Otto II, Duke of Brunswick-Harburg
Encyclopedia
Otto II of Brunswick-Harburg, nicknamed the Younger, or the Famous (born: 25 September 1528 in Celle
; died: 26 October 1603 in Harburg
) was from 1549 until his death of Duke of Brunswick-Harburg
.
(1495–1549) from his marriage to Metta von Campen (d. 1580). Otto received a princely education.
The House of Brunswick-Lüneburg
did not recognize Otto's right to inherit his father's lordship on the grounds that the marriage between his parents had been morganatic. Supported by Emperor Ferdinand I
, Otto repeatedly renewed his demands and in 1560, he was finally confirmed as his father's successor as ruler of the Lordship of Harburg. His territory was even extended with neighbouring Moisburg
.
Otto continued his father's construction project at Harburg Castle and transformed it into a princely residence. He moved in permanently in 1551. In 1560, he began developing the castle chapel. To finance his activities, he raised taxes and levied special taxes, which led to dissatisfaction. From 1561 to 1577, the population of his territory shrank, due to the plague. Otto did not allow Jews and Christians of other denominations to settle in his country.
He built a salt magazine, in order to promote the salt trade with Lüneburg. This, however, did not enjoy the success he had expected.
Afterwards, Otto married on 8 October 1562 with his second wife, Hedwig (1535–1616), daughter of Count Enno II of East Frisia
, with whom he had the following children:
Celle
Celle is a town and capital of the district of Celle, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town is situated on the banks of the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser and has a population of about 71,000...
; died: 26 October 1603 in Harburg
Harburg (quarter)
General-External links:...
) was from 1549 until his death of Duke of Brunswick-Harburg
Harburg
Harburg is a district in Lower Saxony, Germany. It takes its name from the town of Harburg upon Elbe, which used to be the capital of the district but is now part of Hamburg...
.
Life
Otto was the eldest son of the Duke Otto I of Brunswick-HarburgOtto I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Harburg
Otto, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the Prince of Lüneburg from 1520 to 1527 and Baron of Harburg from 1527 to 1549.- Life :Otto was born on 24 August 1495 as the eldest son of Henry the Middle and his wife, Margarete of Saxony...
(1495–1549) from his marriage to Metta von Campen (d. 1580). Otto received a princely education.
The House of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Brunswick-Lüneburg
The Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , or more properly Duchy of Brunswick and Lüneburg, was an historical ducal state from the late Middle Ages until the late Early Modern era within the North-Western domains of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, in what is now northern Germany...
did not recognize Otto's right to inherit his father's lordship on the grounds that the marriage between his parents had been morganatic. Supported by Emperor Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand I was Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and king of Bohemia and Hungary from 1526 until his death. Before his accession, he ruled the Austrian hereditary lands of the Habsburgs in the name of his elder brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.The key events during his reign were the contest...
, Otto repeatedly renewed his demands and in 1560, he was finally confirmed as his father's successor as ruler of the Lordship of Harburg. His territory was even extended with neighbouring Moisburg
Moisburg
Moisburg is a municipality in the district of Harburg, in Lower Saxony, Germany....
.
Otto continued his father's construction project at Harburg Castle and transformed it into a princely residence. He moved in permanently in 1551. In 1560, he began developing the castle chapel. To finance his activities, he raised taxes and levied special taxes, which led to dissatisfaction. From 1561 to 1577, the population of his territory shrank, due to the plague. Otto did not allow Jews and Christians of other denominations to settle in his country.
He built a salt magazine, in order to promote the salt trade with Lüneburg. This, however, did not enjoy the success he had expected.
Marriages and issue
On 8 September 1551, Otto married his first wife, Margaret (1530–1559), daughter of Count John Henry of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg. She died in childbirth on 16 March 1559. They had the following children:- Elisabeth (1553–1618)
- married in 1582 Count Erik Brahe of Visingsborg (1552-1614)
- Otto HenryDuke Otto Henry of Brunswick-HarburgDuke Otto Henry of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Harburg , was a member of House of Guelph and the heir apparent of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Harburg.- Life :...
(1555–1591)
- Otto Henry
- married in 1588 Marie d'Henin-Lietard (d. 1606)
- John Frederick (born: 23 February 1557; died: 21 February 1619), waived his right to rule Harburg
- Unnamed daughter (born: 18 March 1559; died shortly after birth)
Afterwards, Otto married on 8 October 1562 with his second wife, Hedwig (1535–1616), daughter of Count Enno II of East Frisia
Enno II, Count of East Frisia
Enno II of East Frisia was the son of Edzard I of East Frisia. In 1528 he became count of East Frisia. For most of his life he ruled together with Johan I of East Frisia, who remained catholic, while Enno was lutheran....
, with whom he had the following children:
- William Augustus (1564–1642), Duke of Brunswick-Harburg
- Enno (1565–1600)
- Anna Margaret (1567–1643), Provost of the QuedlinburgQuedlinburgQuedlinburg is a town located north of the Harz mountains, in the district of Harz in the west of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. In 1994 the medieval court and the old town was set on the UNESCO world heritage list....
Abbey - Henry (1568–1569)
- Hedwig (1569–1620)
- Christopher (1570–1606), Duke of Brunswick-Harburg
- married in 1604 princess Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1567 - 1618)
- Otto III (1572–1641), Duke of Brunswick-Harburg
- married in 1621 Princess Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1580-1657).
- Johann (1573–1625)
- Elisabeth (1574–1575)
- Catherine Sophia (1577–1665)
- married Count Jobst Herman of Schaumburg (1575-1634)
- Frederick (1578–1605), killed in battle
- Augustus Frederick (1580-1580)