|
Other German Files:
|
AUSTRIA
See entry in Central Europe file.
BADEN
The
east bank of the Rhine, from the Palatinate to Switzerland. The Lords of
Baden benefited from the break-up of Swabia, and, raised to the dignity
of Margrave in 1112, were able to take their place as one of the four most
important dynasts in southern Germany (along with Habsburg, Wittelsbach,
and Wurttemburg). Baden was fragmented from 1190-1503, 1515-1620, and 1622-1771,
though the eras of 1415-1503, 1604-1620, and 1666-1771 saw only two active
branches each. After 1771, the only surviving branch retained full authority
and in return for compliance with Napoleon, was raised to Electoral dignity
in 1803, and then Grand Ducal status in 1806.
BAVARIA
The
upper Danube basin, located in the angle between Austria and the Czech
Republic. A Dark Ages tribal kingdom
conquered by Charlemagne, Bavaria became an extremely important Duchy during
the Middle Ages. Deeply fragmented from 1253, the duchy re-coalesced in
the 15th and early 16th centuries and, with the establishment of Salic
succession laws in 1505, Bavaria once again achieved a stable and significant
position within Germany. The Rhine Palatinate's electoral status was transfered
to Bavaria in 1623, which retained the vote even after re-establishment
of elector privilege to the Palatinate in 1648. Cooperation with Napoleon
gave Bavaria Kingdom status from 1805.
BRANDENBURG-PRUSSIA Central eastern Germany, with Berlin
as the chief city. Margraves of North Mark 936, Margraves of Brandenburg
1136, Electors from 1355, inherited the Duchy of Prussia 1618, Kings of
Prussia 1701, Kings of the German Confederation from 1867 and Emperors
of Germany from 1871.
BRUNSWICK
Northwestern
Germany, encompassing the largest part of the secular territories in that
area. Brunswick lands were originally the family estates of the Welfs,
a dynasty of remote Italian origin (a branch of d'Este) who established
themselves in old Saxony (the northwestern homeland of the Saxon people,
as opposed to the trans-Thuringian Saxony that came into being after the
13th century). Rising swiftly to the peak of influence in the 12th century,
they were pulled down by the Hohenstaufens in the early 13th century. This
conflict repeated itself and extended indefinitely in Italy in what became
a titanic struggle between Imperial (secular and Germanic) vs. Papal (ecclesiatic
and Italianate) parties under the Italian versions of these families names:
Guelf and Ghibelline. Thereafter, the descendents of Henry the Lion and
Otto IV managed their extensive allodial lands and, though partitioned
a great deal, grew in power and influence until old Saxony was theirs once
again. The best-known division of Brunswick was Hannover, a region which
was granted the Electoral vote in 1692 and inherited Great Britain in the
next generation. Hannover was raised to the status of Kingdom in 1814,
but was defeated and annexed to Prussia in 1866.
