Frederick II (German: Friedrich II.), also known as Frederick the Pious (German: der Fromme (1418 – 1478) was the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Prince of Lüneburg from 1434 to 1457 and from 1472 to 1478.
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After the death of his father Bernard, Frederick ruled the Principality of Lüneburg jointly with his brother Otto. The highlights of their rule were a major expansion of Celle Castle and numerous reforms to improve the legal position of farmers vis-à-vis their landlords. After his brother died in 1446, Frederick ruled the principality on his own. In 1452 he had a monastery built on the Heylig Kreuz ("Holy Cross") and brought Franciscan monks to Celle. In 1457 he passed the government of the principality to his son, Bernard, and entered the monastery, but in 1471, after the death of his second son Otto V, he left monastic life again and held the reins of power for his 3-year old first grandchild Henry. Frederick was interred in the church of the Franciscan monastery that he had founded in Celle.
In 1437 Frederick II married Magdalene (1412–1454), daughter of Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg, and had three children by her:
Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg
Cadet branch of the House of Este
Born: 1418 Died: 19 March 1478 in Celle |
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German nobility | ||
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Preceded by Bernard I |
Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg Princes of Lunenburg until 1446 joint reign with brother Otto IV 1434–1457 |
Succeeded by Bernard II |
Preceded by Otto V the Victorious |
Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg Prince of Lunenburg 1472–1478 |
Succeeded by Henry the Middle |