Monarchy of Mecklenburg
State
Grand ducal coat of arms
of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Frederick Francis IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Details
StyleHis Royal Highness
First monarchNiklot
Last monarchFrederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Formation1130
Abolition1918
AppointerHereditary
Pretender(s)Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg

This list of dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg dates 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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 Treaty of Hamburg (1701) into Mecklenburg-Schwerin (III) and Mecklenburg-Strelitz.[1][4] However, the dynasty always retained feudal rights to the entire fief and the rulers of both parts of the country always had identical titles,[4] 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.[1] 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).[5]

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").[5]

The Land of the Obotrites

As allies of the Carolingian kings and the empire of their Ottonian successors, the Obotrites fought from 808 to 1200 against the kings of Denmark, who wished to rule the Baltic region independently of the empire. When opportunities arose, for instance upon the death of an emperor, they would seek to seize power; and in 983 Hamburg was destroyed by the Obotrites under their king, Mstivoj. At times they levied tribute from the Danes and Saxons. Under the leadership of Niklot, they resisted a Christian assault during the Wendish Crusade.

The Limes Saxoniae forming the border between the Saxons to the west and the Obotrites to the east

German missionaries such as Vicelinus converted the Obotrites to Christianity. In 1170 they acknowledged the suzerainty of the Holy Roman Empire, leading to Germanisation and assimilation over the following centuries. The ruling clan of the Obotrites kept its power throughout the Germanisation and ruled their country (except of a short interruption in Thirty Years' War) as House of Mecklenburg until the end of monarchies in Germany in November Revolution 1918.

List of Obotrite leaders

Niklot (1090 – 1160) chief of the Obotrite confederacy
Ruler Reign Notes
Witzlaus  ?–ca. 795
Thrasco  ?–ca. 795-810
Slavomir (de)  ?–810-819 Ally of the Frankish Empire. In 816, he joined the rebellion of the Sorbs. Eventually captured and abandoned by his own people, being replaced by Ceadrag in 818.
Ceadrag (de) 819 - after 826 Ally of the Frankish Empire. He rebelled against the Franks with alliance with the Danes, but later was reconciled with Franks.
Selibur
Nako 954-966 Nako and his brother Stoigniew were defeated at the Raxa river (955) by Otto I, after which Stoigniew was beheaded and Nako accepted Christianity, resulting in thirty years of peace.
Mstivoj and Mstidrag 966 - 995 Sons of Nako. They abandoned Christianity and revolted against the Germans (Great Slav Rising).
Mieceslas III 919 - 999 in 995 defeated by Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor.
Mstislav 996 - 1018
Udo or Przybigniew 1018 - 1028
Ratibor 1028 - 1043
Gottschalk 1043 to 1066 Founder of the Wendian State
Budivoj 1066 and 1069
Kruto 1066-1069 and 1069-1093
Henry 1093 - 1127
Niklot 1131–1160 Born around 1090. Also ruled the subdued Polabian Slav tribes of Kessinians and Circipanians.
Pribislav 1160–1167 Last Obotrite prince. Accepted Saxon suzerainty in 1167.

The rulers of Obotrite lands were later the Dukes and Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg.

The Saxon suzerainty and the land of Mecklenburg

From the 7th through the 12th centuries, the area of Mecklenburg was taken over by Western Slavic peoples, most notably the Obotrites and other tribes that Frankish sources referred to as "Wends". The 11th century founder of the Mecklenburgian dynasty of Dukes and later Grand Dukes, which lasted until 1918, was Nyklot of the Obotrites.

In the late 12th century, Henry the Lion, Duke of the Saxons, conquered the region, subjugated its local lords, and Christianized its people, in a precursor to the Northern Crusades. From 12th to 14th century, large numbers of Germans and Flemings settled the area (Ostsiedlung), importing German law and improved agricultural techniques. The Wends who survived all warfare and devastation of the centuries before, including invasions of and expeditions into Saxony, Denmark and Liutizic areas as well as internal conflicts, were assimilated in the centuries thereafter. However, elements of certain names and words used in Mecklenburg speak to the lingering Slavic influence. An example would be the city of Schwerin, which was originally called Zuarin in Slavic. Another example is the town of Bresegard, the 'gard' portion of the town name deriving from the Slavic word 'grad', meaning city or town.

Partitions of Mecklenburg

Like many German territories, Mecklenburg was sometimes partitioned and re-partitioned among different members of the ruling dynasty. The division started in 1227.

Partition of 1227

In 1227, Henry Borwin II divided his lands of Mecklenburg among his sons: John received the area called Mecklenburg; Nicholas received Werle; Henry Borwin III Rostock and Pribislaus Parchim-Rinchenberg. In 1256, the latter showed incapacity for government and his brothers deposed him, dividing his lands among themselves.

In 1314 the land of Nicholas the Child of Rostock died without heirs; his lands were annexed to Mecklenburg-Mecklenburg.

In 1348 Mecklenburg-Mecklenburg and its possessions were elevated as an unified duchy, with seat at Schwerin. The line of Mecklenburg-Mecklenburg then took the seat's name for their branch: from 1348, when elevated, the line of Mecklenburg-Mecklenburg changed to Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

In 1352 the duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was again divided: from Schwerin grew a new line of dukes, called Mecklenburg-Stargard.

In 1436 the Werle line, and in 1471 the Stargard line were annexed to Mecklenburg-Schwerin, reuniting all the lands of Mecklenburg.

Partition of 1520

In 1520 the united Mecklenburg, bearing the name Mecklenburg-Schwerin, was redivided. The line of Mecklenburg-Güstrow splits off from the elder line of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. In 1695 Mecklenburg-Schwerin-Güstrow was reabsorbed in Mecklenburg, reuniting the duchy one more time.

Partition of 1701

In 1701 the united Mecklenburg, bearing the name Mecklenburg-Schwerin, was redivided. The line of Mecklenburg-Strelitz splits off from the elder line of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. In 1918, at the end of World War I, the monarchy was abolished, with the duchy still divided.

Rulers of Mecklenburg: the House of Mecklenburg

Partitions of Mecklenburg under Mecklenburg rule

      
Lordship of
Rostock

(1227-1314)
Lordship of
Mecklenburg

(1167-1347)
Lordship of Werle
(1227-)
Lordship of
Parchim

(1227-1256)
      
Lordship of
Werle-Güstrow

(1281-1291)
Lordship of
Werle-Parchim

(1281-1291)
Lordship of Werle
(Parchim line)
(1291-1316)
      
       Lordship of
Werle-Goldberg

(1316-1374)
Lordship of
Werle-Waren

(1337-1425)
Lordship of
Werle-Güstrow

(1316-1425)
Duchy of
Mecklenburg-
Stargard

(1352-1471)
Raised to:
Duchy of
Mecklenburg

(1347-1520)
(in 1379-1423 divided in
part 1, part 2
and part 3)
      
Lordship of
Werle

(Gustrow line)
(1425-1436)
      
      
Duchy of
Mecklenburg-Schwerin

(2nd creation)
(1520-1695)
Duchy of
Mecklenburg-Güstrow

(1520-1695)
Duchy of Mecklenburg
(Schwerin line)
(1695-1701)
Duchy of
Mecklenburg-Schwerin

(3rd creation)
(1701-1918)
Duchy of
Mecklenburg-Strelitz

(1701-1918)

Table of rulers

(Note: The current numbering system established for the rulers of Mecklenburg is based in the following: the Mecklenburgian group (Mecklenbugr, and then Schwerin, later Gustrow and Strelitz) form one group of a single numbering. The other parts of Mecklenburg (Parchim, Werle and divisions, Rostock and Stargard) have their own and independent numberings for their rulers.)

RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotes
Pribislaus I?1167-117830 December 1178MecklenburgWoizlava of Pomerania
before 1178
at least one child
First lord of Mecklenburg. (Son of Niklot), Prince of the Obotrites, Lord of Mecklenburg
Henry Borwin I?1178-121928 January 1227MecklenburgMatilda of Saxony
c.1170
two children

Adelaide
before 1227
one child
Henry Borwin ruled jointly with his cousin Nicholas I (son of Warcislaus of Rostock). Abdicated in 1219.
Nicholas I11641178-120025 May 1200MecklenburgUnmarried
Henry Borwin II11701219-12265 June 1226MecklenburgChristina of Sweden
c.1200
six children
Sons of Henry Borwin I, ruled jointly.
Nicholas II11801219-122528 September 1225MecklenburgUnmarried
John I the Theologianc.12111227-12641 August 1264MecklenburgLuitgard of Henneberg
c.1230
seven children
Son of Henry Borwin II. Received the land of Mecklenburg.
Nicholas Ic. 12101227-127714 May 1277WerleJudith of Anhalt
1231
seven children
Son of Henry Borwin II. Received the land of Werle.
Henry Borwin IIIc. 12201227-12781 August 1278RostockSophia of Sweden
1237
four children
Son of Henry Borwin II. Received the land of Rostock.
Pribislaus I12241227-1256after 12 February 1275Parchim-RichenbergUnmarriedSon of Henry Borwin II. Received the land of Parchim-Richenberg, but he hadn't the capacity for rule, and was deposed by his brothers, who divided his land between them.
Henry I the Pilgrimc.12301264-1271
(1299-1302 probably only titular)
2 January 1302MecklenburgAnastasia of Pomerania
c.1259
three children
In 1271, he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Along the way, he was taken prisoner and deported to Cairo, where he was held in captivity by the Arabs for 27 years. During his absence, Mecklenburg was ruled by his brothers John II and Nicholas III, after a fight between his brothers and cousins about the regency and the guardianship of his children. After John II died in 1283, Nicholas III ruled with his nephew John III until the latter's death in 1289. Nicholas died that year. Henry I returned to Mecklenburg via Morea and Rome in 1298. In 1299, he formally resumed his reign, although he probably left the business of government mostly to his son Henry II.
Albert Ic.12301264-126515 May or 17 May 1265MecklenburgUnknown
Nicholas IIIc.12301264-12898 June 1289 or 1290MecklenburgUnknown
John IIc.12501264-129912 October 1299MecklenburgUnknown
John IIIc.12501287-128927 May 1289MecklenburgHelena of Rügen
3 November 1288
one child
Henry Ic. 12451277-12918 October 1291Werle-GüstrowRicheza of Sweden
1262
three children

Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg I
1291
no children
Children of Nicholas I, ruled jointly until 1281, when they divided their patrimony. Henry kept Güstrow, John inherited Parchim and Bernard ruled at Prisannewitz. Bernard left no descendants, and his lands were divided between Parchim and Güstrow.
John Ic. 12451277-128315 October 1283Werle-ParchimSophia of Lindow-Ruppin
before 1275
six children
Bernard Ic. 12451277-1286c.1286Werle
(at Prisannewitz)
Unmarried
Valdemarbefore 12411278-12829 November 1282Rostock Agnes of Holstein-Kiel
before 1262
three children
Regency of Agnes of Holstein-Kiel (1282-1284) Died without male heirs. His inheritance went to Henry II of Mecklenburg.
Nicholas I the Childbefore 12621282-131425 November 1314RostockMargaret of Pomerania-Wolgast
1299
one child
Rostock was definitely annexed to Mecklenburg
Henry IIbefore 12831291-12941307Werle-GüstrowBeatrice of Pomerania
before 1290
two children
After his death with no descendants, Güstrow was annexed to Parchim.
Werle-Güstrow was definitely annexed to Werle-Parchim, which became Werle (1294-1316)
Nicholas II before 1283 1291-1294 18 February 1316 Werle-Parchim Richeza of Denmark
1292
two children

Matilda of Brunswick-Lüneburg II
after 1308
no children
Co-ruled with his uncles Henry I and Bernard I since 1283. In 1294 reunited Werle.
1294-1316Werle
Henry II the Lionafter 14 April 12661290-1329
(with his father as titular duke 1299-1302)
21 January 1329MecklenburgBeatrix of Brandenburg
c.1290
one child

Anna of Saxe-Wittenberg
after 6 July 1315
seven children

Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin
After 1324
no children
Son of Henry I, ruled from 1287 under regency of his uncles Nicholas III and John II, as his father Henry I was taken prisoner in the Holy Land. In 1298, he returned and Henry IV became co-ruler. Ruled alone from 1302.
John II the Baldafter 12501316-133727 August 1337Werle-GüstrowMatilda of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
1311
four children
Brother and son of Nicholas II, respectively. In 1316 there was a new subdivision of Werle in Goldberg and Güstrow, this last subdivided again in -Gustrow and -Waren in 1337.
John III Ruodenbefore 13001316-13501352Werle-GoldbergMatilda of Pomerania
1317
three children

Richardis
before 1350
two children
Council of Regency (1329-1336) Children of Henry II, ruled jointly. When Albert was raised to duke in 1348, John split off Stargard to rule independently.
Albert II the Greatc.13181329-137918 February 1379Lordship of Mecklenburg
(1329–47)

Duchy of Mecklenburg
(1347–79)
Euphemia of Sweden
10 April 1336
five children

Adelheid of Hohenstein
after 1370
no children
John I c.1326 1329-1348 9 August 1392/9 February 1393 Lordship of Mecklenburg Rixa
no children

Anna of Holstein-Pinneberg
before 1358
one child

Agnes of Lindow-Ruppin
1358
five children
1348-1392/93Mecklenburg-Stargard
Nicholas III Stavelekeafter 13111337-13601360/1361Werle-GüstrowAgnes of Mecklenburg
6 January 1338
two children

Matilda of Holstein-Plön
after 1341
one child
Children of John II, divided the land.
Bernard IIc.13201337-1382between 16 January and 13 April 1382Werle-WarenElisabeth of Holstein-Plön
1341
three children
Nicholas IV the Pig-Eyedafter 13111350-13541360/1361Werle-GoldbergAgnes of Lindow-Ruppin
before 1350
three children
Regency of Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg and Nicholas III, Lord of Werle-Gustrow (1354-1360) His part of Goldberg went to Werle-Gustrow after his death.
John IVbefore 13501354-13741374Werle-GoldbergUnmarried
Werle-Goldberg was definitely annexed to Werle-Güstrow
Lorenzbetween 1338 and 13401360-1393/94between 24 February 1393 and 6 May 1394Werle-GüstrowMatilda of Werle-Goldberg
c.1375
three children
Children of Nicholas III, ruled jointly.
John Vbetween 1338 and 13401360-1378before 9 September 1378Werle-GüstrowEuphemia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
before 1378
no children
Henry III the Hangerc.13371379-138324 April 1383Mecklenburg
(part 1)
Ingeborg of Denmark
1362
four children

Matilda of Werle
26 February 1377
no children
Children of Albert II, co-ruled jointly, but possibly in different parts of Mecklenburg. Albert III associated his eldest son Eric to his own part of Mecklenburg. Albert III's swedish ascendance allowed him to succeed as King of Sweden between 1364 and 1389.
Albert IIIc.13381379-1412March 1412Mecklenburg
(part 2)
Richardis of Schwerin
1365
two children

Agnes of Brunswick-Lüneburg
12/13 February 1396
Schwerin
one child
Eric Iafter 13591396-139716 July 1397Mecklenburg
(part 2)
Sophie of Pomerania-Wolgast
12/13 February 1396
Schwerin
no children
Magnus Ic.13451379-13841 September 1384Mecklenburg
(part 3)
Elizabeth of Pomerania-Wolgast
after 1362
two children
John VIc.13201382-1395c. 1395Werle-WarenAgnes of Mecklenburg-Werle-Goldberg
before 1395
four children
Albert IVbefore 13631383-1388between 24 and 31 December 1388Mecklenburg
(part 1)
Elisabeth of Holstein-Rendsburg
before 1388
no children
Left no children. His part of the co-rulership was probably divided between the other two.
Regencies of John I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Stargard (1384-1393) and John II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Stargard (1393-1395)
John IVbefore 13701384-142216 October 1422Mecklenburg
(part 3)
Jutta von Hoya
before 1415
no children

Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg
1416
two children
John IIbefore 13701393-14166 July/9 October 1416Mecklenburg-StargardWilheida-Catherine of Lithuania
1388
three children
Sons of John I, ruled jointly.
Ulrich Ibefore 13821393-14178 April 1417Mecklenburg-StargardMargaret of Pomerania-Stettin
before 1400
three children
Albert Ibefore 13771393-1397between 11 February and 15 July 1397Mecklenburg-StargardUnmarried
Nicholas Vbetween 1341 and 13851395-1408after 21 January 1408Werle-WarenSophie of Pomerania-Wolgast
after 1397
no children
Sons of John VI, ruled jointly. After Christopher's death, Waren went to Gustrow.
Christopherbefore 13851385

1395-1425
25 August 1425Werle-WarenUnmarried
Waren was definitely annexed to Güstrow
Balthasarc.13751393/4-14215 April 1421Werle-GüstrowEuphemia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
18 October 1397
no children

Helvig of Holstein-Rendsburg
18 April 1417
no children
Children of Lorenz, ruled jointly. William reunited Werle, but left no descendants. Werle went to Mecklenburg.
John VIIca. 13751393/4-1414between 14 August and 17 December 1414Werle-GüstrowCatherine of Saxe-Lauenburg
before 1414
no children
William c.1375 1393/4-1425 8 September 1436 Werle-Güstrow Anna of Anhalt
1422
no children

Sophia of Pomerania
after 1426
one child
1425-1436Werle
Werle was definitely annexed to Mecklenburg
Regency of Agnes of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1412-1415)
Albert V13971412-1423between 1 June and 6 December 1423Mecklenburg
(part 2)
Margaret of Brandenburg
1423
no children
John III13891417-1438after 11 November 1438Mecklenburg-StargardLuttrud of Anhalt-Köthen
before 1438
no children
Children of Ulrich (Albert and Henry) and John II (John III), ruled jointly.
Albert IIbefore 14001417-1421/23between 11 February 1421 and 4 October 1423Mecklenburg-StargardUnmarried
Henry I Gauntbefore 14121417-1466between 26 May and 20 August 1466Mecklenburg-StargardJudith of Mecklenburg-Werle-Gustrow-Waren
before 1427
no children

Ingeborg of Pomerania-Stolp
after 1427
two children

Margaret of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1452
two children
Regency of Albert V, Duke of Mecklenburg (1422-1423) and Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg (1422-1436) Sons of John IV, reunited the parts held by the coregency period (1379-1423). Henry IV associated his eldest son John VI to the co-rulership, but he didn't survive him.
John V14181422-1442/431 November 1442/13 January 1443 Mecklenburg
(part 3 until 1423; all 3 parts since 1423)
Anna of Pomerania-Stettin
17 September 1436
no children
Henry IV the Fat before 14171422-14779 March 1477Dorothea of Brandenburg
May 1432
seven children
John VI14391451-14721472Unmarried
Ulrich IIbefore 14281466-147113 July 1471Mecklenburg-StargardCatherine of Mecklenburg-Werle-Gustrow
between 24 February and 15 September 1454
no children
Son of Henry I. After his death Stargard was reunited to Mecklenburg.
Stargard was definitely annexed to Mecklenburg
Magnus IIbefore 14171477-150320 November 1503MecklenburgSophia of Pomerania-Stettin
29 May 1478
seven children
Children of Henry IV, ruled jointly.
Albert VI14381477-1483before 27 April 1483MecklenburgCatherine of Lindow-Ruppin
1466 or 1468
no children
Balthasar14511477-150716 March 1507MecklenburgUnmarried
Henry V the Peaceful3 May 14791503-15526 February 1552Mecklenburg-SchwerinSophia of Pomerania-Stettin
29 May 1478
seven children
Children of Magnus II, ruled jointly until 1520, when a new division was made: Henry kept Schwerin and Albert Güstrow.
Albert VII the Handsome25 July 14861503-15477 January 1547Mecklenburg-GüstrowAnna of Brandenburg
17 January 1524
Berlin
ten children
Eric II3 September 14831503-150822 December 1508MecklenburgUnmarried
John Albert I 23 December 1525 1547-1552 12 February 1576 Mecklenburg-Güstrow Anna Sophia of Prussia
24 February 1555
Wismar
three children
Son of Albert VII, John Albert left Güstrow to his brother Ulrich, to rule in Schwerin with his cousin Philip, who was mentally disabled. His son inherited Schwerin, as Philip died with no heirs.
1552-1576Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Philip12 September 15141552-15574 January 1557Mecklenburg-SchwerinUnmarried
Ulrich I5 March 15271552-160314 March 1603Mecklenburg-GüstrowElizabeth of Denmark
14 February 1556
one child

Anna of Pomerania-Wolgast
9 December 1588
no children
John VII7 March 15581576-159222 March 1592Mecklenburg-Schwerin 17 February 1588
three children
Sophia of Holstein-Gottorp1 June 15691592-163414 November 1634Mecklenburg-Schwerin
(at Lübz, Rehna and Wittenburg)
Received a widow seat, and in 1603, held regency for her sons. After her death the seats returned to the main duchy.
Regencies of Ulrich, Duke of Mecklenburg (1592-1603) and Sophia of Holstein-Gottorp (1603-1608) In 1628, the Emperor Ferdinand II deposed him and took his fiefs from him, but he was reinstated in 1631. In the period 1628-1631 the duchy was ruled by Albrecht von Wallenstein.
Adolf Frederick I15 December 15881592-165827 February 1658Mecklenburg-SchwerinAnna Maria of East Frisia
4 September 1622
eight children

Maria Katharine of Brunswick-Dannenberg
1635
eleven children
Charles I28 December 15401603-161022 July 1610Mecklenburg-GüstrowUnmarriedBrother of Ulrich and John Albert I.
John Albert II5 May 15901610-163623 April 1636Mecklenburg-GüstrowMargaret Elizabeth of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
9 October 1608
four children

Elizabeth of Hesse Kassel
25 March 1618
Kassel
no children

Eleonore Marie of Anhalt-Bernburg
7 May 1626
Güstrow
five children
In 1628, the Emperor Ferdinand II deposed him and took his fiefs from him, but he was reinstated in 1631. In the period 1628-1631 the duchy was ruled by Albrecht von Wallenstein.
Regency of Adolph Frederick I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1636-1654) His male heirs predeceased him, and his lands rejoined Mecklenburg, with the sole exception of the capital, inherited by the deceased's widow.
Gustav Adolph I26 February 16331636-16956 October 1695Mecklenburg-Güstrow Magdalena Sibylla of Holstein-Gottorp
28 December 1654
eleven children
Christian Louis I1 December 16231658-169221 June 1692Mecklenburg-SchwerinChristine Margaret of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
21 February 1640
no children

Elisabeth Angelique de Montmorency
3 March 1664
no children
Children of Adolf Frederick I, divided the land. AS Christian left no descendants, he was succeeded by his brother Frederick's son.
Frederick I13 February 16381658-168828 April 1688Mecklenburg-Schwerin
(at Grabow)
Christine Wilhelmine of Hesse-Homburg
28 May 1671
four children
Frederick William I 28 March 1675 1692-1695

1701-1713
31 July 1713 Mecklenburg-Schwerin Sophie Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel
2 January 1704
Kassel
no children
Son of Frederick, brother of Christian Louis I. Founded the 3rd line of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. In 1695, with the end of the Gustrow line, Mecklenburg was reunited again. However, in 1701 was again divided between Frederick William and his uncle, Adolf Frederick, son of Adolf Frederick I.
1695-1701Mecklenburg
Magdalena Sibylla of Holstein-Gottorp14 November 16311695-171922 September 1719Mecklenburg-Güstrow
(at Güstrow only)
Gustav Adolph I
28 December 1654
eleven children
Kept a widow's seat at Güstrow, which joined the rest of her late husband's patrimony after her death.
Adolf Frederick II19 October 16581701-170812 May 1708Mecklenburg-StrelitzMaria of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
1684
five children

Joanna of Saxe.Gotha-Altenburg
20 June 1702
no children

Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
10 June 1705
Neustrelitz
two children
Son of Adolf Frederick I. First of the line of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Adolf Frederick III7 June 16861708-175211 December 1752Mecklenburg-StrelitzDorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön
16 April 1709
Reinfeld
two children
Left no male heirs.
Charles Leopold I26 November 16781713-172828 November 1747Mecklenburg-SchwerinSophia Hedwig of Nassau-Dietz
27 May 1709
Leeuwarden
no children

Christine von Lepel
7 June 1710
Doberau
(annulled 2 October 1711)
no children

Catherine Ivanovna of Russia
19 April 1716
Danzig
one child
Brother of Frederick William I, was deposed in 1728 by the Aulic Council in Vienna in favour of his brother Christian Louis II.
Christian Louis II15 November 16831728-175630 May 1756Mecklenburg-SchwerinGustave Caroline of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
13 November 1714
five children
Regency of Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen (1752-1753) Son of Charles Frederick, son of Adolf Frederick II. Left no heirs.
Adolf Frederick IV5 May 17381752-17942 June 1794Mecklenburg-StrelitzUnmarried
Frederick II the Pious9 November 17171756-178524 April 1785Mecklenburg-SchwerinLouise Frederica of Württemberg
2 March 1746
Schwedt
four children
His heirs died in infancy and was succeeded by his nephew.
Frederick Francis I10 December 17561785-18371 February 1837Mecklenburg-SchwerinLouise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
1 June 1775
Gotha
six children
Son of Louis, brother of Frederick I. In 1815 was raised to Grand Duke.
Charles II10 October 17411794-18166 November 1816Mecklenburg-StrelitzFriederike of Hesse-Darmstadt
18 September 1768
Darmstadt
ten children

Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt
28 September 1784
Darmstadt
one child
Brother of Adolf Frederick IV.
George I12 August 17791816-18606 September 1860Mecklenburg-StrelitzMarie of Hesse-Kassel
12 August 1817
Kassel
four children
Paul Frederick15 September 18001837-18427 March 1842Mecklenburg-SchwerinAlexandrine of Prussia
25 May 1822
Berlin
no children
Grandson of Frederick Francis I.
Frederick Francis II28 February 18231842-188315 April 1883Mecklenburg-SchwerinAugusta Reuss of Köstritz
3 November 1849
Ludwigslust
six children

Anne of Hesse and by Rhine
4 July 1864
Darmstadt
one child

Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
4 July 1868
Rudolstadt
four children
Frederick William II17 October 18191860-190430 May 1904Mecklenburg-StrelitzAugusta of the United Kingdom
28 June 1843
London
two children
Frederick Francis III19 March 18511883-189710 April 1897Mecklenburg-SchwerinAnastasia Mikhailovna of Russia
24 January 1879
Saint Petersburg
three children
Regency of John Albert of Mecklenburg (1897-1901) Forced to abdicate in 1918, after the end of World War I
Frederick Francis IV9 April 18821897-191817 November 1945Mecklenburg-SchwerinAlexandra of Hanover and Cumberland
7 June 1904
Gmunden
five children
Adolf Frederick V22 July 18481904-191411 June 1914Mecklenburg-StrelitzElisabeth of Anhalt
17 April 1877
Dessau
four children
Adolf Frederick VI17 June 18821914-191823 February 1918Mecklenburg-StrelitzUnmarriedCommitted suicide in 1918, before the end of World War I.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 "Fürsten und Gutsherren..."
  2. Wigger, p. 121
  3. (in German) Die Ortsgeschichte von Dobbertin
  4. 1 2 "Von der Reformation..."
  5. 1 2 House Laws of Mecklenburg

Bibliography

  • Friedrich Wigger: Stammtafeln des Großherzoglichen Hauses von Meklenburg. In: Jahrbücher des Vereins für Mecklenburgische Geschichte und Altertumskunde 50 (1885), p. 111ff. (Digitalised)
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