Hohenzollern

The Hohenzollern are a European royal family which reigned on the Brandebourg starting from 1415. They were with the head of the duchy of Prussia, become kingdom of Prussia in 1701, of 1525 with 1918. Starting from the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871, they added to their titles that of German Empereur which they preserved until in 1918, date on which Guillaume II was constrained with abdication, consequence of the German defeat during the First World War.

This family is originating in the south-west of Germany and its name derives from Zollern , name of the strong castle of the 13th century that it had close to Stuttgart. Later, Hohenzollern were with the head of Nuremberg and other territories in Souabe and Franconie. However they took a real importance only when they became Électeurs Saint Germanic Roman Empire in 1415 by the acquisition of Brandebourg by the Voter Frederic Ier. It is this province which was going to constitute their principal field during the five following centuries.

Frederic IV of Hohenzollern, count de Zollern after Frederic III, is at the origin of several sovereign branches. They reigned on small principalities in Souabe. One of these lines, that of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, remains today. In the middle of the XIXe century, its chief voluntarily yielded his sovereignty on Sigmaringen to Prussia. But one of its sons, Charles, was elected in 1866 prince de Roumanie then proclaimed king in 1881. The current royal family of Romania, which reigned until 1947, is thus a branch of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.

Sovereigns of Brandebourg then of Prussia

See the List of the sovereigns of Brandebourg then of Prussia, all resulting from the house of Hohenzollern, which includes:
  • last the margrave de Brandebourg (1415-1417)
  • prince-voters of Brandebourg (1417-1806)
  • also carrying the title of duke in Prussia (1618-1688)
  • then kings in Prussia (1688-1772)
  • then kings of Prussia (1772-1918) and German Emperors (1871-1918)

Heads of the household of Prussia after 1918

Prince (1866 - 1881) then kings (1881 - 1947) of Romania

Another branch of Hohenzollern, that of the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, was also with the head of important fields in Germany of before the Empire. It provides to princes (of 1866 with 1881) then kings (of 1881 with 1947) of Romania. The opposition of the France to their candidature for the throne of Spain was one of the causes of the Guerre free-Prussian of 1870 - 1871, and thus of the proclamation of the German Empire in January 1871.

  • Charles Ier (prince: 1866-1881 then king: 1881-1914)

  • Ferdinand Ier (1914-1927)
  • Michel Ier (1927-1930 then 1940-1947)
  • Charles II (1930-1940)

The castle of Hohenzollern

to see the article entitled: Castle of Hohenzollern.

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