Reuss

REUSS

REUSS-GERA

Area: 149 sq. mi.

REUSS-GREIZ

Area: 149 sq. mi.

REUSS-LOBESTEIN-EBERSDORF

Area: 160 sq. mi.

REUSS-SCHLEIZ

Area: 447 sq. mi.

Reuss is the name of several historical states in today's Thuringia, Germany. Its rulers, the Reuss family, named every male born within it "Heinrich" for centuries.

The Elder Line, the Grafen Reuss zu Greiz, Untergreiz, und Obergreiz, were elevated to princely status in 1778. Its members bore the title Prince Reuss, ältere Linie, or Prince Reuss zu Greiz. The members of this line were numbered sequentially, the last series beginning with Heinrich I (born 1693) and ending with Heinrich XXIV (1878-1927). Reuss Elder Line had an area of 317 km² and a population of 71,000 (1905). Its capital was Greiz.

The Younger Line, the Grafen Reuss zu Gera, zu Schleiz, zu Lobenstein, zu Köstriz und zu Ebersdorf, shared a numbering sequence which began and ended roughly as centuries began and ended. A consequence of this naming system is that the male children within a single nuclear family are not numbered sequentially: The sons of Heinrich LXVII Reuss zu Schleiz were, in order, Heinrich V , Heinrich VIII , Heinrich XI , Heinrich XIV , and Heinrich XVI . This line became princes in 1806, and its members bore the title Prince Reuss, jüngere Linie, though they are also referred to by their branch names (e.g. Prince Reuss zu Koestritz). The designation jüngere Linie was dropped in 1930; the ältere Linie had become extinct as its last member Heinrich XXIV renounced his rights in 1918 and died in 1927 unmarried. Reuss Younger Line had an area of 827 km² and a population of 145,000 (1905). Its capital was Gera.

The two principalities of Reuss "Elder Line" and "Younger Line" were members of the German Confederation, of the North German Confederation, and of the German Empire. In 1919, they were unified as the Republic of Reuss, which was incorporated into the new state of Thuringia in 1920.

"THE PRINCIPALITY OF REUSS OF THE ELDER LINE.

"The principality of Reuss has its name from its rulers, the princes Reuss of Plauen, in whose family the singular custom prevails that all male individuals are called Henry; a number is added to their name to distinguish them from one another. The principality consists of two large districts: the northern, or the principality of Gera, is bounded on the N. by the Prussian dominions ; on the E. and W. by Gotha; and on the S. by Weimar. The southern is bounded on the N. by the Prussian dominions, and by Weimar; on the E. by the kingdom of Saxony; on the S. by Bavaria; and on the W. by Coburg-Saalfeld, and by Schwarzburg. The superficial extent of the whole principality is nearly 620 square miles, with a population now amounting to 79,000. The reigning house is divided into four lines: viz. that of Greiz, Schleiz, Ebersdorf, and Lobenstein; of whom Greiz forms the elder, and the three others the younger line. The prince of Reuss-Greiz possesses a mountainous and woody territory of about 150 square miles, with a population, as given in the act of confederacy, of 22,255 inhabitants, chiefly Lutherans, and a revenue of about 130,000 florins. The contingent is fixed at 222 men. Greiz is the capital, with 6,195 inhabitants. The Burgkhammer is one of the finest iron smelting works in Germany.

"THE PRINCIPALITY OF REUSS OF THE YOUNGER LINE.

"The younger line of the princes Reuss of Plauen is divided into two branches, which form one State of the confederacy, namely, that of Schleiz and that of Lobenstein ; which latter is again divided into two branches, viz. Lobenstein and Ebersdorf. The surface of their united possessions is about 450 square miles. There are extensive woods, and good mines of iron, and the rearing of cattle is carried on to a considerable extent. Manufactures are likewise conducted in a very animated manner. The population, as given in the act of confederacy, was 52,205, all of whom were Lutherans, except one community of Moravians. The revenue is about 350,000 florins. The contingent is fixed at 522 men. Schleiz, capital of Reuss Schleiz, and residence of the prince of Reuss Schleiz, is elevated about 1,521 feet above the sea, and contains a population of 4,620 inhabitants. Lobenstein, with 2,716 inhabitants, is the residence of the prince of that name. Gera, on the Elster, with 7,373 inhabitants, is a very industrious town." (Bell, p. 415)

Fürsten Reuss, Elder Line, 1778-1918

Heinrich XI 1778-1800 

Heinrich XIII 1800-1817 

Heinrich XIX 1817-1836 

Heinrich XX 1836-1859 

Heinrich XXII 1859-1902 

Heinrich XXIV 1902-1918 (d.1927)

Fürsten Reuss, Younger Line, 1806-1918

Heinrich XLII 1806-1818 

Heinrich LXII 1818-1854 

Heinrich LXVII 1854-1867 

Heinrich XIV 1867-1913 

Heinrich XXVII 1913-1918 (d.1928)