House of Oldenburg

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House of Oldenburg
Arms of the County of Oldenburg.svg
Country
List
Founded1101
FounderElimar I, Count of Oldenburg
Current headChristoph, Prince of Schleswig-Holstein[1][2]
Final ruler
Russia:
Nicholas II (1894–1917)
Sweden:
Charles XIII (1809–18)
Greece:
Constantine II (1964–1973)
Oldenburg:
Friedrich August II (1900–18)
Saxe-Lauenburg:
Christian IX (1863–64)
Schleswig and Holstein:
Christian IX (1863–64)
Titles
List
Connected families
Deposition
Russia:
February Revolution, 1917
Greece:
1974 Greek republic referendum, 1974
Oldenburg:
German Revolution, 1918
Saxe-Lauenburg:
Second Schleswig War, 1864
Schleswig and Holstein:
Second Schleswig War, 1864
Cadet branches
List

The House of Oldenburg is a European dynasty of North German/Danish origin. It is one of Europe's most influential royal houses, with branches that rule or have ruled in Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Schleswig, Holstein, and Oldenburg. The current Queen of Denmark and King of Norway, the former King of Greece, the consort of the monarch of the United Kingdom, as well as the first fourteen persons in the line of succession to the British throne, are all patrilineal members of the Glücksburg branch of this house.

The dynasty rose to prominence when Count Christian I of Oldenburg was elected as King of Denmark in 1448, of Norway in 1450 and of Sweden in 1457. The house has occupied the Danish throne ever since.

History[edit]

Marriages of medieval counts of Oldenburg had paved the way for their heirs to become kings of various Scandinavian kingdoms. Through marriage with a descendant of King Valdemar I of Sweden and of King Eric IV of Denmark, a claim to Sweden and Denmark was staked, since 1350.

At that time, its competitors were the successors of Margaret I of Denmark. In the 15th century, the Oldenburg heir of that claim married Hedwig of Schauenburg, a descendant of Euphemia of Sweden and Norway and also a descendant of Eric V of Denmark and Abel of Denmark. Since descendants better situated in genealogical charts died out, their son Christian (the abovementioned) became the king of all three kingdoms of the whole Kalmar Union. The House of Mecklenburg was its chief competitor regarding the Northern thrones, and other aspirants included the Duke of Lauenburg. Different Oldenburgine branches have reigned in several countries. The House of Oldenburg was briefly poised to claim the British thrones through the marriage of Queen Anne and Prince George of Denmark and Norway; however, due to the early deaths of all their children, the crown passed to the House of Hanover.

Main line[edit]

  • Kings of Denmark (1448–1863)
  • Kings of Norway (1450–1814)
  • Kings of Sweden (1457–64, 1497–1501 and 1520–21)
  • Counts of Oldenburg (1101–1773)
  • Dukes of Schleswig and Counts of Holstein (1460–1544)
  • Dukes of Schleswig and Holstein, ruling only part of the Duchies (1544–1721/1773)
  • Dukes of Schleswig (1721–1864, ruling the entire Duchy)
  • Dukes of Holstein (1773–1864, ruling the entire Duchy)

Branches[edit]

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser, Band XVII, "Oldenburg". C.A. Starke Verlag, 2004, pp. 44-50 (in German). ISBN 9783798008335.
  2. ^ Burke's Royal Families of the World, p. 60. ISBN 0-85011-023-8.
  3. ^ Royal Styles and Titles – 1960 Letters Patent
  4. ^ Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser, Band XVI, "Haus Holstein". C.A. Starke Verlag, 2001, pp. 44-50 (in German). ISBN 3-7980-0824-8.

External links[edit]

House of Oldenburg
Preceded by
House of Romanov 		Imperial house of Russia
1762–1917 		Vacant
Preceded by
House of Wittelsbach 		Royal house of Greece
1863–1973 		Monarchy abolished
Preceded by
House of Palatinate-Neumarkt 		Royal house of Denmark
1448–present 		Present house
(branch: Glücksburg)
Preceded by
House of Bernadotte 		Royal house of Norway
1905–present
Vacant
Title last held by
House of Bonde 		Royal house of Norway
1450–1818 		Succeeded by
House of Bernadotte
Royal house of Sweden
1457–1464 		Vacant
Title next held by
House of Bonde
Royal house of Sweden
1497–1501 		Vacant
Vacant Royal house of Sweden
1520–1521 		Vacant
Title next held by
House of Vasa
Preceded by
House of Schaumburg 		Comital House of Holstein
1460–1474 		County raised to duchy
Ducal house of Schleswig
1474–1864 		Second Schleswig War
County raised to duchy Ducal House of Holstein
1474–1864
Vacant
Title last held by
House of Hanover 		Ducal House of Saxe-Lauenburg
1814–1864 		Vacant
Title next held by
House of Hohenzollern
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