House of Schwarzburg

The House of Schwarzburg was one of the oldest noble families of Thuringia, which is in modern-day central Germany. Upon the death of Prince Friedrich Günther in 1971, a claim to the headship of the house passed under Semi-Salic primogeniture to his elder sister, Princess Marie Antoinette of Schwarzburg who married Friedrich Magnus V, Count of Solms-Wildenfels.^[1][2] Reigning over the County of Schwarzburg and founded by Sizzo I of Schwarzburg (died 1160), the family split in the 16th century into the lines of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen and Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, with the Sondershausen line dying out in 1909.

Schwarzburg
Country	Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
Founded	12th century
Founder	Sizzo I, Count of Schwarzburg
Final ruler	Prince Günther Victor
Titles	Count, Prince
Deposition	1918

Coat of arms of the Schwarzburg family

Family history

The County of Schwarzburg was a state of the Holy Roman Empire from 1195 to 1595, when it was partitioned into Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. It was ruled by counts from the House of Schwarzburg. Schwarzburg Castle was first mentioned in a 1071 deed. In 1123 Count Sizzo III of Käfernburg (Kevernburg), mentioned by the medieval chronicler Lambert of Hersfeld and according to the Annalista Saxo a grandson of Prince Yaropolk Izyaslavich of Turov by his mother, rebuilt the castle calling himself a "Count of Schwarzburg". Sizzo also established Georgenthal Abbey and in 1157, he accompanied Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa during his campaign against High Duke Bolesław IV the Curly of Poland.

In 1197, Sizzo's grandson Henry II divided the common heritage with his brother Günther III and made Schwarzburg Castle his residence. His territory then also comprised the nearby castle of Blankenburg.

The most famous family member is Günther XXI von Schwarzburg. In 1349, he was elected as German king by the majority of electors. But, due to waning support, he renounced some months later and died shortly after.

The Schwarzburg lands were again divided among his successors until in 1538 when Count Günther XL the Rich was able to unite the territories including Frankenhausen and Rudolstadt under his rule. He was succeeded by his eldest son Günther XLI. However, after his death in 1583, his younger brothers again divided the county: John Günther I received the territory around Arnstadt, later called Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, while Albrecht VII inherited the lands of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt. The partition was finally confirmed by the 1599 Treaty of Stadtilm.

• 
  The castle at Schwarzburg. The building is being renovated now.
• 
  Sondershausen Palace.
• 
  The Schwarzburg principalities in 1910

    Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt

    Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

Rulers of Schwarzburg

House of Schwarzburg

Partitions of Schwarzburg under Schwarzburg rule

Note:Below it is presented a simplified organisation of the Schwarzburg lands. Some particularities of certain feuds are explained in footnotes.

										Property of the comital family of Loccum-Hallermund
County of Schwarzburg (1030-1320)						County of Käfernburg 1st creation: 1070-1118 2nd creation: 1160-1184
										County of Hallermund (1197-1411) (inherited)[3]
									County of Wiehe (1223-1338)
				County of Blankenburg[4] (1278-1538)	County of Arnstadt (1st creation) (1275-1306)[5]			County of Käfernburg[6] (3rd creation) (1223-1386)
County of Leutenberg[7] (with Schwarzburg half 1) (1320-1564)		County of Wachsenburg (with Schwarzburg half 2) (1320-1461)					County of Arnstadt (2nd creation) (1324-1357)[8]
				County of Sondershausen (1st creation) (1338-1390)					Annexed to Weimar- Orlamünde
	County of Schwarzburg (half 1) (1358-1399)	County of Schwarzburg (half 2) (1355-1450[9])	County of Wachsenburg (1320-1406)
								Annexed to Meissen
County of Leutenberg (1320-1564)				(Sondershausen line from 1390)
										Sold to Brunswick- Lüneburg
		County of Sondershausen (2nd creation) (1476-1537)		County of Arnstadt (3rd creation) (1488-1564)[10]
County of Schwarzburg (1564-1571) (Arnstadt line)
County of Frankenhausen (1571-1597)		County of Rudolstadt (1571-1710)		County of Sondershausen (1571-1697)		County of Arnstadt (5th creation) (1571-1697)[11] Raised to: Principality of Arnstadt (1697-1716)
Raised to: Principality of Rudolstadt (1710-1909)				Raised to: Principality of Sondershausen (1697-1909)
Principality of Schwarzburg (1909-1918) (Rudolstadt line)

Table of rulers

Table of rulers Note: There are two manners for numbering the rulers of this noble family: birth numbers or regnal numbers. Albeit the birth number is more commonly used, the table uses the sequential regnal numbers presented in Stammliste des Hauses Schwarzburg, to avoid confusion or holes in the counting. According to this alternative numbering, there's a different counting for Schwarzburg, Käfernburg (from 1223 onwards) and Hallermund (as an already existing county which came into the family by marriage). However, even this alternative counting is not perfect: it counts only the ruling members, but by birth order, which means that people with higher count may start to rule first than others. These cases will be pointed out in the table. Ruler Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes Sizzo I [bg] c.1000? Son of Sizzo[12] or Günther[13] c.1030-1050 County of Schwarzburg Unknown at least one child c.1050 aged 49–50? Probably the founder of the family. Sometimes attributed to his possible father, Günther. Sizzo II [bg] c.1030? Son of Sizzo I [bg] c.1050-1118 County of Schwarzburg Unknown at least one child c.1118 aged 77–78? Günther I [bg] c.1050? Son of Sizzo II [bg] c.1070-1109 County of Käfernburg Matilda Yaropolkovna of Turov-Pinsk after 1087 two children c.1109 aged 58–59? Cited as Count of Käfernburg, and predeceased his father. Sizzo III [de] 1093 Son of Günther I [bg] and Matilda Yaropolkovna of Turov-Pinsk 1109-1118 County of Käfernburg Gisela of Berg (d.20 March 1142) c.1133 four children 19 June 1160 aged 66–67 Reunited Schwarzburg after the death of his grandfather, Sizzo II. 1118 – 19 June 1160 County of Schwarzburg Henry I [de] 1130 First son of Sizzo III [de] and Gisela of Berg 19 June 1160 – 26 July 1184 County of Schwarzburg A lady Winzenburg 1170 one child 26 July 1184 aged 53–54 Children of Sizzo III, divided the inheritance. After Henry I's death, his brother reunited Schwarzburg once more. Günther II [de] 1135 Second son of Sizzo III [de] and Gisela of Berg 19 June 1160 – 26 July 1184 County of Käfernburg Agnes of Saarbrücken four children Adelaide of Loccum-Hallermund [de] 1178 three children 1197 aged 31–32 26 July 1184 – 1197 County of Schwarzburg Henry II the Elder [de] c.1160 First son of Günther II [de] and Agnes of Saarbrücken 1197 – 20 February 1236 County of Schwarzburg Irmgard of Weimar-Orlamünde 1211 seven children 20 February 1236 aged 75–76? Children of Günther II, divided their inheritance. Gunther III co-ruled with his older brother Henry until 1216. Ludolf inherited Hallermund through his mother. Günther III [bg][14] c.1160 Second son of Günther II [de] and Agnes of Saarbrücken 1197-1216 County of Schwarzburg Dietburg of Anhalt (1169-1228) two children 1223 aged 62–63? 1216-1223 County of Käfernburg Ludolf II [de][15] 1180 Son of Günther II [de] and Adelaide of Loccum-Hallermund [de] 1197 – 15 November 1256 County of Hallermund Unknown four children Kunigunde of Pyrmont one child 15 November 1256 aged 75–76? Henry III the Younger 1219/20 First son of Henry II [de]and Irmgard of Weimar-Orlamünde 20 February 1236 – 1258/9 County of Schwarzburg Sophie of Hohnstein c.15 March 1247 one child 1258/59 aged 38–40 Children of Henry II, divided their inheritance, but the childless death of Henry III made possible for Gunther IV to reunite the land once more. Günther IV 1219/20 Second son of Henry II [de]and Irmgard of Weimar-Orlamünde 20 February 1236 – 1258/9 County of Blankenburg Sophia nine children 1275/78 aged 38–40 1258/9-1275/8 County of Schwarzburg Günther IV [bg][16] c.1200? First son of Günther III [bg] and Dietburg of Anhalt 1223-1268/9 County of Käfernburg Matilda of Beichlingen before 10 December 1254 two children 1268/9 aged 68–69? Children of Gunther III of Schwarzburg, divided their inheritance at Kafernburg. Albert I [bg] c.1200? Second son of Günther III [bg] and Dietburg of Anhalt 1223-1255 County of Wiehe Unknown five children c.1255 aged 54–55 Albert II c.1240? First son of Albert I [bg] 1255-c.1285 County of Wiehe Unmarried c.1285 aged 44–45? Children of Albert I, divided their inheritance. Frederick c.1240? Second son of Albert I [bg] 1255-1312 Elisabeth of Neuenburg before 8 July 1280 two children 1312 aged 71–72? Berthold c.1240? Third son of Albert I [bg] 1255 – 7 August 1312 County of Wiehe (at Rabenswald) Wilibirg of Helfenstein 1277 no children 7 August 1312 aged 71–72? Gisela c.1240? Daughter of Albert I [bg] 1255-1278 County of Wiehe (at Hardegg) Burchard VI, Burgrave of Magdeburg c.1260? at least one child 1278 aged 37–38? Rabenswald rejoined Wiehe; Hardegg annexed to Magdeburg Ludolf III c.1200? Son of Ludolf II [de] and Kunigunde of Pyrmont 15 November 1256 – 1266 County of Hallermund Jutta of Hoya six children 1266 aged 65–66? It's possible that, after his death, his children divided the county. Wilbrand III[17] 1250? First son of Ludolf III and Jutta of Hoya 1266-1280 County of Hallermund (half 1) Adelaide of Adenoys five children 1280 aged 29–30? Sons of Ludolf III, possibly divided the county. Ludolf IV became canon at Hildesheim in 1275, possibly abdicating from the co-ruling in that year. Ludolf IV 1250? Second son of Ludolf III and Jutta of Hoya 1266-1275 County of Hallermund (halves 1 and 2?) Unmarried c.1291 aged 40–41? Gerhard I the Elder 1250? Third son of Ludolf III and Jutta of Hoya 1266-1326 County of Hallermund (half 2) Unknown seven children Gerburg of Homburg before 14 September 1317 two children 1326 aged 75–76? Günther V the Elder [bg] c.1230? Son of Günther IV [bg] and Matilda of Beichlingen 1269-1273/5 County of Käfernburg Matilda of Schwarzburg c.1250? four children 1273/5 aged 43–45? Günther VI the Elder [bg] c.1250? First son of Günther V [bg] and Matilda of Schwarzburg 1273/5 – 1289 County of Käfernburg (with County of Arnstadt (half 1)) Sophia of Lüchow twelve children February/March 1289 aged 38–39? Sons of Günther V, divided their inheritance. Günther VII the Younger [bg] c.1250? Second son of Günther V [bg] and Matilda of Schwarzburg 1273/5 – 10 June 1302 County of Arnstadt (half 2) Adelaide of Schwarzburg c.1275? two children 10 June 1302 aged 51–52? Günther V [bg] c.1235 First son of Günther IV and Sophia 1275/8-1292/3 County of Schwarzburg Irmgard nine children Helena of Saxe-Lauenburg [bg] 1283 no children 1292/3 aged 56–57? Children of Günther IV, divided their inheritance. Henry IV [bg] c.1235 Second son of Günther IV and Sophia 1275/8-1287 County of Blankenburg Sofia Daniilovna of Galicia-Volhynia [uk] 1259 two children 1287 aged 51–52? Gerhard II the Younger c.1270? First son of Wilbrand III and Adelaide of Adenoys 1280-1345/6 County of Hallermund (half 1) Elisabeth of Everstein-Polle thirteen children 1345/6 aged 75–76? Children of Wilbrand III, ruled jointly. Wilbrand IV c.1270? Second son of Wilbrand III and Adelaide of Adenoys 1280-1301 Unmarried c.1301 aged 75–76? Henry VI[18] c.1270 First son of Henry IV [bg] and Sofia Daniilovna of Galicia-Volhynia [uk] 1287 – 11 November 1324 County of Blankenburg Christina of Gleichen-Tonna 1268 seven children Oda of Henneberg-Hartenberg c.1310/20? no children 11 November 1324 aged 53–54 Sons of Henry IV, divided their inheritance. Günther VII[18] c.1270 Second son of Henry IV [bg] and Sofia Daniilovna of Galicia-Volhynia [uk] 1287-1326 County of Blankenburg (at Leutenberg) Unknown no children Catharina Reuss of Gera two children Matilda (d.1373) no children 10 December 1352 aged 81–82? Leutenberg is annexed by the main branch of Schwarzburg Günther VIII [bg] c.1270? First son of Günther VI [bg] and Sophia of Lüchow 1289-1318/24 County of Käfernburg Irmgard of Schwarzburg six children 1318/24 aged 48–54? Sons of Günther VI. Gunther VIII and Otto divided the inheritance. Gunther IX and Gunther X ruled alongside their brother Gunther VIII. Having left no children of his own, Otto left his part of Arnstadt to the county of Blankenburg. Günther IX [bg] c.1270? Third son of Günther VI [bg] and Sophia of Lüchow 1289-1332/3 Matilda of Regenstein between 5 June and 29 July 1312 four children 1332/3 aged 62–63? Günther X c.1270? Fourth son of Günther VI [bg] and Sophia of Lüchow 1289-1295 Unmarried 1295 aged 24–25? Otto c.1270? Second son of Günther VI [bg] and Sophia of Lüchow 1289-1306 County of Arnstadt (half 1) 1306 aged 35–36? Half 1 of Arnstadt annexed to Blankenburg Günther VI [bg][18] c.1250 First son of Günther V [bg] and Irmgard 1292/3 – 24 October 1308 County of Schwarzburg Matilda of Käfernburg before 21 August 1301 eleven children 24 October 1308 aged 57–58? Sons of Günther V, received jointly their inheritance. It's possible that they co-ruled with their father prior to his death, possibly since c.1270. Henry V [bg][18] c.1250 Second son of Günther V [bg] and Irmgard 1292/3-1293 Oda of Henneberg-Hartenberg two children 1293 aged 42–43? John I c.1250 Third son of Günther V [bg] and Irmgard 1292/3-1303 Unmarried 1303 aged 52–53? Adelaide c.1275? First daughter of Günther VII [bg] and Adelaide of Schwarzburg 10 June 1302 – 1305 County of Arnstadt (half 2.1) Otto V, Count of Weimar-Orlamünde [de] 1296 one child 1305 aged 29–30 Daughters of Gunther VII, divided their inheritance. Possibly inherited their parts of Arnstadt jointly with their husbands. Irmgard 1282 Second daughter of Günther VII [bg] and Adelaide of Schwarzburg 10 June 1302 – 1315 County of Arnstadt (half 2.2) Henry II, Count of Hohnstein before 1302 five children 1315 aged 32–33 Arnstadt half 2.1 annexed to the Hohnstein family; Arnstadt half 2.2 annexed to the County of Weimar-Orlamunde Günther VIII c.1290 First son of Günther VI [bg] and Matilda of Käfernburg 1308-1320 County of Schwarzburg Unmarried 1320 aged 29–30? After his childless death, his brothers divided the county. Matilda c.1270? Daughter of Frederick and Elisabeth of Neuenburg 1312-1338 County of Wiehe Herman IV, Count of Weimar-Orlamünde [de] 1290 nine children 1338 aged 67–68? After her death the county passed to the county of Weimar-Orlamünde. In 1338 Wiehe was annexed to Weimar-Orlamünde Henry VIII [bg][19] c.1290 Second son of Günther VI [bg] and Matilda of Käfernburg 1320-1354/5 County of Leutenberg (with Schwarzburg half 1) Helena of Holstein-Pinneberg ten children Helena of Nuremberg [bg] before 27 January 1346 one child 1354/5 aged 64–65 Brothers of Günther VIII, ruled jointly possibly until 1326, when they received Leutenberg from their kin Günther VII. A division of the inheritance is then made. Günther X [bg][19] c.1305? Third son of Günther VI [bg] and Matilda of Käfernburg 1320-1358 County of Wachsenburg (with Schwarzburg half 2) Richeza of Schlüsselberg before 24 November 1326 six children 1358 aged 52–53 Henry VII[19] c.1290 Second son of Henry VI and Christina of Gleichen-Tonna 11 November 1324 – 1338 County of Blankenburg Elisabeth of Weimar-Orlamünde before 5 June 1321 five children 1338 aged 47–48 Children of Henry VI, ruled jointly until 1326, when they divided their inheritance. It's possible that they had already co-ruled jointly with their father at least since 1320. Gunther IX was also elected in Frankfurt am Main as King of Germany by four Electors who opposed Charles of Luxembourg, who would be later elected as Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor. Günther IX[19] 1303 Blankenburg Third son of Henry VI and Christina of Gleichen-Tonna 11 November 1324 – 18 June 1349 County of Arnstadt[20] Elisabeth of Hohnstein before 9 September 1331 five children 18 June 1349 Frankfurt am Main aged 45–46 Ludolf V c.1290? First son of Gerhard I 1326-1358/61 County of Hallermund (half 2) Unknown four children 1358/61 aged 68–71? Children of Gerhard I, ruled jointly. Ludolf V was the only one of this branch who had descendants. Ludolf's children, (Henry II, Gerhard V and Ludolf VI) are only documented in 1366, but are not known as counts. If they did not succeed their father Ludolf V in the co-rulership, the two halves of Hallermund were reunited after Henry I's abdication in 1384. Gerhard III c.1290? Second son of Gerhard I 1326-c.1340 Unmarried c.1340? aged 49–50? Henry I c.1315? First son of Gerhard I and Gerburg of Homburg 1326-c.1384 c.1400 aged 84–85? Otto I c.1315? Second son of Gerhard I and Gerburg of Homburg 1326-1361 1361 aged 45–46 Günther XI the Elder [bg] c.1300? Son of Günther VIII [bg] and Irmgard of Schwarzburg 1332/3-1371 County of Käfernburg Loretta of Eppstein before 9 November 1341 seven children Irmgard of Weimar-Orlamünde 1364 no children 1371 aged 70–71? Cousins, ruled jointly. Günther XII the Younger c.1300? Son of Günther IX [bg] and Matilda of Regenstein 1332/3-1341 Agnes no children 1341 aged 40–41? Henry IX [bg] 1325 First son of Henry VII and Elisabeth of Weimar-Orlamünde 1338-1372/3 County of Blankenburg Agnes of Hohnstein-Sondershausen [bg] 24 February 1338 eight children 1372/3 aged 47–48 Sons of Henry VII, divided their inheritance. Günther XI [bg] 9 September 1331 Second son of Henry VII and Elisabeth of Weimar-Orlamünde 1338 – 6 June 1368 County of Sondershausen Elisabeth of Hohnstein-Sondershausen [bg] before 11 June 1347 three children 6 June 1368 aged 36 Wilbrand V c.1320? First son of Gerhard II and Elisabeth of Everstein-Polle c.1340-1375 County of Hallermund (half 1 until 1384; both halves since 1384) Unmarried 1377 aged 56–57? Children of Gerhard II, ruled jointly. In 1384, the county of Hallermund was reunited. Wilbrand possibly abdicated to become Archdeacon at Elze. Otto II c.1320? Second son of Gerhard II and Elisabeth of Everstein-Polle 1345/6-1392 Adelaide of the Mark 15 March 1332 three children 1392 aged 71–72? Gerhard IV c.1320? Third son of Gerhard II and Elisabeth of Everstein-Polle c.1345-c.1380 Unmarried c.1380 aged 59–60? Regency of Elisabeth of Hohnstein (1349-1353) After his death Arnstadt reverted to Blankenburg. Henry X [nl] 1339 Son of Günther IX and Elisabeth of Hohnstein 18 June 1349 – November 1357 County of Arnstadt Unmarried November 1357 aged 17–18 In 1357, Arnstadt rejoined Blankenburg Günther XII [bg] 1322 First son of Henry VIII [bg] and Helena of Holstein-Pinneberg 1354/55 – 4 July 1382 County of Schwarzburg (half 1) Magdalena Reuss of Plauen one child Gertrude of Anhalt-Bernburg before 12 August 1371 two children 4 July 1382[21] aged 59–60 Sons of Henry VIII, divided their inheritance Henry XI [bg] c.1340? Second son of Henry VIII [bg] and Helena of Nuremberg [bg] 1354/55-1402 County of Leutenberg Anna Reuss of Plauen 1373 one child 1402 aged 61–62? Günther XIII [bg] c.1320? First son of Günther X [bg] and Richeza of Schlüsselberg 1358-1362 County of Wachsenburg Adelaide of Hohenlohe-Uffenheim 1357 two children 1362 aged 41–42? Children of Günther X, Günther XIII and John II divided their inheritance. Some of John II's children did not survive him, but as they are counted as rulers, it is possible that they co-ruled with him in his part of the inheritance. John II [bg] 1327 Second son of Günther X [bg] and Richeza of Schlüsselberg 1358-1407 County of Schwarzburg (half 2) Richeza of Henneberg-Hartenberg July 1358 seven children Sophia of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg no children February/May 1407 aged 79–80 Günther XVII [bg][22] c.1340 First son of John II [bg] and Richeza of Henneberg-Hartenberg 1373-1395/6 Judith of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg 1375 four children 1395/6 aged 54–56 Henry XV[23] c.1340 Second son of John II [bg] and Richeza of Henneberg-Hartenberg 1373-1395 Unmarried 1395 aged 54–55 Balthasar I c.1340 Fourth son of John II [bg] and Richeza of Henneberg-Hartenberg 1373-1396 1396 aged 55–56 Günther XV[22] c.1340 Son of Günther XIII [bg] and Adelaide of Hohenlohe-Uffenheim 1362-1397 County of Wachsenburg Unmarried 1397 aged 56–57? As he died childless, he left Wachsenburg to his cousin Henry XVII, son of Gunther XVII. George [bg] c.1330? First son of Günther XI [bg] and Loretta of Eppstein 1371-1376 County of Käfernburg (at Ilmenau) Sophia of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg 1353 three children 1376 aged 45–46? George and Günther XIII ruled jointly at first, and after George's death, his son Günther XIV replaced his role in the co-rulership. Günther XIII c.1330? Second son of Günther XI [bg] and Loretta of Eppstein 1371-1386 County of Käfernburg (at Hermannstein) Unmarried 1386 aged 45–46? In 1386, Hermannstein was possibly annexed by the Margraviate of Meissen Henry XII[23] 1339 Second son of Henry IX [bg] and Agnes of Hohnstein-Sondershausen [bg] 1373 County of Blankenburg Unmarried 1373 aged 33–34 Sons of Henry IX, divided their inheritance after possibly co-ruling with their father. They died without male descendants and were succeeded by their cousins from Sondershausen. Henry XIII [bg][23] c.1340 Third son of Henry IX [bg] and Agnes of Hohnstein-Sondershausen [bg] 1373-c.1390 Unknown no children Agnes Reuss of Gera no children c.1390 aged 49–50 Günther XIV [bg][22] c.1340? Fourth son of Henry IX [bg] and Agnes of Hohnstein-Sondershausen [bg] 1373 – 30 April 1418 County of Arnstadt Helena of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg two children Margaret of Henneberg-Schleusingen 23 January 1399 no children 30 April 1418 Lake Constance aged 77–78 In 1418, Arnstadt was re-annexed to Blankenburg Günther XIV the Younger [bg] c.1355 Son of George [bg] and Sophia of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg 1376-1385 County of Käfernburg (at Ilmenau) Matilda of Mansfeld 21 August 1379 no children Agnes of Querfurt no children 1385 Mount Sinai aged 29–30 Died in pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In 1385, Käfernburg was annexed by the Margraviate of Meissen Günther XVIII[22] c.1340? Son of Günther XII [bg] and Magdalena Reuss of Plauen 4 July 1382 – 1397/9 County of Schwarzburg (half 1) Anna of Falkenstein [de] 28 August 1390 two children 1397/9 aged 57–59? Left no male descendants, and the county was re-annexed to Leutenberg. Schwarzburg half 1 rejoined Leutenberg Henry XIV[23] 1350 First son of Günther XI [bg] and Elisabeth of Hohnstein-Sondershausen [bg] 6 June 1368 – c.1390 County of Sondershausen Unmarried 1413 aged 62–63 Sons of Günther XI from Sondershausen, Henry XIV and Günther XVI inherited the rule of Blankenburg and integrated Sonderhausen in it. Later Günther XVI associated Henry XVIII to the co-rulership. c.1390-1413 County of Blankenburg Günther XVI [de][22] 1352 Second son of Günther XI [bg] and Elisabeth of Hohnstein-Sondershausen [bg] 6 June 1368 – c.1390 County of Sondershausen Anna of Leuchtenberg (1354-24 January 1423) before 20 January 1375 three children 17 July 1416 Arnstadt aged 63–64 c.1390 – 17 July 1416 County of Blankenburg Henry XVIII the Younger [bg][23] c.1370 First son of Günther XVI [de] and Anna of Leuchtenberg c.1400 – 10 October 1410 Elisabeth of Weimar-Orlamünde no children 10 October 1410 aged 39–40 Sondershausen rejoined Blankenburg Otto III c.1350? Son of Otto II and Adelaide of the Mark 1392-1411 County of Hallermund Elisabeth no children 1411/2 aged 61–62? In 1411, endebted, sold the county to the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and died not long after. In 1411 Hallermund was sold to the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Henry XVII [bg][23] c.1380 First son of Günther XVII [bg] and Judith of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg 1397-1406 County of Wachsenburg Margaret of Hohenlohe-Brauneck 29 October 1398 no children 1406 aged 25-26 Son of Gunther XVII from Schwarzburg half 1, inherited Wachsenburg from his cousin Gunther XV. In 1406 Wachsenburg was annexed to Blankenburg Anna Reuss of Plauen 1354 Daughter of Henry VI, Lord of Reuss-Plauen [bg] and Luitgard of Kranichfeld 1402-1410 County of Leutenberg (at Remda) Henry XI [bg] 1373 one child 1410 aged 55–56 Ruled jointly. After Anna's death, Henry XVI (who may have been co-ruling with his father since at least the 1390s), inherited her feud at Remda. Albert I was a canon at Köln and then at Würzburg, and maybe had to abdicate before entering into clergy. Henry XVI [bg][23] 1375 First son of Henry XI [bg] and Anna Reuss of Plauen 1402-1426 County of Leutenberg Margaret one child Elisabeth of Weimar-Orlamünde one child 1426 aged 50–51 Albert I c.1375? Second son of Henry XI [bg] and Anna Reuss of Plauen 1402-1411 Unmarried 15 July 1421 aged 45–46? Albert II c.1375? Fourth son of Henry XI [bg] and Anna Reuss of Plauen 1402-1431 1431 aged 55–56? Günther XIX [bg] c.1380 Second son of Günther XVII [bg] and Judith of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg 1407-1450 County of Schwarzburg (half 2) Matilda of Henneberg-Schleusingen [bg] 16 November 1407 three children Catharina of Schönburg-Glauchau 18 February 1453 no children 1450 aged 69–70 Son of Gunther XVII, inherited his half of Schwarzburg directly from his grandfather John II, as his father and uncles predeceased him. After his death, most of his half of Schwarzburg was annexed to Blankenburg. In 1450 Schwarzburg half 2 (with exceptions) was annexed to Blankenburg Henry XIX [bg] the Bellicose 1388 Blankenburg Second son of Günther XVI [de] and Anna of Leuchtenberg 17 July 1416 – 7 October 1444 County of Blankenburg Catharina of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel [bg] 1413 three children 7 October 1444 Arnstadt aged 55–56 Henry XX [bg] 1412 Son of Henry XVI [bg] and Elisabeth of Weimar-Orlamünde 1431-1462/4 County of Leutenberg Brigitte Reuss of Gera 1443 three children 1462/4 Leutenberg aged 49–52 Henry XXI [nl] 23 October 1418 Son of Henry XIX [bg] and Catharina of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel [bg] 7 October 1444 – 13 January 1488 County of Blankenburg Elisabeth of Clèves 15 July 1434 eleven children 13 January 1488 aged 69 Possibly abdicated from Arnstadt and Sondershausen for his eldest children. Ursula c.1410 Daughter of Günther XIX [bg] and Matilda of Henneberg-Schleusingen [bg] 1450-1461 County of Schwarzburg (half 2, at Ehrenstein) Gebhard V, Count of Mansfeld [bg] 1428 two children Louis, Count of Gleichen-Blankenhein [bg] 1442 one child 1461 aged 50–51 Inherited Ehrenstein from her father. After her death, Ehrenstein was annexed to Mansfeld. In 1461 Ehrenstein was annexed to the House of Mansfeld Regency of Brigitte Reuss of Gera (1462/4-1473) Balthasar II [bg] 1453 Son of Henry XX [bg] and Brigitte Reuss of Gera 1462/4 – 18 June 1525 County of Leutenberg Anna Sack 1494 two children 18 June 1525 aged 71–72 Günther XX 'the Elder [nl] ' 8 July 1439 First son of Henry XXI [nl] and Elisabeth of Clèves 1476 – 30 December 1503 County of Arnstadt Margaret of Henneberg-Schleusingen 22/29 October 1458 Arnstadt two children 30 December 1503 Rudolstadt aged 64 Elder sons of Henry XXI, possibly ruled in separate feuds created by their father. Gunther XX had no children, and his estate came into possession of his brother. Gunther XXI. Günther XXI the Middle [nl] 1450 Rudolstadt Second son of Henry XXI [nl] and Elisabeth of Clèves 1476 – 19 November 1484 County of Sondershausen Catharina of Querfurt 1470 four children 19 November 1484 Delmenhorst aged 33–34 In 1503 Arnstadt was briefly annexed to Sondershausen Regency of Günther XX, Count of Arnstadt [nl], (1484-1487) Henry XXII [nl] November 1473 Son of Günther XXI [nl] and Catharina of Querfurt 19 November 1484 – 4 August 1526 County of Sondershausen Magdalena of Hohnstein 1449 four children Anna of Nassau-Idstein 19 August 1506 one child 4 August 1526 Nordhausen aged 52 Günther XXII [nl] of Bremen 30 May 1455 Third son of Henry XXI [nl] and Elisabeth of Clèves 13 January 1488 – 8 August 1531 County of Blankenburg Amalia of Mansfeld 3 November 1493 Sondershausen three children 8 August 1531 aged 75–76 Younger son of Henry XXI, inherited his father's main possessions in Blankenburg. John Henry, Count of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg [bg] 1496 Son of Balthasar II [bg] and Anna Sack 18 June 1525 – 14 March 1555 County of Leutenberg Margaret Reuss of Weida 13 January 1527 nine children 14 March 1555 Glauchau aged 58–59 Günther XXIII the Rich 31 October 1499 Sondershausen Son of Henry XXII [nl] and Magdalena of Hohnstein 4 August 1526 – 10 November 1552 County of Arnstadt Elisabeth of Isenburg-Ronneburg [bg] 29 November 1528 Sondershausen three children 10 November 1552 Gehren aged 53 Children of Henry XXII, divided their inheritance. In 1537 Gunther inherited his childless brother's possessions in Sondershausen, and in the next year his cousin's at Blankenburg. Henry XXIV the Younger [nl][24] 7 August 1507 Sondershausen Son of Henry XXII [nl] and Anna of Nassau-Idstein 4 August 1526 – 10 January 1537 County of Sondershausen Margaret of Schönberg 4/17 March 1531 Dresden no children 10 January 1537 Frankenhausen aged 29 In 1537 Sondershausen was annexed to Arnstadt Henry XXIII The Reformer [nl][24] 23 March 1499 Son of Günther XXII [nl] and Amalia of Mansfeld 8 August 1531 – 12 July 1538 County of Blankenburg Catharina of Henneberg-Schleusingen, the Heroic [de] 14 November 1524 six children 12 July 1538 aged 39 Son of Günther XXII. Left no male descendants, and his possessions were inherited by Arnstadt. In 1538 Blankenburg was annexed to Arnstadt Regency of Margaret Reuss of Weida (1555-1559) His childless death allowed the Arnstadt branch to reunify the remnants of the old county of Schwarzburg. Philip I [bg] 1540 Son of John Henry, Count of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg [bg] and Margaret Reuss of Weida 14 March 1555 – 8 October 1564 County of Leutenberg Catharina of Brunswick-Grubenhagen 4 December 1559 Saalfeld no children 8 October 1564 Leipzig aged 23–24 In 1564 Leutenberg was annexed to Arnstadt Günther XXIV the Bellicose 25 September 1529 Sondershausen First son of Günther XXIII and Elisabeth of Isenburg-Ronneburg [bg] 10 November 1552 – 1564 County of Arnstadt Catherine of Nassau-Dillenburg 17 November 1560 Arnstadt three children 23 May 1583 Antwerp aged 53 Children of Günther XXIII. Günther XXIV inherited alone his father's possessions centered at Arnstadt. In 1564 briefly reunited Schwarzburg, and seven years later redivided it between himself and his brothers. As Gunther himself left no descendants, his domains were absorbed by Sondershausen. The same happened to William, who inherited Frankenhausen and also left no children. Frankenhausen was absorbed by Rudolstadt 8 October 1564 – 1571 County of Schwarzburg 1571 – 23 May 1583 County of Arnstadt Arnstadt was annexed to Sonderhausen John Günther I 20 December 1532 Sondershausen Second son of Günther XXIII and Elisabeth of Isenburg-Ronneburg [bg] 1571 – 28 October 1586 County of Sondershausen Anna of Oldenburg [bg] 16 February 1566 Sondershausen twelve children 28 October 1586 Arnstadt aged 53 William 4 October 1534 Sondershausen Third son of Günther XXIII and Elisabeth of Isenburg-Ronneburg [bg] 1571 – 30 September 1598 County of Frankenhausen Elisabeth of Schlick 6 April 1567 Frankenhausen no children Clara of Brunswick-Lüneburg 7 March 1593 Frankenhausen no children 30 September 1598 Straussberg [de] aged 63 Frankenhausen was annexed to Rudolstadt Albert III 16 January 1537 Sondershausen Second son of Günther XXIII and Elisabeth of Isenburg-Ronneburg [bg] 1571 – 10 April 1605 County of Rudolstadt Juliana of Nassau-Siegen 14 June 1575 Rudolstadt ten children Albertine Elisabeth of Leiningen-Westerburg 2 March 1591 Rudolstadt no children 10 April 1605 Rudolstadt aged 68 Günther XXV [de] 7 September 1570 Sondershausen First son of John Günther I and Anna of Oldenburg [bg] 28 October 1586 – 7 January 1643 County of Sondershausen Unmarried 7 January 1643 Sondershausen aged 72 Sons of John Günther I, ruled jointly. Anton Henry 7 October 1571 Sondershausen Second son of John Günther I and Anna of Oldenburg [bg] 28 October 1586 – 10 August 1638 10 August 1638 Sondershausen aged 66 John Günther II [de] 3 May 1577 Sondershausen Third son of John Günther I and Anna of Oldenburg [bg] 28 October 1586 – 16 December 1631 16 December 1631 Sondershausen aged 54 Christian Günther I 11 May 1578 Sondershausen Fourth son of John Günther I and Anna of Oldenburg [bg] 28 October 1586 – 25 November 1642 Anna Sibylle of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [bg] 15 November 1612 Sondershausen nine children 25 November 1642 Arnstadt aged 64 Charles Günther the Multiplier[25] 6 November 1576 Rudolstadt First son of Albert III and Juliana of Nassau-Siegen 10 April 1605 – 24 September 1630 County of Rudolstadt Anna Sophie of Anhalt 13 June 1611 Rudolstadt no children 24 September 1630 Kranichfeld aged 53 Sons of Albert III, ruled jointly. Louis Günther I the Strong[25] 27 June 1581 Rudolstadt Second son of Albert III and Juliana of Nassau-Siegen 10 April 1605 – 4 November 1646 Emilie of Oldenburg-Delmenhorst 4 February 1638 Rudolstadt five children 4 November 1646 Rudolstadt aged 65 Albert Günther [fr] 8 August 1582 Rudolstadt Third son of Albert III and Juliana of Nassau-Siegen 10 April 1605 – 20 January 1634 Unmarried 20 January 1634 Erfurt aged 52 Christian Günther II the Pious 1 April 1616 Ebeleben Second son of Christian Günther I and Anna Sibylle of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [bg] 7 January 1643 – 10 September 1666 County of Arnstadt Sophia Dorothea of Mörsperg-Beffort 1645 Arnstadt six children 10 September 1666 Arnstadt aged 50 Children of Christian Günther I, divided their inheritance.Ebeleben returned to Sondershausen after Louis Gunther's death. Anton Günther I 9 January 1620 Ebeleben Third son of Christian Günther I and Anna Sibylle of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [bg] 7 January 1643 – 19 August 1666 County of Sondershausen Maria Magdalene of Palatinate-Birkenfeld [fr] 29 October 1644 Sondershausen ten children 19 August 1666 Ebeleben aged 46 Louis Günther II 2 March 1621 Ebeleben Fourth son of Christian Günther I and Anna Sibylle of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [bg] 7 January 1643 – 20 July 1681 County of Sondershausen (at Ebeleben) Concordia of Sayn-Wittgenstein [bg] 30 March 1669 Ebeleben two children 20 July 1681 Arnstadt aged 60 In 1681 Ebeleben was annexed again to Sondershausen Regency of Emilie of Oldenburg-Delmenhorst (1646-1662) He was elevated twice to an Imperial Prince, but only accepted the second proposal, at the end of his reign (1710). The County evolved into a Principality. Albert Anton 14 November 1641 Rudolstadt Son of Louis Günther I and Emilie of Oldenburg-Delmenhorst 4 November 1646 – 15 December 1710 County of Rudolstadt (until 1710) Principality of Rudolstadt (from 1710) Emilie Juliane of Barby-Mühlingen 7 July 1665 Rudolstadt two children 15 December 1710 Rudolstadt aged 69 Regency of Sophia Dorothea of Mörsperg-Beffort (1666-1668) Died without descendants. The county passed to his cousin, Anton Günther II. John Günther III [nl] 30 June 1654 Son of Christian Günther II and Sophia Dorothea of Mörsperg-Beffort 10 September 1666 – 29 August 1669 County of Arnstadt Unmarried 29 August 1669 aged 15 Christian William 6 January 1647 Sondershausen First son of Anton Günther I and Maria Magdalene of Palatinate-Birkenfeld [fr] 19 August 1666 – 10 May 1721 County of Sondershausen (until 1697) Principality of Sondershausen (from 1697) Antonia Sybilla of Barby-Mühlingen [fr] 22 August 1673 Sondershausen seven children Wilhelmine Christiane of Saxe-Weimar [fr] 1684 Sondershausen eight children 10 May 1721 Sondershausen aged 74 Inherited Sondershausen from his father, in 1681 Eberleben from his uncle Louis Günther II, and in 1716, Arnstadt from his brother. In 1697 he was raised to Imperial Prince. Anton Günther II 10 October 1653 Sondershausen Second son of Anton Günther I and Maria Magdalene of Palatinate-Birkenfeld [fr] 29 August 1669 – 20 December 1716 County of Arnstadt (until 1697) Principality of Arnstadt (from 1697) Augusta Dorothea of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel 7 August 1684 Wolfenbüttel no children 20 December 1716 Arnstadt aged 63 Inherited Arnstadt from his cousin. In 1697 he was raised to Imperial Prince. However, left no descendants. The Principality returned to Sondershausen In 1716 Arnstadt was annexed again to Sondershausen Louis Frederick I 25 October 1667 Rudolstadt Son of Albert Anton and Emilie Juliane of Barby-Mühlingen 15 December 1710 – 24 June 1718 Principality of Rudolstadt Anna Sophie of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg 15 October 1691 Gotha thirteen children 24 June 1718 Rudolstadt aged 50 Frederick Anton 14 October 1692 Rudolstadt First son of Louis Frederick I and Anna Sophie of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg 24 June 1718 – 1 September 1744 Principality of Rudolstadt Sophia Wilhelmina of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld 8 February 1720 Saalfeld three children Sophia Christina of East Frisia [de] 6 January 1729 Rudolstadt no children 1 September 1744 Rudolstadt aged 51 Günther XXVI 13 August 1678 Auleben Third son of Christian William and Antonia Sybilla of Barby-Mühlingen [fr] 10 May 1721 – 28 November 1740 Principality of Sondershausen Elisabeth Albertine of Anhalt-Bernburg [de] 2 October 1712 Sondershausen no children 28 November 1740 Sondershausen aged 62 Left no descendants. The Principality passed to his half-brother, Henry. Henry XXV the Diamond Prince 8 November 1689 Sondershausen First son of Christian William and Wilhelmine Christiane of Saxe-Weimar [fr] 28 November 1740 – 6 November 1758 Principality of Sondershausen Unmarried 6 November 1758 Frankfurt am Main aged 68 Left no descendants. The Principality passed to his nephew, Christian Günther III, son of his brother August. John Frederick 8 January 1721 Rudolstadt Son of Frederick Anton and Sophia Wilhelmina of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld 1 September 1744 – 10 July 1767 Principality of Rudolstadt Bernardina Christina Sophia of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach 19 November 1744 Eisenach six children 10 July 1767 Rudolstadt aged 46 Left no male descendants. The principality passed to his uncle. Christian Günther III 24 June 1736 Ebeleben Son of Augustus of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen [de] and Charlotte Sophie of Anhalt-Bernburg [fr] 6 November 1758 – 14 October 1794 Principality of Sondershausen Charlotte Wilhelmine of Anhalt-Bernburg [fr] 4 February 1760 Sondershausen six children 14 October 1794 Sondershausen aged 58 Nephew of Günther XXVI and Henry XXV. Louis Günther II 22 October 1708 Rudolstadt Fourth son of Louis Frederick I and Anna Sophie of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg 10 July 1767 – 29 August 1790 Principality of Rudolstadt Sophie Henrietta Reuss of Greiz [uk] 22 October 1733 Greiz four children 29 August 1790 Rudolstadt aged 81 Succeeded his nephew. Frederick Charles 7 June 1736 Rudolstadt Son of Louis Günther II and Sophie Henrietta Reuss of Greiz [uk] 29 August 1790 – 13 April 1793 Principality of Rudolstadt Frederica Sophie Auguste of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [bg] 21 October 1763 Rudolstadt six children Auguste Louise Frederica of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg [it] 28 November 1780 Rudolstadt no children 13 April 1793 Rudolstadt aged 56 Louis Frederick II 9 August 1767 Rudolstadt Son of Frederick Charles and Frederica Sophie Auguste of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [bg] 13 April 1793 – 28 April 1807 Principality of Rudolstadt Caroline of Hesse-Homburg 21 June 1791 Homburg seven children 28 April 1807 Rudolstadt aged 39 Günther Frederick Charles I 5 December 1760 Sondershausen Son of Christian Günther III and Charlotte Wilhelmine of Anhalt-Bernburg [fr] 14 October 1794 – 19 August 1835 Principality of Sondershausen Caroline of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [uk] 23 June 1799 Sondershausen two children 22 April 1837 Sondershausen aged 76 Abdicated. Regency of Caroline of Hesse-Homburg (1807-1814) He left no surviving legitimate children. The principality passed to his brother Albert. Frederick Günther 6 November 1793 Rudolstadt First son of Louis Frederick II and Caroline of Hesse-Homburg 28 April 1807 – 28 June 1867 Principality of Rudolstadt Auguste of Anhalt-Dessau 15 April 1816 Dessau three children Helene of Reina (morganatic) 7 August 1855 Dresden two children Maria Schultze (morganatic) 24 September 1861 Rudolstadt no children 28 June 1867 Rudolstadt aged 73 Günther Frederick Charles II 24 September 1801 Sondershausen Son of Günther Frederick Charles I and Caroline of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [uk] 19 August 1835 – 17 July 1880 Principality of Sondershausen Irene Maria of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [uk] 12 March 1827 Sondershausen four children Matilda of Hohenlohe-Öhringen [de] 29 May 1835 Öhringen two children 15 September 1889 Sondershausen aged 87 Abdicated due to an eye condition. Albert IV 30 April 1798 Rudolstadt Second son of Louis Frederick II and Caroline of Hesse-Homburg 28 June 1867 – 26 November 1869 Principality of Rudolstadt Augusta Louise of Solms-Braunfels [uk] 26 July 1827 Rudolstadt four children 26 November 1869 Rudolstadt aged 71 George Albert 23 November 1838 Rudolstadt Son of Albert IV and Augusta Louise of Solms-Braunfels [uk] 28 November 1869 – 19 January 1890 Principality of Rudolstadt Unmarried 19 January 1890 Rudolstadt aged 51 Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his cousin, George Victor. Charles Günther 7 August 1830 Arnstadt Son of Günther Frederick Charles II and Irene Maria of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [uk] 17 July 1880 – 28 March 1909 Principality of Sondershausen Marie Gasparine of Saxe-Altenburg 12 June 1869 Altenburg no children 28 March 1909 Dresden aged 78 Left no descendants. After his death Sondershausen was annexed to Rudolstadt. In 1909 Sondershausen was annexed to Rudolstadt Günther Victor 21 August 1852 Rudolstadt Son of Adolph of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt [de] and Princess Mathilde of Schönburg-Waldenburg 19 January 1890 – 28 March 1909 Principality of Rudolstadt Anna Louise of Schönburg-Waldenburg 9 December 1891 Rudolstadt no children 16 April 1925 Sondershausen aged 72 Great-grandson of Frederick Charles. In 1909 reunited the principalities of Rudolstadt and Sonderhausen. In 1918, following the German revolution, abdicated and became Titular Prince. 28 March 1909 – 22 November 1918 Principality of Schwarzburg

See also

• Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
• Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
• List of consorts of Schwarzburg