of Henry VIII [de] and Anna of Riesenburg | 1413 – 28 December 1446 | Lordship of Plauen
(with Burgraviate of Meissen) | Margaret of Dahme
(1390-Aft.2 September 1412)
Bef.3 July 1410
four children

Katharina of Sternberg
(1400-?)
no children

Anna Holitz of Sternberg
(1413-?)
8 January 1441
no children  | 28 December 1446
Eger
aged 65-66 | Received the title of Burgrave of Meissen, which motivated a new restart on the Plauen line numbering of rulers.
Henry VIII the Elder [bg] |  | 2 March 1404
First son of Henry VII [bg] and Lutrud of Hohnstein-Heringen | 1420–1426 | Lordship of Gera
(at Burgk from 1425) | Margaret of Wertheim
(d. Bef. 23 October 1424)
30 August 1412
Kronach
no children

Williburg of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg
(d. Aft. 1426)
Bef.2 May 1426
no children  | 16 June 1426
Ústí nad Labem
aged 22 | Children of Henry VII, ruled jointly until 1425, dividing then the land, but it was quickly reunited under Henry IX. His sons would officially divide the land.
Henry IX the Middle [bg] |  | 14 January 1406
Second son of Henry VII [bg] and Lutrud of Hohnstein-Heringen | 1420–1452  | Lordship of Lobenstein | Matilda of Schwarzburg-Wachsenburg
(1409-Aft.4 August 1456)
1435/39
eight children  | 1482
aged 75-76
1452–1482 | Lordship of Gera
Henry X the Younger [bg] |  | 11 October 1415
Third son of Henry VII [bg] and Lutrud of Hohnstein-Heringen | 1420–1452 | Lordship of Schleiz | Anna of Henneberg-Römhild
(1424-Aft.16 November 1467)
1439/40
five children  | 1452
Prague
aged 36-37
Lobenstein and Schleiz briefly annexed to Gera
Henry IX the Elder [bg] |  | 1410
Son of Henry VII [bg] and Matilda of Schönburg-Crimmitschau | 1455–1476 | Lordship of Greiz | Magdalena of Schwarzenberg
(1277-Aft.10 May 1329)
1443
ten children  | 1476
aged 65-66 | Children of Henry VII, ruled jointly.
Henry X the Younger |  | 1424
Son of Henry VII [bg] and Irmgard of Kirchberg-Kranichfeld | 1455 – 17 March 1462 | Lordship of Greiz
(at Kranichfeld) | Unmarried | 17 March 1462
aged 37-38
Kranichfeld reabsorbed into Greiz
Henry II [de] |  | 1417
Son of Henry I [de] and Margaret of Dahme | 28 December 1446 – 1484 | Lordship of Plauen
(with Burgraviate of Meissen) | Anna-Agnes of Anhalt-Zerbst
(1433-8 April 1492)
1456/61
(annulled bef.1467)
no children

Anna of Bünau
(1430-Aft.1480)
seven children  | 1484
aged 66-67 | Children of Henry I, divided their inheritance. In 1466, part of lordship of Plauen (the part over the Ämter of Plauen and Voigtsberg), was given to the Saxon elector, Ernest as a Bohemian enfeoffment. However, Henry II still retained a part of Plauen.
Margaret |  | 1419
Daughter of Henry I [de] and Margaret of Dahme | 28 December 1446 – 1466 | Lordship of Plauen
(in Königswart) | Heinrich Kruschina of Schwamberg
(d.1479)
c.1435
no children  | 1466
aged 46-47
Königswart inherited by the Schwamberg family
Henry XIX [bg][15] |  | c.1440?
Son of Henry XVIII [bg] and Elisabeth of Dahme | 27 June 1462 – 1512  | Lordship of Weida | Agnes Schenk of Landsberg
(d.1512)
five children  | 1512
aged 71-72? | From 1480, Henry XIX associated his sons in a co-rulership.
Henry XX the Elder |  | 1466
First son of Henry XIX [bg] and Agnes Schenk of Landsberg | 1480 – 2 May 1507  | Unmarried | 2 May 1507
aged 40-41
Henry XXI the Middle |  | 1468
Second son of Henry XIX [bg] and Agnes Schenk of Landsberg | 1480–1510  | 1510
aged 41-42
Henry XI the Elder [bg] |  | 1455
First son of Henry IX [bg] and Magdalena of Schwarzenberg | 1476–1502 | Lordship of Greiz | Catherine of Gera
(1475-Aft.23 May 1505)
2 July 1496
two children  | 1502
aged 46-47 | Children of Henry IX, ruled jointly. Henry XIII dropped the co-rulership in 1485, but returned to rule alone in 1529, after the death of Henry XI and abdication of Henry XII.
Henry XII the Middle [bg] |  | 1459
Second son of Henry IX [bg] and Magdalena of Schwarzenberg | 1476–1529 | Lordship of Greiz
(at Kranichfeld until 1502) | Catherine of Gleichen-Remda
(d. Aft.1509)
5 February 1488
two children  | 1539
aged 79-80
Henry XIII the Silent [bg] |  | 1464
Third son of Henry IX [bg] and Magdalena of Schwarzenberg | 1476–1485

1529 – 8 June 1535 | Lordship of Greiz | Anna Dorothea of Colditz
(1484-?)
Bef.14 February 1506
two children

Amalia of Outer Mansfeld
(1506-Aft.1557)
seven children  | 8 June 1535
Greiz
aged 70-71
Kranichfeld reabsorbed in Greiz
Henry XI the Elder |  | 1436
First son of Henry IX [bg] and Matilda of Schwarzburg-Wachsenburg | 1482–1502 | Lordship of Gera | Unmarried | 25 September 1508
Gera
aged 71-72 | Children of Henry IX, divided the land. However, Henry XIII died soon after and Henry XII acquired his land. Henry XI would sell his part to his nephews Henry XIV and Henry XV in 1502.
Henry XII the Middle [bg] |  | 1438
Second son of Henry IX [bg] and Matilda of Schwarzburg-Wachsenburg | 1482 – 26 August 1500 | Lordship of Schleiz | Hedwig of Mansfeld-Rammelburg [bg]
five children  | 26 August 1500
aged 61-62
Henry XIII the Younger |  | 1439
Third son of Henry IX [bg] and Matilda of Schwarzburg-Wachsenburg | 1482 – 1489 | Lordship of Lobenstein | Unmarried | 1489
aged 49-50
Gera and Lobenstein annexed to Schleiz
Henry III [de] |  | 1453
Son of Henry II [de] and Anna of Bünau | 1484 – 28 August 1519 | Lordship of Plauen
(with Burgraviate of Meissen in 1484) | Matilda of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg
(1457–1492)
18 February 1478
Königswart
two children

Barbara of Anhalt-Köthen
(1485–1532/33)
25 November 1503
Waldmünchen
three children  | 28 August 1519
aged 34-35 | Finally renounced his claims in favour of the House of Wettin, but still retained the right for himself and his descendants to bear the title of Burgrave of Meissen, which conferred on him a voice at the Imperial Diet. This was confirmed to him by Emperor Frederick III in a 1490 document.
Henry XIV the Elder [bg] |  | 1471
First son of Henry XII [bg] and Hedwig of Mansfeld-Rammelburg [bg] | 26 August 1500 – 12 April 1538  | Lordship of Schleiz | Magdalena of Minitz-Lischkow
(1469/74–1510/15)
Bef. 19 September 1502
three children

Anna of Beichlingen
(d. 30 July 1571)
1515
no children  | 12 April 1538
Bad Lobenstein
aged 66-67 | Children of Henry XII, ruled jointly. They bought Gera from his uncle in 1502, but lost it in 1547 to Plauen. Both left no heirs, and their remaining domains were also absorbed by Plauen.
Henry XV the Younger [bg] |  | 1476
Second son of Henry XII [bg] and Hedwig of Mansfeld-Rammelburg [bg] | 26 August 1500 – 17 August 1550 | Ludmilla of Lobkowicz-Hassenstein
(d.1532)
24 October 1510
no children

Margaret
(d.Bef. 11 September 1549)
no children

Margaret of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg
(1530–18 March 1559)
6 May 1550
no children  | 17 August 1550
Burgk
aged 73-74
Schleiz annexed to Plauen (1550–1562)
Henry XXII the Younger [bg] |  | 1470
Third son of Henry XIX [bg] and Agnes Schenk of Landsberg | 1512 – 5 March 1531 | Lordship of Weida | Margaret, Countess of Mansfeld-Aseleben
(1458-20 February 1531)
bef.1493
one child  | 5 March 1531
Wildenfels
aged 60-61 | Co-ruled with his father and brothers since 1480.
Weida (with exceptions) annexed to Plauen
Regencies of Barbara of Anhalt-Köthen (1519-21) and Zdenko Leo Rosenthal, High Burgrave of Bohemia (1521-24) |
Henry IV |  | 24 August 1510
Burg Hartenštejn [de]
Son of Henry III [de] and Barbara of Anhalt-Köthen | 28 August 1519 – 19 May 1554 | Lordship of Plauen | Margaret of Salm-Neuburg
(1517–19 March 1573)
29 August 1532
two children  | 19 May 1554
Stadtsteinach
aged 43
Margaret |  | c.1500
Daughter of Henry XXII [bg] and Margaret, Countess of Mansfeld-Aseleben | 5 March 1531 – 1569 | Lordship of Weida
(at Wildenfels) | John Henry, Count of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg [bg]
13 January 1527
nine children  | 1569
aged 60-61 | Inherited Wildenfels from her father, which passed through her inheritance to the House of Schwarzburg.
Wildenfels annexed to Schwarzburg-Leutenberg
Henry XIV / I the Elder [bg] |  | 1506
Son of Henry XIII [bg] and Anna Dorothea of Colditz | 8 June 1535 – 1547

1562 – 22 March 1572 | Lordship of Greiz

Lordship of Lower Greiz
(Elder Line) | Barbara of Matsch
(1507-April 1580)
10 June 1524
eleven children  | 22 March 1572
Greiz
aged 65-66 | Children of Henry XIII, ruled jointly. After recovering the Reuss territories from their cousins from Plauen (who would eventually annex in 1572), the brothers divided the land. Henry XIV became the progenitor of the Reuss Elder Line, Henry XV the forefather the Reuss Middle Line and Henry XVI as founder of the Reuss Younger Line. The Elder and Younger Lines restarted their numberings.
Henry XV the Middle [bg] |  | 8 November 1525
Plauen
First son of Henry XIII [bg] and Amalia of Outer Mansfeld | 8 June 1535 – 1547

1562 – 22 June 1578 | Lordship of Greiz

Lordship of Upper Greiz
(Middle Line I) | Maria Salomea of Oettingen-Oettingen [bg]
27 October 1560
Weimar
four children  | 22 June 1578
Greiz
aged 52
Henry XVI / I the Younger [bg] |  | 29 November 1530
Second son of Henry XIII [bg] and Amalia of Outer Mansfeld | 8 June 1535 – 1547  | Lordship of Greiz | Elisabeth Brigitte of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg
(1534-23 June 1564)
1556
three children

Dorothea of Solms-Laubach [bg]
6 January 1566
Zeitz
three children  | 6 April 1572
Schleiz
aged 41
1562 – 6 April 1572 | Lordship of Gera
(Younger Line)
Greiz annexed to Plauen (1547–1562)
Henry V the Elder |  | 9 October 1533
Andělská Hora
First son of Henry IV and Margaret of Salm-Neuburg | 19 May 1554 – 24 December 1568 | Lordship of Plauen | Dorothea Catherine of Brandenburg-Ansbach
2 February 1556
Gera or Ansbach
four children  | 24 December 1568
Hof
aged 35 | Children of Henry IV, ruled jointly. After Henry VI's death, the Plauen line went extinct, as the children of Henry V died all in infancy. The land of Plauen was annexed to Greiz.
Henry VI the Younger |  | 29 December 1536
Meissen
Second son of Henry IV and Margaret of Salm-Neuburg | 19 May 1554 – 22 January 1572 | Lordship of Plauen | Catherine of Brunswick-Gifhorn [bg]
9 April 1564
Fallersleben
no children

Anna of Pomerania-Stettin [pl]
27 August 1566
Stettin
no children  | 22 January 1572
Schleiz
aged 36
Plauen (with exceptions) annexed to Greiz
Anna of Pomerania-Stettin [pl] |  | 5 February 1531
Stettin
Daughter of Barnim IX, Duke of Pomerania-Stettin and Anna of Brunswick-Lüneburg | 22 January 1572 – 1590 | Lordship of Plauen
(at Schleiz, Saalburg and Burgk) | Karl I, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst
16 May 1557
Zerbst
no children

Henry VI
27 August 1566
Stettin
no children

Jobst III, Count of Barby-Mühlingen
(8 May 1544 - 9 August 1609)
23 September 1576
Schleiz
no children  | 13 October 1592
Groß Rosenburg
aged 61 | Widow of Henry VI, got involved in a conflict with her husband's family concerning her widow lands. The dispute lasted until 1590, when she finally agreed in returning the properties, in exchange of a sum of 42 250 guilders.
Schleiz, Saalburg and Burgk redivided between Reuss lines

From this point on, numerals are no longer sequential (if we exclude the Middle Line I, the first to be extinct). Remember the numberings once more:

* The Elder Line numbers every male member of the family (even the stillborn sons) in sequential order of birth until 100; the numbering restarts from there.
* The Younger Line numbers every male member of the family (even the stillborn sons) in sequential order of birth until the end of the century; the numbering restarts from the first child born in the new century.

Given these implications, a male ruler that succeeds his father and wasn't the first son skips numerals; that's why numerals are not sequential from this point on.

Henry II the Tall [bg] |  | 12 December 1543
Second son of Henry XIV / I [bg] and Barbara of Matsch | 22 March 1572 – 1596 | Lordship of Lower Greiz
(Elder Line) | Judith of Oettingen-Oettingen
(3 October 1544 – 4 November 1600)
21 September 1573
Oettingen
eight children

Anna of Middle Mansfeld
(1563-21 December 1636)
7 November 1601
Burgk
no children  | 24 May 1608
Burgk
aged 64 | Children of Henry XIV/I, divided the land. The younger two ruled jointly.
1596 – 24 May 1608 | Lordship of Burgk
Henry III |  | 1546
Third son of Henry XIV / I [bg] and Barbara of Matsch | 22 March 1572 – 1582 | Lordship of Lower Greiz
(Elder Line), (at Kranichfeld and Bad Lobenstein) | Unmarried | 1582
aged 35-36
Henry V [bg] |  | 4 November 1549
Zwickau
Fifth son of Henry XIV / I [bg] and Barbara of Matsch | 22 March 1572 – 9 October 1604 | Lordship of Lower Greiz
(Elder Line) | Maria of Schönburg-Waldenburg
(29 August 1565 – 9 March 1628)
25 November 1583
Waldenburg
eleven children  | 9 October 1604
Greiz
aged 54
Kranichfeld and Lobenstein returned to Lower Greiz
Regency of Dorothea of Solms-Laubach [bg] (1572–1586) | Born two months after his father's death.
Henry II the Posthumous |  | 10 June 1572
Gera
Son of Henry XVI / I [bg] and Dorothea of Solms-Laubach [bg] | 10 June 1572 – 23 December 1635 | Lordship of Gera
(Younger Line) | Magdalena of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim-Langenburg
(28 December 1572 – 2 April 1596)
7 February 1594
Weikersheim
one child

Magdalena of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [fr]
22 May 1597
Rudolstadt
seventeen children  | 23 December 1635
Gera
aged 63
Henry XVII the Elder [bg] |  | 25 July 1561
Glauchau
First son of Henry XV [bg] and Maria Salomea of Oettingen-Oettingen [bg] | 22 June 1578 – 8 February 1607  | Lordship of Upper Greiz
(Middle Line I) | Jutta of Waldeck-Eisenberg
(12 November 1560 – 23 May 1621)
28 May 1583
Eisenberg
no children  | 8 February 1607
Greiz
aged 45 | Children of Henry XV, ruled jointly. Henry XVIII dropped the co-rulership, but returned to government after the death of his brother.
Henry XVIII the Middle [bg] |  | 28 February 1563
Weida
Second son of Henry XV [bg] and Maria Salomea of Oettingen-Oettingen [bg] | 22 June 1578 – 1597

8 February 1607 – 16 January 1616 | Agnes Maria of Erbach [bg]
5 May 1593
Greiz
no children  | 16 January 1616
Schleiz
aged 52
Upper Greiz (Middle Line I) annexed to Lower Greiz (Elder Line)
Regency of Maria of Schönburg-Waldenburg (1604–1616) | Children of Henry V, divided their inheritance. Henry IV took the land of Upper Greiz (which was ruled by the original Middle Line (I) descended from Henry XV) and founded a new Reuss Middle Line (II). Henry V took over the entire Upper Greiz following is elder brother Henry III's death in 1609.
Henry III |  | 12 December 1594
Third son of Henry V [bg] and Maria of Schönburg-Waldenburg | 9 October 1604 – 12 September 1609 | Lordship of Lower Greiz
(Elder Line) | Unmarried | 12 September 1609
Jena
aged 14
Henry IV the Middle [bg] |  | 11 March 1597
Dolau
Fourth son of Henry V [bg] and Maria of Schönburg-Waldenburg | 9 October 1604 – 25 August 1629 | Lordship of Upper Greiz
(Middle Line II)[16] | Elisabeth Juliane of Salm-Neufville
(1602–14 May 1653)
May 1624
Arolsen
four children  | 25 August 1629
Greiz
aged 32
Henry V [bg] |  | 4 December 1602
Greiz
Fifth son of Henry V [bg] and Maria of Schönburg-Waldenburg | 9 October 1604 – 7 March 1667 | Lordship of Lower Greiz
(Elder Line) | Anna Marie of Salm-Neufville
(10 August 1606 – 20 November 1651)
28 November 1630
Greiz
eight children  | 7 March 1667
Greiz
aged 64
Henry II [bg] |  | 30 December 1575
Greiz
Second son of Henry II [bg] and Judith of Oettingen-Oettingen | 24 May 1608 – 6 September 1639  | Lordship of Burgk
(Elder Line) | Magdalene of Putbus
(21 February 1590 – 12 January 1665)
29 September 1609
Burgk
nine children  | 6 September 1639
Burgk
aged 63 | Children of Henry II the Tall, divided the land. Henry III joined Henry II in a co-rulership, while Henry IV ruled from Dolau.
Henry III [bg] |  | 22 December 1578
Greiz
Third son of Henry II [bg] and Judith of Oettingen-Oettingen | 24 May 1608 – 24 January 1616 | Anna Magdalena von Schönburg-Waldenburg
(1 February 1582 – 7 January 1615)
21 February 1602
Gera
three children  | 24 January 1616
Gefel
aged 37
Henry IV [bg] |  | 9 December 1580
Greiz
Fourth son of Henry II [bg] and Judith of Oettingen-Oettingen | 24 May 1608 – 3 January 1636 | Lordship of Burgk
(at Dolau)
(Elder Line) | Anna Genoveva of Stolberg-Stolberg
(3 February 1580 – 18 December 1635)
1626
no children  | 3 January 1636
Dolau
aged 55
Dolau annexed to Upper Greiz
Regency of Elisabeth Juliane of Salm-Neufville (1629–1641) | In 1673 he was elevated to Count.
Henry I the Elder [bg] |  | 3 May 1627
Greiz
Son of Henry IV [bg] and Elisabeth Juliane of Salm-Neufville | 25 August 1629 – 8 March 1681 | Lordship of Upper Greiz
(1629–73)

County of Upper Greiz
(1673–81)
(Middle Line II) | Sibylle Magdalene of Kirchberg
(24 July 1624 – 24 February 1667)
10 August 1648
Schleiz
eleven children

Sibylle Juliane of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt
(20 July 1646 – 5 April 1698)
2 April 1688
Greiz
eight children  | 8 March 1681
Greiz
aged 53
Henry II the Other [bg] | ´  | 14 August 1602
Gera
Second son of Henry II and Magdalena of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [fr] | 23 December 1635 – 28 May 1670 | Lordship of Gera
(Younger Line) | Catherine Elisabeth of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
(28 August 1617 – 17 January 1701)
23 November 1642
Gera
eight children  | 28 May 1670
Gera
aged 67 | Children of Henry II the Posthumous, ruled jointly until 1647, and then divided the land. Henry IX left no heirs and was succeeded by Henry III's sons.
Henry III [fr] |  | 31 October 1603
Gera
Third son of Henry II and Magdalena of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [fr] | 23 December 1635 – 12 July 1640 | Lordship of Gera
(at Saalburg)
(Younger Line) | Elisabeth Juliane of Salm-Neufville
(1602 - 14 May 1653)
23 November 1642
Gera
eight children  | 12 July 1640
Karlsbad
aged 36
Henry IX |  | 22 May 1616
Schraplau
Ninth son of Henry II and Magdalena of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [fr] | 23 December 1635 – 9 January 1666 | Lordship of Schleiz
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 9 January 1666
Schleiz
aged 49
Henry X |  | 9 September 1621
Gera
Tenth son of Henry II and Magdalena of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [fr] | 23 December 1635 – 25 January 1671 | Lordship of Lobenstein
(Younger Line) | Maria Sibylle Reuss of Upper Greiz [fr]
24 October 1647
Schleiz
four children  | 25 January 1671
Bad Lobenstein
aged 49
Schleiz absorbed into Saalburg
Henry III |  | 15 September 1616
Hof
Son of Henry II [bg] and Magdalene of Putbus | 6 September 1639 – 7 June 1640 | Lordship of Burgk
(Elder Line) | Unmarried | 7 June 1640
Burgk
aged 23 | Left no heirs. Burgk returned briefly to Lower Greiz.
Burgk annexed to Lower Greiz
Regency of Elisabeth Juliane of Salm-Neufville and Henry II, Lord of Gera [bg] (1640–1653) | Received Saalburg from his father, and inherited Schleiz in 1666. In 1673 he was elevated to Count.
Henry I [fr] |  | 26 March 1639
Schleiz
Son of Henry III, Lord of Gera [fr] and Elisabeth Juliane of Salm-Neufville | 12 July 1640 – 9 January 1666  | Lordship of Gera
(at Saalburg)
(Younger Line) | Esther of Hardegg-Glatz-Machlande
(6 December 1634 – 21 September 1676)
9 February 1662
Vienna
eight children

Maximiliane of Hardegg-Glatz-Machlande
(16 March 1644 – 27 August 1678)
22 October 1677
Regensburg
one child

Anna Elisabeth of Sinzendorf
(12 May 1659 – 8 October 1683)
16 May 1680
Asch
three children  | 18 March 1692
Bad Köstritz
aged 52
9 January 1666 –18 March 1692 | Lordship of Schleiz
(1666–73)

County of Schleiz
(1673-92)
(Younger Line)
Henry II [bg] |  | 8 January 1634
Greiz
Second son of Henry V [bg] and Anna Marie of Salm-Neufville | 7 March 1667 – 5 October 1697 | Lordship of Burgk
(1667–73)

County of Burgk
(1673–97)
(Elder Line) | Elisabeth Sibylle Reuss of Burgk
(15 September 1627 – 9 January 1703)
8 January 1655
Greiz
three children  | 5 October 1697
Gera
aged 63 | Children of Henry V, divided the land. This division saw a brief reappearance of Burgk, before being definitively annexed to Greiz.
Henry IV [bg] |  | 5 August 1638
Greiz
Fourth son of Henry V [bg] and Anna Marie of Salm-Neufville | 7 March 1667 – 21 February 1675 | Lordship of Lower Greiz
(1667–73)

County of Lower Greiz
(1673–75)
(Elder Line) | Anna Dorothea of Ruppa
(3 October 1651 – 17 June 1698)
31 October 1671
Greiz
eleven children  | 21 February 1675
Hechingen
aged 36
Henry V [bg] |  | 19 April 1645
Greiz
Fifth son of Henry V [bg] and Anna Marie of Salm-Neufville | 7 March 1667 – 12 February 1698 | Lordship of Lower Greiz
(at Rothenthal)
(1667–73)

County of Lower Greiz
(at Rothenthal)
(1673–98)
(Elder Line) | Angelique Desmier d'Olbreuse
(1637-5 October 1688)
15 February 1678
Celle
no children

Christiane of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Homburg
(10 January 1680 – 17 September 1724)
5 June 1697
Frankfurt am Main
no children  | 12 February 1698
Greiz
aged 52
Burgk and Rothenthal annexed to Lower Greiz
Henry IV [bg] |  | 13 March 1650
Gera
Son of Henry II [bg] and Catherine Elisabeth of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen | 28 May 1670 – 13 March 1686 | Lordship of Gera
(1670–73)

County of Gera
(1673–86)
(Younger Line) | Anna Dorothea of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
(18 August 1645 – 1 July 1716)
20 June 1672
Gera
eight children  | 13 March 1686
Gera
aged 36 |
Henry III [bg] |  | 16 December 1648
Bad Lobenstein
First son of Henry X and Maria Sibylle Reuss of Upper Greiz [fr] | 5 January 1671 – 24 May 1710  | Lordship of Lobenstein
(Younger Line) | Marie Christiane of Leiningen-Westerburg [bg]
22 October 1673
Bad Lobenstein
fourteen children  | 24 May 1710
Gera
aged 61 | Children of Henry X, divided once more the land.
Henry V |  | 18 May 1650
Bad Lobenstein
Second son of Henry X and Maria Sibylle Reuss of Upper Greiz [fr] | 5 January 1671 – 31 May 1672 | Unmarried | 31 May 1672
Wechselburg
aged 22
Henry VIII [bg] |  | 20 May 1652
Bad Lobenstein
Fourth son of Henry X and Maria Sibylle Reuss of Upper Greiz [fr] | 5 January 1671 – 29 October 1711 | Lordship of Lobenstein
(at Hirschberg)
(Younger Line) | Elisabeth of Bodenhausen
(27 June 1650 – 7 May 1687)
3 March 1679
Muhldorf
no children

Sophia Juliane Reuss of Upper Greiz
(25 December 1670 – 23 August 1696)
19/26 July 1688
Schleiz
no children  | 29 October 1711
Hirschberg
aged 59
Henry X |  | 29 November 1662
Bad Lobenstein
Sixth son of Henry X and Maria Sibylle Reuss of Upper Greiz [fr] | 25 January 1671 – 10 June 1711 | Lordship of Ebersdorf
(1671–73)

County of Ebersdorf
(1673–1711)
(Younger Line) | Erdmuthe Benigna of Solms-Laubach [de]
20 November 1694
Laubach
eight children  | 10 June 1711
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
aged 48
Hirschberg reabsorbed into Lobenstein
Regency of Anna Dorothea of Ruppa (1675–1686) | Children of Henry IV, ruled jointly.
Henry XIII [bg] |  | 29 September 1672
Oppurg
First son of Henry IV [bg] and Anna Dorothea of Ruppa | 21 February 1675 – 14 April 1733  | County of Lower Greiz
(Elder Line) | Sophie Elisabeth of Stolberg-Wernigerode
(6 February 1676 – 14 November 1729)
14 August 1697
Ilsenburg
thirteen children  | 14 April 1733
Greiz
aged 60
Henry XIV |  | 14 January 1674
Burgk
Second son of Henry IV [bg] and Anna Dorothea of Ruppa | 21 February 1675 – 20 January 1682 | Unmarried | 20 January 1682
Lüneburg
aged 8
Henry VI [de] |  | 7 August 1649
Greiz
Son of Henry I [bg] and Sibylle Magdalene of Kirchberg | 8 March 1681 – 11 October 1697  | County of Upper Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Amalie Juliane Reuss of Lower Greiz
(4 October 1636 – 25 December 1688)
29 July 1674
Forst
one child

Henriette Amalie of Friesen [de]
3 May 1691
Leipzig
three children  | 11 October 1697
Szeged
aged 48 | Children of Henry I, divided their inheritance; Henry VI and Henry XV formed a co-rulership in Greiz, while Henry XVI ruled from Dolau. The latter left no heirs, and Dolau was reabsorbed in Greiz.
Henry XV |  | 2 January 1676
Greiz
Second son of Henry I [bg] and Sibylle Juliane of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt | 8 March 1681 – 29 September 1690  | Unmarried | 29 September 1690
Greiz
aged 14
Henry XVI |  | 3 November 1678
Arnstadt
Third son of Henry I [bg] and Sibylle Juliane of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt | 8 March 1681 – 24 April 1698 | County of Upper Greiz
(at Dolau)
(Middle Line II) | 24 April 1698
Greiz
aged 19
Dolau annexed to Upper Greiz
Regency of Anna Dorothea of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen and Henry I, Count of Reuss-Schleiz (1686-1691) | Left no heirs. He was succeeded by his brother.
Henry XVIII [bg] |  | 21 March 1677
Gera
Fourth son of Henry IV [bg] and Anna Dorothea of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen | 13 March 1686 – 25 November 1735 | County of Gera
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 25 November 1735
Gera
aged 58
Henry XI [bg] |  | 12/29 April 1669
Schleiz
Son of Henry I [fr] and Esther of Hardegg-Glatz-Machlande | 18 March 1692 – 28 July 1726 | County of Schleiz
(Younger Line) | Johanna Dorothea of Tattenbach-Geilsdorf
(13 March 1675 – 26 October 1714)
1 September 1692
Geilsdorf
one child

Augusta Dorothea of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
(2/3 January 1678 – 9 May 1740)
8 May 1715
Langenburg
two children  | 28 July 1726
Schleiz
aged 57 | Children of Henry I of Schleiz, divided their inheritance.
Henry XXIV |  | 26 July 1681
Schleiz
Son of Henry I [fr] and Anna Elisabeth of Sinzendorf | 18 March 1692 – 24 July 1748 | County of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Emilia Eleonora of Promnitz-Dittersbach [fr]
6 May 1704
Wrocław
twelve children  | 24 July 1748
Greiz
aged 66
Regency of Henriette Amalie of Friesen [de] (1697–1707) | Left no heirs, and died young. He was succeeded by his brother.
Henry I |  | 29 December 1693
Dresden
First son of Henry VI [de] and Henriette Amalie of Friesen [de] | 11 October 1697 – 7 September 1714 | County of Upper Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Unmarried | 7 September 1714
Paris
aged 20
Henry XV [es] |  | 24 September 1674
Bad Lobenstein
First son of Henry III [bg] and Marie Christiane of Leiningen-Westerburg [bg] | 24 May 1710 – 12 May 1739 | County of Lobenstein
(Younger Line) | Ernestine Eleonore von Schönburg-Waldenburg
(2 November 1677 – 2 August 1741)
21 July 1701
Waldenburg
fourteen children  | 12 May 1739
Bad Lobenstein
aged 64 | Children of Henry III of Lobenstein, divided the land.
Henry XXVI [bg] |  | 16 September 1681
Bad Lobenstein
Fifth son of Henry III [bg] and Marie Christiane of Leiningen-Westerburg [bg] | 24 May 1710 – 21 June 1730 | County of Lobenstein
(at Selbitz)
(Younger Line) | Juliane Rebecca of Tattenbach-Selbitz
(31 August 1692 – 10 September 1739)
31 March 1715
Selbitz
twelve children  | 21 June 1730
Selbitz
aged 48
Regency of Erdmuthe Benigna of Solms-Laubach [de] (1711–1713) |
Henry XXIX |  | 21 July 1699
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
Son of Henry X and Erdmuthe Benigna of Solms-Laubach [de] | 10 June 1711 – 22 May 1747 | County of Ebersdorf
(Younger Line) | Sophie Theodora of Castell-Remlingen
7 September 1721
Castell
thirteen children  | 22 May 1747
Herrnhaag
aged 47
Henry II [fr] |  | 4 February 1696
Dresden
Second son of Henry VI [de] and Henriette Amalie of Friesen [de] | 7 September 1714 – 17 November 1722 | County of Upper Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Charlotte Sophie of Bothmer [fr]
22 October 1715
Dresden
five children  | 17 November 1722
Greiz
aged 26 |
Regency of Charlotte Sophie of Bothmer [fr] (1722–1723) | Died as a child, and left no heirs. He was succeeded by his brother.
Henry IX |  | 31 December 1718
Greiz
Second son of Henry II [fr] and Charlotte Sophie of Bothmer [fr] | 17 November 1722 – 17 November 1723 | County of Upper Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Unmarried | 17 March 1723
Greiz
aged 5
Regency of Charlotte Sophie of Bothmer [fr] (1723–1734) | He was elevated to princely status in 1778.
Henry XI |  | 18 March 1722
Greiz
Fourth son of Henry II [fr] and Charlotte Sophie of Bothmer [fr] | 17 November 1723 – 28 June 1800 | County of Upper Greiz
(1723–78)

Principality of Greiz
(1778–1800)
(Middle Line II) | Conradine Eleonore Reuss of Köstritz [fr]
(22 December 1719 – 2 February 1770)
4 April 1743
Köstritz
eleven children

Christine Albertine of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Falkenburg
(25 November 1732 – 4 October 1809)
25 October 1770
Frankfurt am Main
no children  | 28 June 1800
Greiz
aged 78
Henry I [bg] |  | 10 March 1695
Schleiz
Son of Henry XI [bg] and Johanna Dorothea of Tattenbach-Geilsdorf | 28 July 1726 – 6 December 1744 | County of Schleiz
(Younger Line) | Juliane Dorothea of Löwenstein-Virneburg
(8 July 1694 – 15 February 1734)
7 March 1721
Gaildorf
three children  | 6 December 1744
Schleiz
aged 49 | Left no heirs. He was succeeded by his brother.
Henry XI |  | 31 December 1715
Selbitz
First son of Henry XXVI [bg] and Juliane Rebecca of Tattenbach-Selbitz | 21 June 1730 – 22 August 1745 | County of Lobenstein
(at Selbitz)
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 22 August 1745
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
aged 29 | Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Henry III [bg] |  | 26 January 1701
Greiz
Son of Henry XIII [bg] and Sophie Elisabeth of Stolberg-Wernigerode | 14 April 1733 – 17 March 1768 | County of Lower Greiz
(Elder Line) | Unmarried | 17 March 1768
Greiz | Left no descendants. After his death, the Lower Greiz Elder line went extinct.
Lower Greiz annexed to Upper Greiz
Henry XXV [de] |  | 27 August 1681
Gera
Seventh son of Henry IV [bg] and Anna Dorothea of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen | 25 November 1735 – 13 March 1748 | County of Gera
(Younger Line) | Justine Eleonore Sophie of Giech-Thurnau
(12 December 1698 - 1 February 1718)
21 February 1717
Thurnau
no children

Sophia Marie of the Palatinate-Gelnhausen
(5 April 1702 – 13 November 1761)
24 August 1722
Sondershausen
four children  | 13 March 1748
Gera
aged 66 |
Henry II |  | 19 July 1702
Bad Lobenstein
Son of Henry XV [es] and Ernestine Eleonore von Schönburg-Waldenburg | 12 May 1739 – 6 May 1782 | County of Lobenstein
(Younger Line) | Juliane Dorothea Charlotte of Hochberg-Fürstenstein
(10 June 1713 – 22 May 1757)
23 November 1735
Fürstenstein
two children  | 6 May 1782
Bad Lobenstein
aged 79 |
Henry XII [bg] |  | 15 May 1716
Schleiz
Son of Henry XI [bg] and Augusta Dorothea of Hohenlohe-Langenburg | 6 December 1744 – 25 January 1784 | County of Schleiz
(Younger Line) | Christine of Erbach-Schönberg
(5 May 1721 – 26 November 1769)
2 October 1742
Schönberg
five children

Christiane Ferdinandine of Isenburg-Philippseich
(24 August 1740 – 7 December 1822)
13 July 1770
Philippseich
two children  | 25 January 1784
Kirschkau
aged 67 |
Henry XIX |  | 16 October 1720
Selbitz
Third son of Henry XXVI [bg] and Juliane Rebecca of Tattenbach-Selbitz | 22 August 1745 – 1778 | County of Lobenstein
(at Selbitz)
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 30 November 1783
Selbitz
aged 53 | Abdicated of Selbitz, giving it to his nephew Henry LIV, who became ruler of Lobenstein.
Selbitz annexed to Lobenstein
Henry XXIV |  | 22 January 1724
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
Son of Henry XXIX and Sophie Theodora of Castell-Remlingen | 22 May 1747 – 13 May 1779 | County of Ebersdorf
(Younger Line) | Caroline Ernestine of Erbach-Schönberg
28 June 1754
Thurnau
seven children  | 13 May 1779
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
aged 55 |
Henry XXX [de] |  | 24 April 1727
Gera
Son of Henry XXV [de] and Sophia Marie of the Palatinate-Gelnhausen | 13 March 1748 – 26 April 1802 | County of Gera
(Younger Line) | Louise Christiane of the Palatinate-Gelnhausen [de]
28 October 1773
Hungen
no children  | 26 April 1802
Gera
aged 75 | Left no descendants. His property got divided between the other territories of the Younger Reuss line.
Gera divided between the other Younger Line territories
Henry VI |  | 1 July 1707
Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach
Second son of Henry XXIV and Emilia Eleonora of Promnitz-Dittersbach [fr] | 24 July 1748 – 1 May 1783 | Elder County of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Henrietta Juana Francisca Susanna Casado y Huguetan
(2 May 1725 – 6 January 1761)
16 September 1746
Copenhagen
seven children  | 1 May 1783
Bad Köstritz
aged 75 | Children of Henry XXIV, divided their inheritance and founded new lines: Henry VI founded the Elder County; Henry IX the Middle County and Henry XXIII the Younger County.
Henry IX |  | 15 September 1711
Bad Köstritz
Fifth son of Henry XXIV and Emilia Eleonora of Promnitz-Dittersbach [fr] | 24 July 1748 – 16 September 1780 | Middle County of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Amalie Esperance of Wartensleben-Flodroff
(17 March 1715 – 22 April 1787)
7 June 1743
Dorth (near Deventer)
nine children  | 16 September 1780
Berlin
aged 69
Henry XXIII [bg] |  | 9 December 1722
Bad Köstritz
Ninth son of Henry XXIV and Emilia Eleonora of Promnitz-Dittersbach [fr] | 24 July 1748 – 3 September 1787 | Younger County of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Ernestine Henriette of Schönburg-Forderglauchau
(2 December 1736 – 10 December 1768)
13 February 1754
Bad Köstritz
five children

Friederike Dorothea of Brandenstein
(7 December 1727 – 6 July 1807)
5 February 1780
Pölzig
no children  | 3 September 1787
Bad Köstritz
aged 64
Henry LI [de] |  | 16 May 1761
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
Son of Henry XXIV and Caroline Ernestine of Erbach-Schönberg | 13 May 1779 – 10 July 1822 | County of Ebersdorf
(1779–1806)

Principality of Ebersdorf
(1806–22)
(Younger Line) | Louise Henriette of Hoym
(30 March 1772 – 19 April 1832)
16 August 1791
Gera
three children  | 10 July 1822
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
aged 61 | In 1806 he was elevateed to princely status.
Henry XXXVIII |  | 9 October 1748
Berlin
Son of Henry IX and Amalie Esperance of Wartensleben-Flodroff | 16 September 1780 – 10 April 1835 | Middle County of Köstritz
(Younger Line)
(until 1806)

Middle Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line)
(from 1806) | Henriette Friederike Ottilie of Schmettow-Stonsdorf
(23 July 1753 – 19 August 1786)
17 July 1784
Wolfshagen
one child

Johanne Friederike Fletscher
(24 March 1756 – 28 June 1815)
13 February 1792
Schloss Baruth
no children  | 10 April 1835
Jänkendorf
aged 86 | Left no heirs, and was succeeded by his nephew.
Henry XXXV |  | 19 November 1738
Bad Lobenstein
Son of Henry II and Juliane Dorothea Charlotte of Hochberg-Fürstenstein | 6 May 1782 – 30 March 1805 | County of Lobenstein
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 30 March 1805
Paris
aged 66 | After his death the county fell to the dispossessed Selbitz line (since the loss of Selbitz in 1778).
Henry XLIII [de] |  | 12 April 1752
Copenhagen
Son of Henry VI and Henrietta Juana Francisca Susanna Casado y Huguetan | 1 May 1783 – 22 September 1814 | Elder County of Köstritz
(Younger Line)
(until 1806)

Elder Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line)
(from 1806) | Louise Christine Reuss of Ebersdorf
(2 June 1759 – 5 December 1840)
1 June 1781
Ebersdorf
five children  | 22 September 1814
Mannheim
aged 62 |
Henry XLII |  | 27 February 1752
Löhma
Son of Henry XII [bg] and Christine of Erbach-Schönberg | 25 January 1784 – 1806  | County of Schleiz
(Younger Line) | Caroline Henriette of Hohenlohe-Kirchberg
(11 June 1761 – 22 December 1849)
10 June 1779
Kirchberg an der Jagst
eight children  | 17 April 1818
Schleiz
aged 66 | One of the inheritors of Gera, in 1806 moved his capital there, and founded the Principality of Gera, being given the princely status in 1806.
1806 – 17 April 1818 | Principality of Gera
(Younger Line)
Henry XLVII [de] |  | 27 February 1756
Bad Köstritz
First son of Henry XXIII [bg]| and Ernestine Henriette of Schönburg-Forderglauchau | 3 September 1787 – 7 March 1833 | Younger County of Köstritz
(Younger Line)
(until 1806)

Younger Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line)
(from 1806) | Unmarried | 7 March 1833
Lichtenstein
aged 77 | Left no heirs and was succeeded by his brother.
Henry XIII |  | 16 February 1747
Greiz
Son of Henry XI and Conradine Eleonore Reuss of Köstritz [fr] | 28 June 1800 – 29 January 1817 | Principality of Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Louise Wilhelmine of Nassau-Weilburg
9 January 1786
Kirchheimbolanden
four children  | 29 January 1817
Greiz
aged 69 |
Henry LIV |  | 8 October 1767
Herrnhut
Son of Prince Henry (XXV) Reuss of Selbitz and Maria Elisabeth Reuss of Ebersdorf | 30 March 1805 – 17 May 1824 | County of Lobenstein
(1805–06)

Principality of Lobenstein
(1806–22)
(Younger Line) | Marie of Stolberg-Wernigerode
(4 May 1774 – 16 June 1810)
20 June 1803
Wernigerode
no children

Franziska Reuss of Köstritz
(7 December 1788 – 17 June 1843)
31 May 1811
Mannheim
no children  | 17 May 1824
Bad Lobenstein
aged 56 | Nephew of Henry XIX of Selbitz, became the heir of the main Lobenstein branch. He was elevated to princely status in 1806. Left no heirs.
Lobenstein annexed to Ebersdorf
Henry LXIV [de] |  | 31 March 1787
Bad Köstritz
Son of Henry XLIII [de] and Louise Christine Reuss of Ebersdorf | 22 September 1814 – 15 September 1856 | Elder Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 15 September 1856
Ernstbrunn
aged 69 | Left no heirs, and was succeeded by his cousin.
Henry XIX |  | 1 March 1790
Offenbach
Second son of Henry XIII and Louise Wilhelmine of Nassau-Weilburg | 29 January 1817 – 31 October 1836 | Principality of Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Gasparine of Rohan-Rochefort [fr]
7 January 1822
Prague
two children  | 31 October 1836
Greiz
aged 46 | Left no male heirs, and was succeeded by his brother.
Henry LXII |  | 31 May 1785
Schleiz
First son of Henry XLII and Caroline Henriette of Hohenlohe-Kirchberg | 17 April 1818 – 19 June 1854 | Principality of Gera
(Reuss Younger Line) | Unmarried | 19 June 1854
Schleiz
aged 69 | From 1848 onwards the Principality would be alternatively called Principality of the Reuss Younger Line, as it reunited most of the Reuss Younger Line lands. Left no heirs. He was succeeded by his brother.
Henry LXXII |  | 27 March 1797
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
Son of Henry LI [de] and Louise Henriette of Hoym | 10 July 1822 – 1848 | Principality of Ebersdorf
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 17 February 1853
Saalburg-Ebersdorf
aged 55 | Abdicated in 1848, due to civil unrest in connection with the revolutions that spread through Germany and elsewhere in Europe that year.[17]
Ebersdorf annexed to Schleiz
Henry XLIX |  | 16 October 1759
Bad Köstritz
Second son of Henry XXIII [bg] and Ernestine Henriette of Schönburg-Forderglauchau | 7 March 1833 – 29 February 1840 | Younger Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 29 February 1840
Ichtershausen | Left no heirs and was succeeded by his brother.
Henry LXIII |  | 18 June 1786
Berlin
Son of Prince Henry (XLIV) Reuss of Middle Köstritz [bg] and Wilhelmine Friederike von Geuder | 10 April 1835 – 27 September 1841 | Middle Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Eleonore of Stolberg-Wernigerode
(26 September 1801 – 14 March 1827)
21 February 1819
Wernigerode Castle
six children

Caroline of Stolberg-Wernigerode
(16 December 1806 – 26 August 1896)
11 May 1828
Wernigerode Castle
six children  | 27 September 1841
Stonsdorf
aged 55 | Nephew of Henry XXXVIII.
Henry XX |  | 29 June 1794
Offenbach
Third son of Henry XIII and Louise Wilhelmine of Nassau-Weilburg | 32 October 1836 – 8 November 1859 | Principality of Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Sophia Maria Theresa of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg
(18 September 1809 – 21 July 1838)
25 November 1834
Prague
no children

Caroline of Hesse-Homburg
1 October 1839
Bad Homburg
five children  | 8 November 1859
Greiz
aged 65 |
Henry LII [de] |  | 21 September 1763
Bad Köstritz
Third son of Henry XXIII [bg] and Ernestine Henriette of Schönburg-Forderglauchau | 29 February 1840 – 23 February 1851 | Younger Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 23 February 1851
Munich
aged 87 | Left no heirs and was succeeded by his nephew.
Henry IV [de] |  | 26 April 1821
Son of Henry LXIII and Eleonore of Stolberg-Wernigerode | 27 September 1841 – 25 July 1894 | Middle Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Louise Caroline Reuss of Greiz [fr]
27 December 1854
Greiz
nine children  | 25 July 1894
aged 73 |
Henry LXXIII |  | 31 July 1798
London
Son of Prince Henry (LV) Reuss of Younger Köstritz [bg] and Marie Justine of Watteville | 23 February 1851 – 16 January 1855 | Younger Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Unmarried | 16 January 1855
London
aged 56 | Nephew of Henry LII; Left no heirs and was succeeded by his nephew.
Henry LXVII |  | 20 October 1789
Schleiz
Second son of Henry XLII and Caroline Henriette of Hohenlohe-Kirchberg | 19 June 1854 – 11 July 1867 | Principality of Gera
(Reuss Younger Line) | Sophie Adelaide Reuss of Ebersdorf [de]
18 April 1820
Ebersdorf
eight children | Brother of Henry LXII.  | 11 July 1867
Gera
aged 77
Henry XVIII [de] |  | 14 May 1847
Leipzig
Son of Prince Henry (II) Reuss of Younger Köstritz [de] and Clothilde Charlotte Sophie of Castell-Castell | 18 January 1855 – 15 August 1911 | Younger Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Friederike Wilhelmine Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Schwerin [es]
17 November 1886
Schwerin
three children  | 15 August 1911
between Schweinfurt and Würzburg
aged 64 | Nephew of Henry LXXIII.
Henry LXIX [de] |  | 19 May 1792
Son of Prince Henry Reuss of Elder Köstritz [bg] and Henrietta Antonia of Schönburg-Forderglauchau | 15 September 1856 – 1 February 1878 | Elder Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Matilda Harriet Elizabeth Locke
(12 May 1804 – 29 December 1877)
5 November 1834
Florence
no children  | 1 February 1878
aged 85 | Nephew of Henry XLIII and cousin of Henry LXIV. The line went extinct after his death.
Elder Principality of Köstritz annexed to the Middle Principality of Köstritz
Regency of Caroline of Hesse-Homburg (1859–1867) |
Henry XXII |  | 28 March 1846
Greiz
Son of Henry XX and Caroline of Hesse-Homburg | 8 November 1859 – 19 April 1902 | Principality of Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Ida of Schaumburg-Lippe
8 October 1872
Bückeburg
six children  | 19 April 1902
Greiz
aged 56
Henry XIV |  | 28 May 1832
Coburg
Son of Henry LXVII and Sophie Adelaide Reuss of Ebersdorf [de] | 11 July 1867 – 29 March 1913 | Principality of Gera
(Reuss Younger Line) | Agnes of Württemberg
6 February 1858
Karlsruhe
two children

Friederike Gratz
(28 February 1851 – 22 May 1907)
14 February 1890
Gera
(morganatic)
one child  | 29 March 1913
Schleiz
aged 80 |
Henry XXIV |  | 8 December 1855
Trebschen
Son of Henry IV [de] and Louise Caroline Reuss of Greiz [fr] | 25 July 1894 – 2 October 1910 | Middle Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Emma Elisabeth Reuss of Middle Köstritz
(10 July 1860 – 2 December 1931)
27 May 1884
Jänkendorf
five children |  | 2 October 1910
Ernstbrunn
aged 54
Henry XXIV |  | 20 March 1878
Greiz
Son of Henry XXII and Ida of Schaumburg-Lippe | 19 April 1902 – 22 November 1918 | Principality of Greiz
(Middle Line II) | Unmarried | 13 October 1927
Greiz
aged 49 | Abolition of the monarchy in 1918. He remained as head of his branch of the family until his death. As he left no heirs, his titles passed to the Prince of Gera, Henry XXVII.
Henry XXXIX [de] |  | 23 July 1891
Ernstbrunn
Son of Henry XXIV and Emma Elisabeth Reuss of Middle Köstritz | 2 October 1910 – 22 November 1918 | Middle Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Antonia Emma Elisabeth of Castell-Castell
(18 April 1896 – 4 May 1971)
7 August 1918
Castell
six children  | 24 February 1946
Salzburg
aged 54 | Abolition of the monarchy in 1918. He remained as head of his branch of the family until his death.
Henry XXXVII [de] |  | 1 November 1888
Ludwigslust
Son of Henry XVIII [de] and Friederike Wilhelmine Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Schwerin [es] | 15 August 1911 – 22 November 1918 | Younger Principality of Köstritz
(Younger Line) | Frieda Mijotki
(25 September 1891 – 2 October 1957)
14 November 1922
Berlin
(morganatic,
annulled 21 February 1930)
no children

Stephanie Clemm of Hohenberg
(25 December 1900 – 10 February 1990)
7 August 1933
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
two children  | 9 February 1964
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
| Abolition of the monarchy in 1918. He remained as head of his branch of the family until his death.
Henry XXVII |  | 10 November 1858
Gera
Son of Henry XIV and Agnes of Württemberg | 29 March 1913 – 22 November 1918 | Principality of Gera
(Reuss Younger Line) | Elise of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
11 November 1884
Langenburg
five children  | 21 November 1928
Gera
| Abolition of the monarchy in 1918. He remained as head of his branch of the family until his death.

## Side branch member's links to Reichsbürger movement

[edit]

On 7 December 2022, German police conducted an operation which resulted in the arrest of 25 alleged members of the far-right group Reichsbürger, including a member of the Köstritz branch of the House of Reuss, identified as Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss. The suspects arrested in the operation were allegedly planning to overturn the existing German government, and instate Heinrich XIII as the new German de facto leader. His distant cousin Heinrich XIV Prince Reuss, the head and speaker of the House of Reuss and its family association, had previously referred to Heinrich XIII as "a confused old man who had been radicalised through disappointments". On behalf of the family association, which Heinrich XIII had left years ago, Heinrich XIV sharply distanced himself from him again after he was arrested, saying that "30 years ago he was a modern businessman, but nowadays he is fooled by all sorts of conspiracy theories". In the line of succession to the House of Reuss, Heinrich XIII only ranked 17th, and the head of the house called him "a marginal figure". He said his behaviour was a "catastrophe" for the family, whose heritage as tolerant and cosmopolitan rulers was now associated with "terrorists and reactionaries".[18] He believes Reuss' anti-government views derive from his resentment at the German judicial system for its failure to recognize his claims to family properties expropriated at the end of World War II.[19][20]

## In fiction

[edit]

A young Reuss count, sent to the 1815 Congress of Vienna, is the protagonist of the 1899 operetta Wiener Blut and the 1942 film based on it. Much of the hilarity of the film centers around his impossible name of "Reuss-Schleiz-Greiz".[citation needed]

## See also

[edit]

* Burgraves of Meissen
* Ríos (disambiguation)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Reuss". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
2. ^ See German article: Reuß-Köstritz.
3. ^ Between 1193 and 1427, these lords were also tenants (Vögtei).
4. ^ Mühltroff split off from Plauen between 1317 and 1380.
5. ^ Burgk, partitioned from the Lower Greiz Elder Line, was briefly reattached to Lower Greiz between 1640 and 1667. It is important to note that Dolau, a smaller lordship briefly partitioned from Burgk, was annexed to Upper Greiz.
6. ^ While the Elder and Middle Line (I) divided Greiz between themselves, Gera was retained exclusively by the Younger Line, and further divided.
7. ^ Greiz was divided between the Elder and Middle Lines. The Middle Line (I) was extinct in 1616, after which a new Middle Line (II) was created from the remaining Elder Line. The Elder Line kept Lower Greiz, and the new Middle Line (II) retained Upper Greiz. Both lines were promoted in 1673. In 1768, after the extinction of the Elder Line, the Middle Line (II) reunited all of Greiz.
8. ^ Selbitz split off from Lobenstein between 1710 and 1778.
9. ^ From 1748, Kostritz divided itself in three separate branches, also called Elder, Middle and Younger Lines. All of them were elevated to princely status in 1806. In 1848 the Elder Line was extinguished, and their possessions were inherited by the Middle Line.
10. ^ Albeit more commonly known as Principality of Reuss Younger Line, the capital in fact returned to Gera.
11. ^ Weida Urkundenbuch, 33, p. 12.
12. ^ a b The two brothers restarted their numberings, either possibly asserting a semi-independence for their respective feuds, or indicating the possession of new centers of power around Plauen and Gera, respectively. The same happened to Henry the Russian (son of Henry I of Plauen), lord in Greiz.
13. ^ Sometimes called Henry XVI, as Henry XII had a son who was also numbered Henry XV.
14. ^ Restarted his numbering after receiving the title of Burgrave of Meissen
15. ^ Sometimes called Henry XXI, as he had a elder brother numbered Henry XX.
16. ^ Henry IV and his descendants formed the second Middle Line, after the extinction of the first one in 1616, after Henry XVIII's death.
17. ^ "A German page describing the crisis which led to his abdication". thueringen.de. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
18. ^ "Haus Reuß schockiert über Vorgänge um Heinrich XIII" (in German). Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
19. ^ "Fürstenhaus Reuss distanziert sich von Weigelt-Gast Prinz Heinrich XIII". www.mdr.de (in German). Retrieved 2022-12-07.
20. ^ Baumgärtner, Maik (10 December 2022). "The Motley Crew that Wanted to Topple the German Government". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 11 December 2022.

## Sources

[edit]

* Thomas Gehrlein: Das Haus Reuß (The House of Reuss), volumes I-IV. Publisher: Börde-Verlag, Werl 2015, ISBN 978-3-9815864-6-6 or ISBN 978-3-9815864-7-3.
* Friedrich Majer: Chronik des Fürstlichen Hauses der Reussen von Plauen. (Chronicle of the Princely House Reuss of Plauen), Weimar and Leipzig 1811 (online version).
* Sigismund Stucke: Die Reußen und ihr Land. Die Geschichte einer süddeutschen Dynastie. (The Reuss and their country. The history of a southern German dynasty), St. Michael 1984, ISBN 3-7053-1954-X. reissue: publisher Arnshaugk Verlag, Neustadt 2022, ISBN 978-3-95930-252-4.
* Almanach de Gotha:
* Gothaischer Hofkalender 1781, Gotha 1780 (first publication).
* Gothaischer Hofkalender zum Nutzen und Vergnügen auf das Jahr 1792, C. W. Ettinger, Gotha 1791. online version
* Gothaischer Hofkalender 1877, Gotha 1876. online version
* Gothaischer Hofkalender 1894, Gotha 1893. online version
* Gothaisches Genealogisches Handbuch, Fürstliche Häuser (Gotha Genealogical Handbook −german article−, Princely Houses), 2015, 1. Abteilung (first department), vol 1 of the complete series of the GGH books, publisher: Verlag des Deutschen Adelsarchivs (Publisher of the German Nobility Archive), Marburg 2015, pp. 227–247; 628–634. ISBN 978-3-9817243-0-1.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to House of Reuss.

* "Reuss" . New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
* Family tree in German Wikipedia: Stammliste des Hauses Reuß

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