Reuss Elder Line

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Fürstentum Reuß ältere Linie
Principality of Reuss Elder Line
1778 – 1918
Flag Coat of arms
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Reuss Elder Line
Reuss Elder Line within Thuringia
Capital Greiz
Government Principality
History
 - Established 1778
 - Merged with younger line 1918
 - Thuringia founded 1919

The Principality of Reuss Elder Line (German: Fürstentum Reuß ältere Linie) was a state in Germany, ruled by members of the House of Reuss. The Counts Reuss of Greiz, Lower- and Upper Greiz (German: Reuß zu Greiz, Untergreiz und Obergreiz), were elevated to princely status in 1778. Its members bore the title Prince Reuss, Elder Line, or Prince Reuss of Greiz. Similarly to the more numerous Reuss Younger Line, the male members of this house were all named "Heinrich" and were numbered sequentially by birth, rather than by reign, the last series beginning with Heinrich I (born 1693) and ending with Heinrich XXIV (1878-1927).

The Prinicipality of Reuss Elder Line had an area of 317 km² and a population of 71,000 (1905). Its capital was Greiz.

In the aftermath of World War I, the territory of the Elder Line was merged with the Junior Line in 1919 as the Republic of Reuss, which was incorporated into the new state of Thuringia in 1919. The Reuss Elder Line died with the death of the childless Heinrich XXIV in 1927, after which its claims were passed to the younger line.

[edit] Princes Reuss, Elder Line (1778-1918)

  • Heinrich XI 1778-1800
  • Heinrich XIII 1800-1817
  • Heinrich XIX 1817-1836
  • Heinrich XX 1836-1859
  • Heinrich XXII 1859-1902
  • Heinrich XXIV 1902-1918

[edit] Princes post monarchy

  • Heinrich XXIV 1918-1927

To Reuss Junior Line on the death of Prince Heinrich XXIV