List of rulers of Hesse

Monarchy of Hesse
Provincial/State
Royal Coat of arms
Ernest Louis
Details
Style	His Royal Highness
First monarch	Henry I (as Landgrave)
Last monarch	Ernest Louis (as Grand Duke)
Formation	1264
Abolition	9 November 1918
Appointer	Hereditary
Pretender(s)	Donatus (as Landgrave)

Royal Standard of the Grand Duke of Hesse 1903–1918

This is a list of rulers of Hesse (German: Hessen) during the history of Hesse on west-central Germany. These rulers belonged to a dynasty collectively known as the House of Hesse and the House of Brabant,^[1] originally the Reginar. Hesse was ruled as a Landgraviate, Electorate and later as a Grand duchy until 1918.

The title of all of the following rulers was "Landgrave" (German: Landgraf) unless otherwise noted.

Landgraviate of Hesse

Hesse, 1264–1458

• Henry I the Child, 1264–1308
• Otto the Elder, son of Henry I, 1308–1328 in Upper Hesse (Marburg), reunited Hesse in 1311
• John, son of Henry I, 1308–1311 in Lower Hesse (Kassel)
• Henry II the Iron, son of Otto I, 1328–1376
  • Louis the Junker, son of Otto I, 1336–1345 residing in Grebenstein
  • Herman I the Elder, son of Otto I, 1336–1370 residing in Nordeck
  • Otto the Younger, son of Henry II the Iron, co-regent 1340–1366
• Hermann II the Learned, son of Louis the Junker, 1376–1413, co-regent since 1367
• Louis I the Peaceful 1413–1458

Lower Hesse (Kassel), 1458–1500

• Louis II the Frank, eldest son of Louis the Peaceful, 1458–1471
• William I the Elder, son of Louis II, 1471–1493
• William II the Middle, son of Louis II, 1493–1509, reunited Hesse in 1500

Upper Hesse (Marburg), 1458–1500

• Henry III the Rich, younger son of Louis the Peaceful, 1458–1483
  • Louis III the Younger (died 1478)
• William III the Younger, 1483–1500

1500 reunited with Lower Hesse under William II

Hesse, 1500–1567

• Philip I the Magnanimous, son of William II, 1509–1567. Eldest son William IV the Wise, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel; second son Louis IV Landgrave of Hesse-Marburg; third son Philip the Younger Landgrave of Hesse-Rheinfels; fourth son George I Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Hesse-Kassel, 1567–1803

Image	Name	Start term	End term	Note
	William IV Wilhelm IV	31 March 1567	25 August 1592	eldest son of Philip the Magnanimous. Called "the Wise."
	Maurice Moritz	25 August 1592	17 March 1627
	William V Wilhelm V	17 March 1627	21 September 1637
	William VI Wilhelm VI	21 September 1637	16 July 1663
	William VII Wilhelm VII	16 July 1663	21 November 1670
	Charles Karl	21 November 1670	23 March 1730
	Frederick I Friedrich I	23 March 1730	25 March 1751	also King of Sweden from 1720. Hesse-Kassel under the regency of his brother, William, later Landgrave William VIII.
	William VIII Wilhelm VIII	25 March 1751	1 February 1760	brother of Frederick I; already regent from 1730
	Frederick II Friedrich II	1 February 1760	31 October 1785
	William IX Wilhelm IX	31 October 1785	15 May 1803	created Prince-elector of Hesse as His Royal and Serene Highness William I in 1803.

Hesse-Rotenburg, 1627–1834

• Moritz, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel 1592–1627 (1572–1632)
  • Hermann, Landgrave 1627–58 (1607–1658), third son
  • Ernst, Landgrave of Hesse-Rheinfels 1627–1658, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg 1658–93 (1623–1693), fifth son
    • Wilhelm, Landgrave 1693–1725 (1648–1725)
      • Ernst Leopold, Landgrave 1725–49 (1684–1749)
        • Konstantin, Landgrave 1749–78 (1716–1778), inherited Wanfried-Rheinfels in 1755
          • Emanuel, Landgrave 1778–1806 (1746–1812)
            • Viktor Amadeus, Landgrave 1813–34, Prince of Corvey 1815–34, Duke of Ratibor 1821–34 (1779–1834), see notes below

1806 annexed by the Kingdom of Westphalia, 1813 restored under the supremacy of the Elector of Hesse

1834 extinct, reunited with Hesse-Kassel

Hesse-Eschwege, 1632–1655

• Frederick, Landgrave 1632–55 (1617–1655), eighth son of Moritz, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

1655 extinct, fell to Hesse-Rotenburg

Hesse-Wanfried, c. 1700 – 1755

• Karl, Landgrave 1700–11 (1649–1711), second son of Ernst, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg
  • Wilhelm II, Landgrave 1711–31 (1671–1731)
  • Christian, Landgrave 1731–55 (1689–1755)^[2]

1755 united with Hesse-Rotenburg

Hesse-Rheinfels, 1627–1658

• Ernst, Landgrave 1627–58 (1623–1693), fifth son of Moritz, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

1658 Ernst inherited Hesse-Rotenburg as well, see above

Hesse-Philippsthal, 1663–1866 (end of sovereignty)

• Philipp, Landgrave 1663–1721 (1655–1721), third son of Wilhelm VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel
  • Karl I, Landgrave 1721–70 (1682–1770)
    • Wilhelm, Landgrave 1770–1806 (1726–1810), see note below for 1806
      • Ludwig, Landgrave 1813–16 (1766–1816), see note below for 1813
      • Ernst Konstantin, Landgrave 1816–49 (1771–1849)
        • Charles II, Landgrave, sovereign 1849–66 (1803–1868)

1806 annexed by the Kingdom of Westphalia, 1813 restored under the supremacy of the Elector of Hesse

1866 annexed by Prussia

Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, 1721–1866 (end of sovereignty)

• Wilhelm, Landgrave 1721–61 (1692–1761), third son of Philipp, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal
  • Friedrich, Landgrave 1761–77 (1727–1777)
    • Adolf, Landgrave 1777–1803 (1743–1803)
      • Karl, Landgrave 1803–06, 1813–54 (1784–1854)
        • Alexis, Landgrave, sovereign 1854–66 (1829–1905)

1806 annexed by the Kingdom of Westphalia, 1813 restored under the supremacy of the Elector of Hesse

1866 annexed by Prussia

Hesse-Marburg, 1567–1604

Image	Name	Start term	End term	Note
	Louis IV Ludwig IV	31 March 1567	9 October 1604	second son of Philip the Magnanimous.

1604 extinct and disputed between Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt, 1648 divided between the two lines

Hesse-Rheinfels, 1567–1583

Image	Name	Start term	End term	Note
	Philip II	31 March 1567	20 November 1583	third son of Philip the Magnanimous. Called "the Younger."

1583 extinct and divided between Hesse-Kassel, Hesse-Marburg and Hesse-Darmstadt

Hesse-Darmstadt, 1567–1806

Image	Name	Start term	End term	Note
	George I Georg I	31 March 1567	7 February 1596	fourth son of Philip the Magnanimous
	Louis V Ludwig V	7 February 1596	27 June 1626	son of George I.
	George II Georg II	27 June 1626	11 June 1661	son of Louis V.
	Louis VI Ludwig VI	11 June 1661	24 April 1678	son of George II
	Louis VII Ludwig VII	24 April 1678	31 August 1678	first son of Louis VI
	Ernest Louis Ernst Ludwig	31 August 1678	12 September 1739	second son of Louis VI
	Louis VIII Ludwig VIII	12 September 1739	17 October 1768	son of Ernest Louis
	Louis IX Ludwig IX	17 October 1768	6 April 1790	son of Louis VIII
	Louis X Ludwig X	6 April 1790	13 August 1806	son of Louis IX. Became Grand Duke of Hesse 1806.

Hesse-Butzbach, 1609–1643

Philip III, Landgrave 1609–43 (1581–1643), second son of George I of Hesse-Darmstadt

1643 line extinct, returned to Hesse-Darmstadt

Hesse-Homburg, 1622–1866

• Friedrich I, Landgrave 1622–38 (1585–1638), third son of George I of Hesse-Darmstadt
  • Wilhelm Christof, Landgrave 1638–69 (1625–1681), sold Homburg to George Christian in 1669, but kept Bingenheim (Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg-Bingenheim)
  • Georg Christian, Landgrave 1669–77 (1626–1677), see notes below regarding mortgage
  • Friedrich II, Landgrave 1679–1708 (1633–1708), Commander general of the army of Brandenburg (The Prince of Homburg)
    • Friedrich III Jacob, Landgrave 1708–46 (1673–1746), Cavalry general in the Netherlands
    • Prince Kasimir Wilhelm of Hesse-Homburg (1690–1726)
      • Friedrich IV Karl, Landgrave 1746–51 (1724–1751)
        • Friedrich V, Landgrave 1751–1806, 1815–20 (1748–1820), see 1806/1815 notes below
          • Frederick VI, Landgrave 1820–29 (1769–1829), Cavalry general in Austria
          • Ludwig Wilhelm, Landgrave 1829–39 (1770–1839), Infantry general in Prussia
          • Philipp, Landgrave 1839–46 (1779–1846), Field marshal in Austria
          • Gustav, Landgrave 1846–48 (1781–1848), Cavalry general in Austria
          • Ferdinand, Landgrave 1848–66 (1783–1866), Cavalry general in Austria

under mortgage to two merchants (1671–1673) and the Landgraves of Hesse-Darmstadt (1673–1679), redeemed by Friedrich II

1806 Annexed by Hesse-Darmstadt, 1815 restored by the Congress of Vienna

1866 line extinct, returned to Hesse-Darmstadt

Hesse-Braubach, 1626–1651

Johann, Landgrave 1626–51 (1609–1651), second son of Ludwig V of Hesse-Darmstadt

1651 line extinct, returned to Hesse-Darmstadt

Hesse-Itter, 1661–1676

Georg III, Landgrave 1661–76 (1632–1676), second son of Georg II of Hesse-Darmstadt

1676 line extinct, returned to Hesse-Darmstadt

Electors of Hesse (-Kassel), 1803–1866

Image	Name	Start term	End term	Note
	William I Wilhelm I	15 May 1803	28 August 1807	previously Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel as William IX; deposed
to the Kingdom of Westphalia, 1807–1813
	William I Wilhelm I	30 October 1813	27 February 1821	restored
	William II Wilhelm II	27 February 1821	20 November 1847	His son Frederick William acted as regent from 30 September 1831
	Frederick William Friedrich Wilhelm	20 November 1847	20 September 1866	regent for his father from 30 September 1831. The electorate was annexed by Prussia in 1866

1866 annexed by Prussia

Grand Dukes of Hesse (-Darmstadt) and by Rhine, 1806–1918

Image	Name	Start term	End term	Note
	Louis I Ludwig I	13 August 1806	6 April 1830	previously Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt as Louis X from 1790
	Louis II Ludwig II	6 April 1830	16 June 1848
	Louis III Ludwig III	16 June 1848	13 June 1877
	Louis IV Ludwig IV	13 June 1877	13 March 1892
	Ernest Louis Ernst Ludwig	13 March 1892	9 November 1918

Heads of the non-reigning House of Hesse

Hesse-Kassel since 1866

Friedrich Wilhelm I, the former Elector, titular Landgrave 1866–75 (1802–1875)

succeeded by his second cousin Friedrich Wilhelm II as below:

• Friedrich II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (1720–1785)
  • Friedrich III, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel-Rumpenheim (1747–1837)
    • Wilhelm I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel-Rumpenheim (1787–1867)
      • Friedrich Wilhelm II, titular Landgrave 1875–84 (1820–1884)
        • Friedrich Wilhelm III, titular Landgrave 1884–88 (1854–1888)
        • Alexander Friedrich, titular Landgrave 1888–1925, abdicated (1863–1945)
        • Friedrich Karl, titular Landgrave 1925–40, elected King of Finland as Fredrik Kaarle I in 1918 but renounced the throne (1868–1940)
          • Philipp, titular Landgrave 1940–80, head of entire House 1968 on extinction of Hesse-Darmstadt line (1896–1980)
            • Moritz, titular Landgrave and Head of House 1980–2013 (1926–2013)
              • Heinrich Donatus titular Landgrave and Head of House 2013–present (born 1966)
                • Moritz, Hereditary Prince of Hesse (born 2007)
                • Prince August of Hesse (born 2012)
              • Prince Philipp Robin of Hesse (born 1970)
                • Prince Tito of Hesse (born 2008)
          • Prince Christoph of Hesse (1901–1943)
            • Prince Karl Adolf Andreas of Hesse (born 1937)
              • Prince Christoph of Hesse (born 1969)
            • Prince Rainer Christoph Friedrich of Hesse (born 1939)

Hesse-Philippsthal 1866–1925

• Charles II, formerly sovereign, titular Landgrave 1866–68 (1803–1868)
  • Ernst Eugen, titular Landgrave 1868–1925 (1846–1925)

1925 the Line of Hesse-Philippsthal became extinct, passed to Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld

Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld since 1866, Hesse-Philippsthal since the extinction of the main line 1925

• Charles, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (1784–1854)
  • Alexis, formerly sovereign, titular Landgrave 1866–1905 (1829–1905)
  • Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (1831–1890)
    • Chlodwig, titular Landgrave 1905–54, inherited Hesse-Philippsthal as well in 1925 (1876–1954)
      • Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (1905–1942)
        • Wilhelm, titular Landgrave 1954-present (born 1933)
          • Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (born 1963)
            • Prince Wilhelm Ernst of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (born 2005)
            • Prince Philipp August of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (born 2006)
          • Prince Otto of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (born 1965)
            • Prince Max of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (born 1999)
            • Prince Moritz of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (born 2007)
        • Prince Hermann of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (born 1935)
          • Prince Alexis of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (born 1977)

Hesse-Darmstadt 1918–1968

• Ernst Ludwig, formerly sovereign, titular Grand Duke 1918–37 (1868–1937)
  • George Donatus, titular Grand Duke Oct 9–Nov 16 1937
  • Ludwig (V), titular Grand Duke 1937–1968

In 1968 the Line of Hesse-Darmstadt became Hesse-Nassau and Hesse-Kassel (1969–present)

See also

• House of Hesse
• Line of succession to the former Hessian throne
• History of Hesse
• Coat of arms of Hesse

References

1. Burke's Royal Families of the World Volume I Europe & Latin America ISBN 0-85011-023-8, London 1977 p. 202
2. Christian died childless and the lands passed to his first cousin once removed Constantine (died 1778)

External links

• The History Files: Rulers of Hesse
• Marek, Miroslav. "Genealogy of the Hessian noble family". Genealogy.EU. External link in |publisher= (help)