House of Hanover
The House of Hanover (German: Haus Hannover) is a European royal house with roots tracing back to the 17th century. Its members, known as Hanoverians, ruled Hanover, Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Empire at various times during the 17th to 20th centuries. Originating as a cadet branch of the House of Welf in 1635, also known then as the House of Brunswick-Lüneburg, the Hanoverians ascended to prominence with Hanover's elevation to an Electorate in 1692. In 1714 George I, prince-elector of Hanover and a descendant of King James VI and I, assumed the throne of Great Britain and Ireland, marking the beginning of Hanoverian rule over the British Empire. At the end of his line, Queen Victoria's death in 1901, the throne of the United Kingdom passed to her eldest son Edward VII, a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, through his father Albert, Prince Consort. The last reigning members of the House of Hanover lost the Duchy of Brunswick in 1918 when Germany became a republic.
"Hanoverians" redirects here. For the college whose alumni are known as such, see Hanover College. For other uses, see Hanover House.House of Hanover
Bonifaci → Obertenghi → Este → Welf
1634
- King and Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Empress of India
- King of Great Britain
- King of Ireland
- King of France (claimed)
- King of Hanover
- Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg
- Arch-Treasurer of the Holy Roman Empire
- Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
- Duke of Brunswick
- Duchess of Modena
- Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg
- Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
- Holy Roman Empress
- Princess of Orange
- Lord of Mann
- Hanover: 1866 – George V of Hanover lost the territory to Prussia in the Austro-Prussian War
- Brunswick: 1918 – Ernest Augustus of Brunswick forced to abdicate after German defeat in World War I
The formal name of the house was the House of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Hanover line.[1] The senior line of Brunswick-Lüneburg, which ruled Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, became extinct in 1884. The House of Hanover is now the only surviving branch of the House of Welf, which is the senior branch of the House of Este. The current head of the House of Hanover is Ernst August, Prince of Hanover.
History[edit]
Dukes and Electors of Brunswick-Lüneburg[edit]
George, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the first member of the House of Hanover.[2] When the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg was divided in 1635, George inherited the Principality of Calenberg and moved his residence to Hanover. His son, Christian Louis, inherited the Principality of Lüneburg from George's brother. Calenberg and Lüneburg were then shared between George's sons until united in 1705 under his grandson, also called George, who subsequently became George I of Great Britain. All members held the title of Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
Many towns and provinces across the British Empire were named after the ruling House of Hanover and its members. They include the U.S. state of Georgia, U.S. towns Hanover, Massachusetts; Hanover, New Hampshire; Hanover, Pennsylvania; Hanover Township, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, counties Hanover County, Virginia; Caroline County, Virginia; Brunswick County, Virginia; New Hanover County, North Carolina; Brunswick County, North Carolina; King George County, Virginia, places named Georgia in New Jersey (e.g. New Brunswick, NJ), Vermont, Arkansas and South Dakota, seven towns in the U.S. and Canada named after Queen Charlotte. Furthermore the Canadian province of New Brunswick and towns Hanover, Ontario, Guelph; Ontario, and Victoria, British Columbia; in South Africa the town Hanover, Northern Cape, in Australia the state Victoria and the city Adelaide, in the UK six and in the US thirteen towns named Brunswick. Furthermore one each in Australia and New Zealand, and worldwide more than fifty towns named Victoria. There are also numerous streets and squares, such as Hanover Square, Westminster, Hanover Square (Manhattan), Hanover Square, Syracuse or Queen Street, Brisbane with its intersections named after members of the House.
Georgian architecture gives distinction to the architectural styles current between 1714 and 1830 in most English-speaking countries.