Wolfgang, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Encyclopedia
Duke Wolfgang of Brunswick-Grubenhagen (1531–1595) was the Prince of Grubenhagen from 1567 to 1595.
Wolfgang was born on 6 April 1531 in Herzberg
, the fifth son of Duke Philip I
of Brunswick-Grubenhagen and his second wife, Catherine of Mansfeld
. He succeeded his brother, Ernest
as Duke in 1567, governing the tiny Principality of Grubenhagen. Like most of his predecessors, he had financial problems, so he was often forced to sell or pledge major parts of his possession and he had to demand high taxes.
In 1581 he gave the citizens of Herzberg the right to provide for their own fuel and timber as well as leaves for fertilizing their fields. He attempted to improve the educational level in his country by establishing a the court school in Herzberg. In 1593 he dissolved the county of Lauterberg-Scharzfeld as a fief, to counter the demands of the Counts of Stolberg. In the same year, he confirmed the Harz mining regulations of 1554 and gave Herzberg citizens the right to brew beer and a licence to trade wine.
He created a pleasure garden for his wife Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg
(born 11 March 1543; died 5 April 1586) below Herzberg Castle
.
Wolfgang died on 14 May 1595 died in Herzberg) and was buried next to his parents, brothers and wife in the crypt of the St. Giles Church in Osterode am Harz
.
He had no children. His younger brother Philip II
inherited the principality. On Philip II's death, the Grubenhagen line of the House of Welf died out.
Wolfgang was born on 6 April 1531 in Herzberg
Herzberg
Herzberg is German for "heart mountain" and may refer to:*places in Germany:**Herzberg am Harz, a town in the Osterode district, Lower Saxony**Herzberg, Brandenburg, a town in the Elbe-Elster district, Brandenburg...
, the fifth son of Duke Philip I
Philip I, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Philip I, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen was a member of the House of Guelph. He was ruler of the Principality of Grubenhagen. He was the second son of Duke Albert II of Grubenhagen and his wife Elizabeth, née Countess of Waldeck. Philip was the last member of the Grubenhagen line to use the...
of Brunswick-Grubenhagen and his second wife, Catherine of Mansfeld
Mansfeld
Mansfeld is a town in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the river Wipper, 10 km northwest of Eisleben....
. He succeeded his brother, Ernest
Ernest III, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Ernest III of Brunswick-Grubenhagen-Herzberg , was a member of the noble family of Guelph and a duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen....
as Duke in 1567, governing the tiny Principality of Grubenhagen. Like most of his predecessors, he had financial problems, so he was often forced to sell or pledge major parts of his possession and he had to demand high taxes.
In 1581 he gave the citizens of Herzberg the right to provide for their own fuel and timber as well as leaves for fertilizing their fields. He attempted to improve the educational level in his country by establishing a the court school in Herzberg. In 1593 he dissolved the county of Lauterberg-Scharzfeld as a fief, to counter the demands of the Counts of Stolberg. In the same year, he confirmed the Harz mining regulations of 1554 and gave Herzberg citizens the right to brew beer and a licence to trade wine.
He created a pleasure garden for his wife Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg
Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg
Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg , consort of Christian III from 1525 and Queen consort of Denmark and Norway. She was daughter of Duke Magnus I of Saxe-Lauenburg and Catherine, daughter of Henry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
(born 11 March 1543; died 5 April 1586) below Herzberg Castle
Herzberg Castle
Herzberg Castle is a German Schloss in Herzberg am Harz in the district of Osterode am Harz in the state of Lower Saxony. The present-day four-winged building has its origins in the 11th century as a medieval Burg. After a fire in 1510 it was rebuilt as a Schloss and is one of the few in Lower...
.
Wolfgang died on 14 May 1595 died in Herzberg) and was buried next to his parents, brothers and wife in the crypt of the St. Giles Church in Osterode am Harz
Osterode am Harz
For the town in East Prussia formerly called Osterode, see Ostróda.Osterode am Harz often simply called Osterode, is a town in south-eastern Niedersachsen on the south-western edge of the Harz mountains. It is the seat of government of the district of Osterode. The town is twinned with Scarborough,...
.
He had no children. His younger brother Philip II
Philip II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Duke Philip II of Brunswick-Grubenhagen was from 1595 to 1596 Prince of Grubenhagen. When he died in 1596, the Grubenhagen line of the House of Guelph died out....
inherited the principality. On Philip II's death, the Grubenhagen line of the House of Welf died out.