House of Schwarzburg

(Redirected from Schwarzburg-Blankenburg)

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
CountrySchwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
Founded12th century
FounderSizzo I, Count of Schwarzburg
Final rulerPrince Günther Victor
TitlesCount, Prince
Deposition1918
Coat of arms of the Schwarzburg family

Family history

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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.

Rulers of Schwarzburg

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House of Schwarzburg

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Partitions of Schwarzburg under Schwarzburg rule

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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

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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 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 c.1030?
Son of Sizzo I
c.1050-1118 County of Schwarzburg Unknown
at least one child
c.1118
aged 77–78?
Günther I c.1050?
Son of Sizzo II
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   1093
Son of Günther I 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 1130
First son of Sizzo III 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 1135
Second son of Sizzo III and Gisela of Berg
19 June 1160 – 26 July 1184 County of Käfernburg Agnes of Saarbrücken
four children

Adelaide of Loccum-Hallermund
1178
three children
1197
aged 31–32
26 July 1184 – 1197 County of Schwarzburg
Henry II the Elder c.1160
First son of Günther II 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[14] c.1160
Second son of Günther II 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[15] 1180
Son of Günther II and Adelaide of Loccum-Hallermund
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 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 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[16] c.1200?
First son of Günther III 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 c.1200?
Second son of Günther III 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
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
1255-1312 Elisabeth of Neuenburg
before 8 July 1280
two children
1312
aged 71–72?
Berthold c.1240?
Third son of Albert I
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
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 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 c.1230?
Son of Günther IV 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 c.1250?
First son of Günther V the Elder 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 c.1250?
Second son of Günther V the Elder 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 c.1235
First son of Günther IV and Sophia
1275/8-1292/3 County of Schwarzburg Irmgard
nine children

Helena of Saxe-Lauenburg
1283
no children
1292/3
aged 56–57?
Children of Günther IV, divided their inheritance.
Henry IV c.1235
Second son of Günther IV and Sophia
1275/8-1287 County of Blankenburg Sofia Daniilovna of Galicia-Volhynia
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 and Sofia Daniilovna of Galicia-Volhynia
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 and Sofia Daniilovna of Galicia-Volhynia
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 c.1270?
First son of Günther VI 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 c.1270?
Third son of Günther VI 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 and Sophia of Lüchow
1289-1295 Unmarried 1295
aged 24–25?
Otto c.1270?
Second son of Günther VI and Sophia of Lüchow
1289-1306 County of Arnstadt
(half 1)
1306
aged 35–36?
Half 1 of Arnstadt annexed to Blankenburg
Günther VI[18] c.1250
First son of Günther V 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[18] c.1250
Second son of Günther V and Irmgard
1292/3-1293 Oda of Henneberg-Hartenberg
two children
1293
aged 42–43?
John I c.1250
Third son of Günther V and Irmgard
1292/3-1303 Unmarried 1303
aged 52–53?
Adelaide c.1275?
First daughter of Günther VII and Adelaide of Schwarzburg
10 June 1302 – 1305 County of Arnstadt
(half 2.1)
Otto V, Count of Weimar-Orlamunde
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 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 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
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[19] c.1290
Second son of Günther VI and Matilda of Käfernburg
1320-1354/5 County of Leutenberg
(with Schwarzburg half 1)
Helena of Holstein-Pinneberg
ten children

Helena of Nuremberg
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[19] c.1305?
Third son of Günther VI 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 c.1300?
Son of Günther VIII 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 and Matilda of Regenstein
1332/3-1341 Agnes
no children
1341
aged 40–41?
Henry IX 1325
First son of Henry VII and Elisabeth of Weimar-Orlamünde
1338-1372/3 County of Blankenburg Agnes of Hohnstein-Sondershausen
24 February 1338
eight children
1372/3
aged 47–48
Sons of Henry VII, divided their inheritance.
Günther XI 9 September 1331
Second son of Henry VII and Elisabeth of Weimar-Orlamünde
1338 – 6 June 1368 County of Sondershausen Elisabeth of Hohnstein-Sondershausen
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 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 1322
First son of Henry VIII 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 c.1340?
First son of Henry VIII and Helena of Nuremberg
1354/55-1402 County of Leutenberg Anna Reuss of Plauen
1373
one child
1402
aged 61–62?
Günther XIII c.1320?
First son of Günther X 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 npt 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 1327
Second son of Günther X 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[22] c.1340
First son of John II 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 and Richeza of Henneberg-Hartenberg
1373-1395 Unmarried 1395
aged 54–55
Balthasar I c.1340
Fourth son of John II and Richeza of Henneberg-Hartenberg
1373-1396 1396
aged 55–56
Günther XV[22] c.1340
Son of Günther XIII 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 c.1330?
First son of Günther XI 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 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 and Agnes of Hohnstein-Sondershausen
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[23] c.1340
Third son of Henry IX and Agnes of Hohnstein-Sondershausen
1373-c.1390 Unknown
no children

Agnes Reuss of Gera
no children
c.1390
aged 49–50
Günther XIV[22] c.1340?
Fourth son of Henry IX and Agnes of Hohnstein-Sondershausen
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 c.1355
Son of George 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 and Magdalena Reuss of Plauen
4 July 1382 – 1397/9 County of Schwarzburg
(half 1)
Anna of Falkenstein
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 and Elisabeth of Hohnstein-Sondershausen
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[22] 1352
Second son of Günther XI and Elisabeth of Hohnstein-Sondershausen
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[23] c.1370
First son of Günther XVI 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[23] c.1380
First son of Günther XVII 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 and Luitgard of Kranichfeld
1402-1410 County of Leutenberg
(at Remda)
Henry XI
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[23] 1375
First son of Henry XI 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 and Anna Reuss of Plauen
1402-1411 Unmarried 15 July 1421
aged 45–46?
Albert II c.1375?
Fourth son of Henry XI and Anna Reuss of Plauen
1402-1431 1431
aged 55–56?
Günther XIX c.1380
Second son of Günther XVII and Judith of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg
1407-1450 County of Schwarzburg
(half 2)
Matilda of Henneberg-Schleusingen
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 the Bellicose 1388
Blankenburg
Second son of Günther XVI and Anna of Leuchtenberg
17 July 1416 – 7 October 1444 County of Blankenburg Catharina of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
1413
three children
7 October 1444
Arnstadt
aged 55–56
Henry XX 1412
Son of Henry XVI 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 23 October 1418
Son of Henry XIX and Catharina of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
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 and Matilda of Henneberg-Schleusingen
1450-1461 County of Schwarzburg
(half 2,
at Ehrenstein)
Gebhard V, Count of Mansfeld
1428
two children

Louis, Count of Gleichen-Blankenhein
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 1453
Son of Henry XX 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 8 July 1439
First son of Henry XXI 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 1450
Rudolstadt
Second son of Henry XXI 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 (1484-1487)
Henry XXII November 1473
Son of Günther XXI 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 of Bremen 30 May 1455
Third son of Henry XXI 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 1496
Son of Balthasar II 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 and Magdalena of Hohnstein
4 August 1526 – 10 November 1552 County of Arnstadt Elisabeth of Isenburg-Ronneburg
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[24] 7 August 1507
Sondershausen
Son of Henry XXII 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[24]   23 March 1499
Son of Günther XXII and Amalia of Mansfeld
8 August 1531 – 12 July 1538 County of Blankenburg Catharina of Henneberg-Schleusingen, the Heroic
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 1540
Son of John Henry 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
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
1571 – 28 October 1586 County of Sondershausen Anna of Oldenburg
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
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
aged 63
Frankenhausen was annexed to Rudolstadt
Albert III   16 January 1537
Sondershausen
Second son of Günther XXIII and Elisabeth of Isenburg-Ronneburg
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 7 September 1570
Sondershausen
First son of John Günther I and Anna of Oldenburg
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
28 October 1586 – 10 August 1638 10 August 1638
Sondershausen
aged 66
John Günther II 3 May 1577
Sondershausen
Third son of John Günther I and Anna of Oldenburg
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
28 October 1586 – 25 November 1642 Anna Sibylle of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
15 November 1612
Sondershausen
nine children
25 November 1642
Arnstadt
aged 64
Charles Günther   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   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   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
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
7 January 1643 – 19 August 1666 County of Sondershausen Maria Magdalene of Palatinate-Birkenfeld
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
7 January 1643 – 20 July 1681 County of Sondershausen
(at Ebeleben)
Concordia of Sayn-Wittgenstein
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 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
19 August 1666 – 10 May 1721 County of Sondershausen
(until 1697)

Principality of Sondershausen
(from 1697)
Antonia Sybilla of Barby-Mühlingen
22 August 1673
Sondershausen
seven children

Wilhelmine Christiane of Saxe-Weimar
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
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
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
10 May 1721 – 28 November 1740 Principality of Sondershausen Elisabeth Albertine of Anhalt-Bernburg
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
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 August of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen and Charlotte Sophie of Anhalt-Bernburg
6 November 1758 – 14 October 1794 Principality of Sondershausen Charlotte Wilhelmine of Anhalt-Bernburg
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
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
29 August 1790 – 13 April 1793 Principality of Rudolstadt Frederica Sophie Auguste of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
21 October 1763
Rudolstadt
six children

Auguste Louise Frederica of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
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
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
14 October 1794 – 19 August 1835 Principality of Sondershausen Caroline of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
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
19 August 1835 – 17 July 1880 Principality of Sondershausen Irene Maria of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
12 March 1827
Sondershausen
four children

Matilda of Hohenlohe-Öhringen
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
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
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
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 and 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

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References

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  1. ^ The House of Schwarzburg on Heraldica.org
  2. ^ James, John Almanach de Gotha, Volume I, 2013.
  3. ^ As it is an inherited land, the counting of the presented rulers respects the one of the land, and not the family's.
  4. ^ Leutenberg briefly separated from Blankenburg in 1287-1326 before being inherited by the Leutenberg branch.
  5. ^ Arnstadt was ruled by two counts: Gunther VI and Gunther VII. Otto (Gunther VI's son) gave his part to Blankenburg in 1306; Gunther VII died in 1302 and passed it to his two daughters: Irmgard's part went to Hohnstein family; Adelaide's part went to the County of Weimar-Orlamünde; Adelaide's daughter remarries into Schwarzburg family and marries Henry VII, Count of Blankenburg, bringing with her her mother Adelaide's part of Gunther VII's fraction of Arnstadt.
  6. ^ From 1223 a different numbering starts from the one at Schwarzburg
  7. ^ Leutenberg proper was acquired in 1326.
  8. ^ Gunther IX's part of the inheritance possibly corresponded with the original Otto's fraction of Arnstadt, inherited by Blankenburg in 1306.
  9. ^ At Ehrenstein, Schwarzburg rule lasted until 1461, and was then annexed to the House of Mansfeld.
  10. ^ Briefly reunited with Sondershausen in 1503-1526
  11. ^ Arnstadt briefly reunited with Sondershausen in 1583-1643
  12. ^ According to Europäische Stammtafeln. Detlev Schwennicke: Europäische Stammtafeln, Neue Folge, Band I.3, Tafel 312, Publisher: Vittorio Klostermann, Frankfurt am Main, 2000.
  13. ^ According to Cronica Reinhardsbrunnensis. Cronica Reinhardsbrunnensis 1034, MGH SS XXX.1, p. 517.
  14. ^ Despite ruling in Kafernburg, Gunther III is also counted as Count of Schwarzburg.
  15. ^ His maternal uncle was Count Ludolf I
  16. ^ From Gunther IV on, the alternative counting gives an independent numbering for the Counts of Kafernburg.
  17. ^ His great-grandmother's father and brother were respectively Counts Wilbrand I and Wilbrand II.
  18. ^ a b c d Brothers Gunther VI and Henry V seem to have ascended later than their cousins anad brothers Henry VI and Gunther VII, despite the former pair being elder than the latter. It's possible that Gunther VI and Henry V were already co-ruling with their father (Gunther V) at least c.1270, or at least shortly before their cousins Henry VI and Gunther VII arrived in power (1287).
  19. ^ a b c d The brothers Henry VIII and Gunther X apparently ascended first than their cousins Henry VII and Gunther IX. It's possible that they were numbered that way because Henry VII and Gunther IX were elder than Henry VIII and Gunther X, or because the former two (Henry VII and Gunther IX) were possibly co-ruling jointly with their father Henry VI in Blankenburg, before dividing their estates in 1326.
  20. ^ As said previously, Gunther IX's part was probably from Otto of Arnstadt, and as so part of Blankenburg patrimony since 1306.
  21. ^ According to some sources he died in 1362.
  22. ^ a b c d e In the period 1350-1400, there were a lot of co-rulerships of children who did not survive their fathers, which compromised and confused the counting order. Gunther XIV, official ruler from 1373 at Arnstadt, possibly co-ruled with his father Henry IX (and his brothers Henry XII and Henry XIII) since c.1360. Gunther XV, started his rule in 1362 in Wachsenburg. Gunther XVI started his co-rulership in Sondershausen in 1368. Gunther XVII, did not survive his father John II, but co-ruled with him in half 2 of Schwarzburg from 1373. Gunther XVIII ascended in half 1 of Schwarzburg, in 1382.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g In the period 1350-1400, there were a lot of co-rulerships of children who didn't survive their fathers, which compromised and confused the counting order. Henry XII and Henry XIII, official rulers from 1373 in Blankenburg, possibly co-ruled with their father Henry IX (and their brothers Gunther XIV) since c.1360. Henry XIV started his co-rulership in Sondershausen in 1368. Henry XV did not survive his father John II, but co-ruled with him in half 2 of Schwarzburg from 1373.Henry XVI, despite ascending alone in 1402, probably co-ruled with his father (Henry XI) since c.1390. Henry XVII, ascended in Wachsenburg in 1397. Henry XVIII started his co-rulership in Blankenburg with his father Henry XIV and uncle Gunther XVI in c.1400.
  24. ^ a b Henry XXIII and Henry XXIV were cousins and were numbered according to their birth order, but the latter ascended first than the former.
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