List of Counts Palatine of the Rhine

The Elector of the Palatinate (German: Kurfürst von der Pfalz) ruled the Electoral Palatinate of the Rhine in the Kingdom of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire from 915 to 1803. The title holder was a member of the small group of prince-electors who elected the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; the similar sounding title counts palatine of smaller states were not electors.

Counts Palatine of Lotharingia 915–1085

The Palatinate emerged from the County Palatine of Lotharingia which came into existence in the 10th century.

House of Ezzonen

During the 11th century, the Palatinate was dominated by the Ezzonian dynasty, which governed several counties on both banks of the Rhine. These territories were centered around Cologne-Bonn, but extended south to the Moselle and Nahe Rivers. The southernmost point was near Alzey.[1]

Counts Palatine of the Rhine 1085–1214

From c.1085, after the death of the last Ezzonian count palatine, Herman II of Lotharingia, the Palatinate lost its military importance in Lotharingia. The territorial authority of the count palatine was reduced to his counties along the Rhine, henceforth called the County Palatine of the Rhine.

Hohenstaufen Counts Palatine

The first hereditary Count Palatine of the Rhine was Conrad of Hohenstaufen, who was the younger brother of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The territories attached to this hereditary office began with those held by the Hohenstaufens in Franconia and Rhineland. (Other branches of the Hohenstaufen dynasty received territories including lands in Swabia and Franche-Comté). Part of this land derived from their imperial ancestors, the Franconian emperors, and part from Conrad's maternal ancestors, the Saarbrücken. This explains the composition of the inheritance that comprised the Upper and Rhenish Palatinate in the following centuries.

Welf Counts Palatine

In 1195, the Palatinate passed to the House of Welf through the marriage of Agnes, heir to the Staufen count.

The Palatinate under the Wittelsbach: the Electoral dignity (1214–1803)

On the marriage of the Welf heiress Agnes in the early 13th century, the territory passed to the Wittelsbach Dukes of Bavaria, who were also counts palatine of Bavaria. During a later division of territory among the heirs of Duke Louis II of Upper Bavaria in 1294, the elder branch of the Wittelsbachs came into possession of both the Rhenish Palatinate and the territories in Bavaria north of the Danube river (the Nordgau) centred around the town of Amberg. As this region was politically connected to the Rhenish Palatinate, the name Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz) became common from the early 16th century, to contrast with the Lower Palatinate along the Rhine.

The Golden Bull of 1356, in circumvention of inner-Wittelsbach contracts and thus bypassing Bavaria, the Palatinate was recognized as one of the secular electorates. The count was given the hereditary offices of archsteward (Erztruchseß) of the Empire and Imperial Vicar (Reichsverweser) of Franconia, Swabia, the Rhine and southern Germany. From that time forth, the Count Palatine of the Rhine was usually known as the Elector Palatine (Kurfürst von der Pfalz). The position of prince-elector had existed earlier (for example, when two rival kings of Germany were elected in 1257: Richard of Cornwall and Alfonso of Castile), though it is difficult to determine exactly the earliest date of the office.

By the early 16th century, owing to the practice of dividing territories among different branches of the family, junior lines of the Palatine Wittelsbachs came to rule in Simmern, Kaiserslautern and Zweibrücken in the Lower Palatinate, and in Neuburg and Sulzbach in the Upper Palatinate. The Elector Palatine, now based in Heidelberg, adopted Lutheranism in the 1530s and Calvinism in the 1550s.

Partitions of Palatinate under Wittelsbach rule

County Palatine of the Rhine
(1214-1356)
Electoral Palatinate
(Main line)
(1356-1559)
       Neumarkt
(1410-1448)
       Simmern
(1st creation)
(1410-1598)
Simmern-Sponheim (1559-1598)
Mosbach
(1410-1490)
       Zweibrücken
(Main line)
(1459-1661)
      
Neuburg
(1st creation)
(1505-1557)
      
Veldenz
(1543-1694)
      
Part of Zweibrücken
Electoral Palatinate
(Simmern Line, 1st creation)
(1559-1623)
Neuburg
(2nd creation)
(1569-1685)
Zweibrücken
-Vohenstrauss
-Parkstein

(1569-1597)
       Zweibrücken
-Birkenfeld

(1569-1731)
Sulzbach
(1st creation)
(1569-1604)
Part of Neuburg
(1597-1684)
      
       Landsberg
(1604-1661)
Kleeburg
(1604-1718)
Part of Neuburg
       Simmern
(2nd creation)
(1610-1674)
Sulzbach
(2nd creation)
(1614-1742)
Zweibrücken
-Birkenfeld
-Bischweiler

(1615-1671)
      
Part of the Electorate of Bavaria
Electoral Palatinate
(Simmern Line, 2nd creation)
(1648-1685)
       Zweibrücken
-Birkenfeld
-Gelnhausen

(1654-1799)
Zweibrücken
(Landsberg Line)
(1661-1677)
      
      
Annexed to the Kingdom of France
Electoral Palatinate
(Neuburg Line)
(1685-1742)
Part of Electoral Palatinate
(1685-1694)
Zweibrücken
(Swedish Kleeburg Line, 1st creation)
(1693-1718)
      
Zweibrücken
(Kleeburg Line, 2nd creation)
(1718-1731)
Zweibrücken
(Birkenfeld Line)
(1731-1799)
Electoral Palatinate
(Sulzbach Line)
(1742-1799)
Electoral Palatinate
(Zweibrücken Line)
(1799-1803)

Table of rulers


RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotes
Louis I the Kelheimer23 December 11731214–123115 September 1231County Palatine of the RhineLudmilla of Bohemia
1204
one child
Son of Otto I of Wittelsbach, Duke of Bavaria. Louis obtained the Palatinate of the Rhine in 1214. So Louis I served also as Count Palatine of the Rhine. He was assassinated 1231.
Otto II the Illustrious7 April 12061231–125329 November 1253County Palatine of the RhineAgnes of the Palatinate
1222
Worms
eleven children
Otto IV served also as Count Palatine of the Rhine. On Otto IV's death, Bavaria was divided between his sons. Louis received the Palatinate.
Louis II the Strict13 April 12291253–12942 February 1294County Palatine of the RhineMaria of Brabant
2 August 1254
(executed)
no children

Anna of Głogów
1260
two children

Matilda of Austria
24 October 1273
four children
During a later division of territory among his heirs in 1294, the elder branch of the Wittelsbachs came into possession of both the Rhenish Palatinate and the territories in Bavaria north of the Danube river (the Nordgau) centred around the town of Amberg. As this region was politically connected to the Rhenish Palatinate, the name Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz) became common from the early 16th century, to contrast with the Lower Palatinate along the Rhine.
Rudolph I the Stammerer4 October 12741296–131712 August 1319County Palatine of the RhineMatilda of Nassau
1 September 1294
Nuremberg
six children
Ruled jointly. In 1317 Rudolph abdicated of his rights to his son
In 1327, Louis IV, Duke of Bavaria occupied Palatinate, but wasn't recognized as Count Palatine, as he was defending the position of his younger nephews against the claimancy of his older nephew, Adolf, Count Palatine of the Rhine. Ten years later gave it to his nephews, sons of Rudolph. With the Treaty of Pavia in 1329, as Emperor, Louis made formal his donation, pushing back the claimant Count Adolf.
Rudolph II the Blind8 August 13061327–13534 October 1353County Palatine of the RhineAnna of Carinthia-Tyrol
1328
one child

Margaret of Sicily
1348
no children
Son of Rudolph I.
The Golden Bull of 1356 confirmed the right to participate in the election of a Holy Roman Emperor to the Count Palatine, title that evolved to Elector Palatine. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his cousin Robert, son of the pushed Count Adolf.
Robert I the Red
(Ruprecht I. der Rote)
9 June 1309 1353–1356 16 February 1390 County Palatine of the Rhine Elisabeth of Namur
1350 or 1358
no children

Beatrix of Berg
1385
no children
Son of Rudolph I and brother of Rudolph II. In January 1356 was recognized as the First Elector Palatine.
10 January 1356 – 16 February 1390Electoral Palatinate
Robert II the Hard
(Ruprecht II. der Harte)
12 May 132516 January 1390 – 6 January 13986 January 1398Electoral PalatinateBeatrice of Sicily
1345
seven children
Son of the claimant count Adolf.
Robert III the Righteous
(Ruprecht III. der Gerechte)
5 May 13526 January 1398 – 18 May 141018 May 1410Electoral PalatinateElisabeth of Nuremberg
27 June 1374
Amberg
seven children
Also King of Germany (1400–1410).
Louis III the Bearded
(Ludwig III. der Bärtige)
23 January 137818 May 1410 – 30 December 143630 December 1436Electoral PalatinateBlanche of England
6 July 1402
Cologne
no children

Matilda of Savoy
30 November 1417
five children
Stephen I23 June 13851410–145914 February 1459Palatinate-SimmernAnna of Veldenz
10 June 1410
Heidelberg
eight children
Son of Robert III, received Simmern after his father's death in 1410. After his own death Zweibrücken split off from Simmern. Brought, by marriage, the County of Veldenz to his possessions.
John I13831410–144314 March 1443Palatinate-NeumarktCatherine of Pomerania-Stolp
15 August 1407
Ribe
seven children
Son of Robert III, received Neumarkt after his father's death in 1410.
Otto I24 August 13901410–14615 July 1461Palatinate-MosbachJoanna of Bavaria-Landshut
January 1430
Burghausen
eight children
Son of Robert III, received Mosbach after his father's death in 1410.
Louis IV the Meek
(Ludwig IV. der Sanftmütige)
1 January 142430 December 1436 – 13 August 144913 August 1449Electoral PalatinateMargaret of Savoy
18 October 1445
Heidelberg
one child
Christopher I26 February 14161443–14485/6 January 1448Palatinate-NeumarktDorothea of Brandenburg
12 September 1445
Copenhagen
no children
Also King of the Kalmar Union (1440–1448), in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Left no descendants. Neumarkt reverted to Palatinate-Mosbach.
Neumarkt definitely annexed to Palatinate-Mosbach
Frederick I the Victorious
(Friedrich I. der Siegreiche)
1 August 142513 August 1449 – 12 December 147612 December 1476Electoral PalatinateClara Tott
1471/2
(morganatic)
two children
Brother of his predecessor. Left no legitimate heirs to the Electorate. He was succeeded by his nephew.
Frederick I the Pious19 November 14171459–148029 November 1480Palatinate-SimmernMargaret of Guelders
6 August 1454
Lobith
ten children
Louis I the Black14241459–148919 July 1489Palatinate-ZweibrückenJohanna de Croÿ
20 March 1454
Luxembourg
twelve children
Zweibrücken split off from Simmern.
Otto II the Mathematician26 June 14351461–14908 April 1499Palatinate-MosbachUnmarriedHad a strong interest in astronomy and mathematics. Abdicated in 1490 to spent the remainder of his life in scientific pursuits. Mosbach reverted to the Electorate.
Mosbach definitely annexed to the Electoral Palatinate
Philip I the Upright
(Philipp I. der Aufrichtige)
14 July 144812 December 1476 – 28 February 150828 February 1508Electoral PalatinateMargaret of Bavaria
1474
Amberg
fourteen children
John I15 May 14591480–150927 January 1509Palatinate-SimmernJoanna of Nassau-Saarbrücken
29 September 1481
three children
Alexander I the Lame26 November 14621489–151421 October 1514Palatinate-ZweibrückenMargaret of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein
1499
Zweibrücken
six children
Sons of Louis the Black, ruled jointly.
Kaspar11 July 14591489–14901527Palatinate-ZweibrückenAmalie of Brandenburg
19 April 1478
Zweibrücken
no children
Otto Henry I the Magnanimous10 April 15021505–155712 February 1559Palatinate-NeuburgSusanna of Bavaria
16 October 1529
Neuburg an der Donau
no children
Sons of Robert of Palatinate, bishop of Freising (and grandsons of Philip I). Their father married the heiress of Bavaria-Landshut, Elisabeth, was adopted by his father-in-law, and eventually became heir of Bavaria-Landshut. This new declaration led to the Landshut War. In the aftermath of the conflict, a part of Landshut joined Palatinate with the name of Palatinate-Neuburg. In 1557 Otto Henry abdicated of Neuburg to become Elector. Neuburg fell to Wolfgang I.
Philip I the Warlike12 November 15031505–15414 July 1548Palatinate-NeuburgUnmarried
Louis V the Pacific
(Ludwig V. der Friedfertige)
2 July 147828 February 1508 – 16 March 154416 March 1544Electoral PalatinateSibylle of Bavaria
23 February 1511
Heidelberg
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
John II21 March 14921509–155718 May 1557Palatinate-SimmernBeatrix of Baden
22 May 1508
twelve children
He introduced the Reformation into Simmern which led to increased tensions with his neighbours, the Archbishoprics of Trier and Mainz.
Louis II the Younger14 September 15021514–15323 December 1532Palatinate-ZweibrückenElisabeth of Hesse
10 September 1525
Kassel
two children
Sons of Alexander I, ruled jointly. In 1543 Robert created Veldenz to himself.
Robert I 1506 1532–1543 28 July 1544 Palatinate-Zweibrücken Ursula of Salm-Kyrburg
23 June 1537
three children
1543–1544Palatinate-Veldenz
Wolfgang I 26 September 1526 1532–1557 11 June 1569 Palatinate-Zweibrücken Anna of Hesse
24 February 1544
thirteen children
Son of Louis II, ruled with his uncle Robert until 1543. Inherited Neuburg in 1557.
1557–1569Palatinate-Zweibrücken and Palatinate-Neuburg
Frederick III the Wise
(Friedrich II. der Weise)
9 December 148216 March 1544 – 26 December 155626 December 1556Electoral PalatinateDorothea of Denmark
18 May 1535
Heidelberg
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by a cousin.
(Council of Regency:1544-c.1560)
George John I the Astute11 April 15431560–159218 April 1592Palatinate-VeldenzAnna of Sweden
20 December 1562
eleven children
Otto Henry I the Magnanimous
(Ottheinrich. der Großmütige)
10 April 150226 December 1556 – 12 February 155912 February 1559Electoral PalatinateSusanna of Bavaria
16 October 1529
Neuburg an der Donau
no children
Son of Robert of Palatinate, bishop of Freising. Left no descendants. Main line became extinct with his death. Simmern line succeeded in the Electorate.
Frederick III the Pious
(Friedrich III. der Fromme)
14 February 1515 1557–1559 26 October 1576 Palatinate-Simmern Marie of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
21 October 1537
Kreuznach
eleven children

Amalia of Neuenahr
25 April 1569
Heidelberg
no children
When the senior branch of the family died out in 1559, the electorate passed to Frederick III of Simmern, son of John III and a staunch Calvinist. The Palatinate became one of the major centers of Calvinism in Europe, supporting Calvinist rebellions in both the Netherlands and France.
12 February 1559 – 26 October 1576Electoral Palatinate
George20 February 15181559–156917 May 1569Palatinate-SimmernElisabeth of Hesse
9 January 1541
one child
Son of John II. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Richard25 July 15211569–159813 January 1598Palatinate-SimmernJulianna of Wied
30 January 1569
four children

Emilie of Württemberg
26 March 1578
no children

Anne Margaret of Palatinate-Veldenz
14 December 1589
no children
Son of John II. Left no descendants. Simmern returned to the Electorate.
Simmern briefly annexed to the Electoral Palatinate (1598–1610)
John I the Lame8 May 15501569–160412 August 1604Palatinate-ZweibrückenMagdalene of Jülich-Cleves-Berg
1579
Bad Bergzabern
nine children
Son of Wolfgang.
Frederick I11 April 15571569–159717 December 1597Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Vohenstrauss-ParksteinKatharina Sophie of Legnica
26 February 1587
three children
Son of Wolfgang. Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Vohenstrauss-Parkstein split off from Zweibrücken. Left no surviving children. At his death, his lands were annexed to Palatinate-Neuburg.
Zweibrücken-Vohenstrauss-Parkstein definitely annexed to Palatinate-Neuburg
Otto Henry22 July 15671569–160429 August 1604Palatinate-SulzbachDorothea Maria of Württemberg
25 November 1582
thirteen children
Son of Wolfgang. Left no surviving children. Palatinate-Sulzbach split off from Zweibrücken. At his death, his lands were inherited by Palatinate-Neuburg.
Charles I4 September 15601569–160016 December 1600Palatinate-Zweibrücken-BirkenfeldDorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg
23 November 1590
four children
Son of Wolfgang. Left no surviving children. Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld split off from Zweibrücken.
Philip Louis 2 October 1547 1569–1604 22 August 1614 Palatinate-Neuburg Anna of Cleves
27 September 1574
Neuburg an der Donau
eight children
Son of Wolfgang. Inherited Sulzbach from his brother Otto Henry.
1604–1614Palatinate-Neuburg and Palatinate-Sulzbach
Louis VI the Careless
(Ludwig VI. der Leichtsinnige)
4 July 153926 October 1576 – 22 October 158322 October 1583Electoral PalatinateElisabeth of Hesse
8 July 1560
Marburg
twelve children

Anne of Ostfriesland
12 July 1583
Heidelberg
no children
Frederick IV the Righteous
(Friedrich IV. der Aufrichtige)
5 March 157422 October 1583 – 19 September 161019 September 1610Electoral PalatinateLouise Juliana of Orange-Nassau
23 June 1593
Dillenburg
eight children
With his adviser Christian of Anhalt, he founded the Evangelical Union of Protestant states in 1608.
Anna of Sweden (regent)19 June 15451592–159820 March 1610Palatinate-VeldenzGeorge John I
20 December 1562
eleven children
Regent on behalf of her sons.
George Gustavus6 February 15641598–16343 June 1634Palatinate-VeldenzElisabeth of Württemberg
30 October 1586
no children

Maria Elizabeth of Palatinate-Zweibrücken
17 May 1601
eleven children
Ruled jointly. In 1598 divided the land: George Gustavus kept Veldenz; John Augustus received Lützelstein; and Louis Philip and George John received jointly received Gutenberg. In 1601 George John ruled alone Gutenberg. In 1611, after the death of John Augustus with no descendants, Lützelstein was annexed to Guttenberg. In 1654, after the death of George John without descendants, Guttenberg reerted to Veldens, united under Leopold Louis, George Gustavus' son.
John Augustus26 November 15751598–161118 September 1611Palatinate-Veldenz (-Lützelstein)Anne Elizabeth of the Palatinate
1599
no children
Louis Philip I24 November 15771598–160124 October 1601Palatinate-Veldenz (-Gutenberg)Unmarried
George John II24 June 15861598–165429 September 1654Palatinate-Veldenz (-Gutenberg)Susanna of Palatinate-Sulzbach
20 December 1562
eleven children
(Council of Regency:1600-c.1608/c.1615)
George William6 August 15911608–166925 December 1669Palatinate-Zweibrücken-BirkenfeldDorothea of Solms-Sonnenwalde
30 November 1616
six children

Juliana of Salm-Grumbach
30 November 1641
no children

Anne Elizabeth of Öttingen-Öttingen
8 March 1649
no children
Son of Charles I.
Christian I3 November 15981615–16546 September 1654Palatinate-Birkenfeld-BischweilerMagdalene Catherine of Palatinate-Zweibrücken
14 November 1630
nine children

Maria Joanna of Helffenstein
28 October 1648
one child
Son of Charles I. Received Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Bischweiler, split off from Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld.
John II the Younger26 March 15841604–16359 August 1635Palatinate-ZweibrückenCatherine de Rohan
26 August 1604
one child

Louise Juliana of the Palatinate
13 May 1612
seven children
Son of John IV. Kept Zweibrücken
Frederick Casimir10 June 15851604–164530 September 1645Palatinate-LandsbergEmilia Antwerpiana of Orange-Nassau
4 July 1616
Landsberg
three children
Son of John IV, received Landsberg.
John Casimir20 April 15891604–165218 June 1652Palatinate-KleeburgCatherine of Sweden
11 June 1615
Stockholm
eight children
Son of John IV, received Kleeburg.
Frederick V the Winter King
(Friedrich V. der Winterkönig)
26 August 159619 September 1610 – 23 February 162329 November 1632Electoral PalatinateElizabeth of Great Britain
14 February 1613
London
thirteen children
In 1619, he accepted the throne of Bohemia from the Bohemian estates. He was defeated by the Emperor Ferdinand II at the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, and Spanish and Bavarian troops soon occupied the Palatinate itself. He was known as "the Winter King" because his reign in Bohemia only lasted one winter. In 1623, Frederick was put under the ban of the Empire.
Frederick V's territories and his position as elector were transferred to the Duke of Bavaria, Maximilian I, of a distantly related branch of the House of Wittelsbach. Although technically Elector Palatine, he was known as the Elector of Bavaria. From 1648 he ruled in Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate alone, but retained all his electoral dignities and the seniority of the Palatinate Electorate.

Electoral Palatinate briefly annexed to the Electorate of Bavaria (1623–1648)
Louis Philip II23 November 16021610–16556 January 1655Palatinate-SimmernMaria Eleonora of Brandenburg
4 December 1631
seven children
Son of Elector Frederick, restored Simmern.
Wolfgang William4 November 15781614–165314 September 1653Palatinate-NeuburgMagdalene of Bavaria
11 November 1613
Munich
one child

Catharina Charlotte of Palatinate-Zweibrücken
11 November 1631
Blieskastel
two children

Maria Franziska of Fürstenberg-Heiligenberg
3 June 1651
no children
Son of Philip Louis, inherited Neuburg.
Augustus2 October 15821614–163214 August 1632Palatinate-SulzbachHedwig of Holstein-Gottorp
17 July 1620
seven children
Sons of Philip Louis, inherited Sulzbach. John Frederick created Palatinate-Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein, but at his death with no surviving children, Sulzbach became reunited under Augustus' son, Christian August.
John Frederick23 August 15871614–164419 October 1644Palatinate-Sulzbach (-Hilpoltsein)Sophie Agnes of Hesse-Darmstadt
7/17 November 1624
eight children
Christian Augustus26 July 16221632–170823 July 1708Palatinate-SulzbachAmalie of Nassau-Siegen
27 March 1649
five children
Reunited Sulzbach after John Frederick's death in 1644.
Leopold Louis1 February 16251634–169429 September 1694Palatinate-VeldenzAgatha Christine of Hanau-Lichtenberg
4 July 1648
Bischweiler
twelve children
Reunited Palatinate-Veldenz 1654. However, left no surviving male descendants. Veldenz went to the Electorate.
Veldenz definitely annexed to the Electoral Palatinate
Frederick I5 April 16191635–16619 July 1661Palatinate-ZweibrückenAnna Juliane of Nassau-Saarbrücken
6 April 1640
ten children
Left no male surviving descendants. Zweibrucken was inherited by Landsberg line.
Frederick Louis 27 October 1619 1645–1661 11 April 1681 Palatinate-Landsberg Juliana Magdalena of Palatinate-Zweibrücken
14 November 1645
Düsseldorf
thirteen children

Anna Marie Elisabeth Hepp
21 August 1672
(morganatic)
five children
Inherited Zweibrücken from his cousin Frederick in 1661, and annexed Landsberg to it. In 1677 the Kingdom of France occupied his duchies. He left no surviving descendants.
1661–1677Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Palatinate-Landsberg was definitely reannexed to the Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Palatinate-Zweibrücken (with Landsberg) was briefly annexed to the Kingdom of France (1677–1693)
Charles Louis
(Karl I. Ludwig)
22 December 161724 October 1648- 28 August 168028 August 1680Electoral Palatinate
(Simmern line restored)
Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel
22 February 1650
Kassel
(unilateral divorce in 1658)
three children

Marie Luise von Degenfeld
6 January 1658
Schwetzingen
(morganatic and bigamous)
thirteen children

Elisabeth Hollander von Bernau
11 December 1679
Vohenstrauß
(morganatic)
one child
Son of Frederick VII. By the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, Charles Louis was restored to the Lower Palatinate and was given a new electoral title, also that of "Elector Palatine" but lower in precedence than the other electorates.
Charles Gustavus8 November 16221652–165413 February 1660Palatinate-KleeburgHedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp
24 October 1654
Stockholm
one child
Abdicated from Kleeburg in 1654, to become King of Sweden (as Charles X), right hat he inherited from his mother.
John Charles17 October 16381654–170421 February 1704Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenSophie Amalie of Palatinate-Zweibrücken
1685
Weikersheim
one child

Esther Maria von Witzleben
28 July 1696
five children
Son of Christian I, received Gelnhausen.
Adolph John I21 October 16291654–168924 October 1689Palatinate-KleeburgElsa Beata Brahe
19 June 1649
Stockholm
one child

Elsa Elisabeth Brahe
1661
Stockholm
nine children
Brother of Charles Gustavus, received Kleeburg after the abdication of his brother.
Louis Henry11 October 16401655–16743 January 1674Palatinate-SimmernMaria of Orange-Nassau
23 September 1666
Kleve
no children
Left no descendants. Simmern returned to the Electorate.
Simmern definitely annexed to the Electoral Palatinate
Charles Otto5 September 16251669–167130 March 1671Palatinate-Zweibrücken-BirkenfeldMargaret Hedwig of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein
26 September 1658
three children
Left no surviving descendants. Birkenfeld passed to Bischweiler line.
Christian II 22 June 1637 1654–1671 26 April 1717 Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Bischweiler Catherine Agatha of Rappoltstein
5 September 1667
seven children
Son of Christian I, kept Bischweiler, while his brother John Charles gained Gelnhausen.Inherited Birkenfeld from his cousin Charles Otto, and annexed Bischweiler to it.
1671–1717Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld
Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Bischweiler definitely reannexed to the Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld
Charles II
(Karl II)
10 April 165128 August 1680 – 26 May 168526 May 1685Electoral PalatinateWilhelmine Ernestine of Denmark
20 September 1671
Heidelberg
no children
Last of Simmern line.
Philip William
(Philipp Wilhelm)
24 November 1615 1653–1685 2 September 1690 Palatinate-Neuburg Anna Catherine of Poland
8 June 1642
Warsaw
no children

Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt
3 September 1653
Bad Schwalbach
seventeen children
When the Simmern branch of the family died out in 1685, the electorate passed to Philip William of Neuburg (also Duke of Jülich and Berg), son of Wolfgang William. He was a Catholic and a maternal nephew of Maximilian I of Bavaria.
26 May 1685 – 2 September 1690Electoral Palatinate
Adolph John II21 August 16661689–170127 April 1701Palatinate-KleeburgUnmarriedLeft no descendants. His lands went to his brother, Gustavus.
John William
(Johann Wilhelm)
19 April 16582 September 1690 – 8 June 17168 June 1716Electoral PalatinateMaria Anna Josepha of Austria
25 October 1678
Wiener Neustadt
two children

Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici
6 May 1691
Innsbruck
no children
Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Charles III24 November 16551693–16975 April 1697Palatinate-ZweibrückenUlrika Eleonora of Denmark
6 May 1680
Skottorp
seven children
Son of Charles Gustavus (Charles X of Sweden), assumed the restored Palatinate-Zweibrücken. Also King of Sweden, as Charles XI.
Charles IV17 June 16821697–171830 November 1718Palatinate-ZweibrückenUnmarriedSon of Charles II. Also King of Sweden, as Charles XII. After his death with no descendants, Zweibrücken was inherited by Kleeburg line.
Gustavus 12 April 1670 1701–1718 17 September 1731 Palatinate-Kleeburg Dorothea of Palatinate-Veldenz
10 July 1707
no children

Louise Dorothea von Hoffmann
13 May 1723
(morganatic)
no children
Inherited Zweibrücken from his cousin Charles III, and annexed Kleeburg to it. Left no descendants. His lands went to Birkenfeld line.
1718–1731Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Palatinate-Kleeburg was definitely reannexed to the Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Frederick Bernard28 May 16971704–17395 August 1739Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenErnestine Louise of Waldeck-Pyrmont
30 May 1737
Arolsen
two children
Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother John.
Theodore Eustace14 February 16591708–173211 July 1732Palatinate-SulzbachMaria Eleonore of Hesse-Rotenburg
6 June 1692
Lobositz
nine children
Charles Philip
(Karl III. Philipp)
4 November 16618 June 1716 - 31 December 174231 December 1742Electoral PalatinateLudwika Karolina Radziwiłł
10 August 1688
Berlin
four children

Teresa Lubomirska
15 December 1701
Kraków
two children

Violante Theresia of Thurn and Taxis
1728
(morganatic)
no children
Left no descendants. The Electorate went to Sulzbach line.
Christian III 7 November 1674 1717–1731 3 February 1735 Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld Caroline of Nassau-Saarbrücken
21 September 1719
Lorentzen
four children
Inherited Zweibrücken from his cousin Gustavus, and annexed Birkenfeld to it.
1731–1735Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld definitely reannexed to Palatinate-Zweibrücken
John Christian23 January 17001732–173320 July 1733Palatinate-SulzbachMaria Henriette de La Tour d'Auvergne
15 February 1722
two children

Eleonore of Hesse-Rotenburg
21 January 1731
Mannheim
no children
Christian IV6 September 17221735–17755 November 1775Palatinate-ZweibrückenMaria Johanna Camasse
1751
(morganatic)
six children
His children from his morganatic marriage were barred from succession. He was succeeded by his nephew.
John VI24 May 16981739–178010 February 1780Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenSophie Charlotte of Salm-Dhaun
1743
Dhaun
eight children
Charles Theodore
(Karl IV Theodor)
11 December 1724 1733-1742 16 February 1799 Palatinate-Sulzbach Elisabeth Auguste of Palatinate-Sulzbach
17 January 1742
Mannheim
one child

Maria Leopoldine of Austria-Este
15 February 1795
Innsbruck
no children
The title and authority of Elector Palatine were subsumed into the Electorate of Bavaria in 1777. Charles Theodore and his heirs retaining only the single vote and precedence of the Bavarian elector, though they continued to use the title "Count Palatine of the Rhine" (German: Pfalzgraf bei Rhein, Latin: Comes Palatinus Rheni). Left no descendants, and the Electorates passed to Zweibrücken line.
31 December 1742 - 30 December 1777Electoral Palatinate
30 December 1777 - 16 February 1799Electoral Palatinate and Electorate of Bavaria
Charles August29 October 17461775–17951 April 1795Palatinate-ZweibrückenMaria Amalia of Saxony
12 February 1774
Dresden
no children
Son of Frederick Michael, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken, brother of Christian IV. Succeeded his uncle, but left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
Charles John13/18 September 17451780–178931 March 1789Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenUnmarriedLeft no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother William.
William10 November 17521789–17998 January 1837Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenMaria Anna of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld
30 January 1780
Mannheim
three children
In 1799 his lands were annexed to Bavaria.
Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Gelnhausen definitely annexed to the Electorate of Bavaria
Maximilian Joseph
(Maximilian I. Joseph)
27 May 1756 1795-1799 13 October 1825 Palatinate-Zweibrücken Augusta Wilhelmine of Hesse-Darmstadt
30 September 1785
Darmstadt
five children

Caroline of Baden
9 March 1797
Karlsruhe
eight children
Charles Theodore's heir, Maximilian Joseph, Duke of Zweibrücken (on the French border), brought all the Wittelsbach territories under a single rule in 1799. The Palatinate was dissolved in the Wars of the French Revolution. First, its left bank territories were occupied (and then annexed) by France starting in 1795; then, in 1803, its right bank territories were taken by the Margrave of Baden. The Rhenish Palatinate, as a distinct territory, disappeared. In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was abolished, and all the rights and responsibilities of the electors with it.
16 February 1799 - 27 April 1803Electoral Palatinate and Electorate of Bavaria
27 April 1803 - 1 January 1806Electorate of Bavaria
Palatinate-Zweibrücken was definitely annexed to the Electorate of Bavaria
Electoral Palatinate was definitely annexed to the Electorate of Bavaria

Electors of Bavaria and Counts Palatine of the Rhine, 1777–1803

Zweibrücken Line
Image Name Began Ended Notes
Maximilian I Joseph 16 February 1799 27 April 1803 Charles Theodore's heir, Maximilian Joseph, Duke of Zweibrücken (on the French border), brought all the Wittelsbach territories under a single rule in 1799. The Palatinate was dissolved in the Wars of the French Revolution. First, its left bank territories were occupied (and then annexed) by France starting in 1795; then, in 1803, its right bank territories were taken by the Margrave of Baden. The Rhenish Palatinate, as a distinct territory, disappeared. In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was abolished, and all the rights and responsibilities of the electors with it.

Later history

Following the great restorations of 1815, the Lower Palatinate (albeit without any prince-elector role) was restored as one of eight Bavarian Districts. After World War II the American Military Government of Germany took the Lower Palatinate from Bavaria and merged it with neighbouring territories to form a new state called Rhineland-Palatinate (German: Rheinland-Pfalz) with Mainz as the state capital. The people had felt neglected by the governments in Munich for generations and later approved the merger in a plebiscite.

The present head of the House of Wittelsbach, Franz, Duke of Bavaria (born 1933), is still traditionally styled as His Royal Highness the Duke of Bavaria, Duke in Swabia and Franconia, Count Palatine of the Rhine.

Notes

  1. Kohnle, Armin (2005). "Mittelalterliche Grundlagen; Pfalzgraftenamt, Territorialentwicklung und Kurwürde". Kleine Geschichte der Kurpfalz. Regionalgeschichte-fundiert und kompakt (in German) (First ed.). Karlsruhe: G. Braun Buchverlag. p. 17. ISBN 3-7650-8329-1.
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