Margraviate of Brandenburg

Also known as the House of Brandenburg

Holy Roman Empire principality (1157–1806)

AI overview

The Margraviate of Brandenburg was a territory within the Holy Roman Empire that existed from 1157 to 1806 as an independent principality. It matters historically because it eventually grew into the Kingdom of Prussia, which became one of Europe's most powerful states.

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Key facts

Status: State of the Holy Roman Empire , Imperial elector (1356–1806), Crown land of the Bohemian Crown (1373–1415)
Capital: Brandenburg an der Havel (1157–1417), Berlin (1417–1806)
Common languages: Low German Lüneburg Wendish
Religion: Dominant confession among the population was Roman Catholic until the 1530s, then Lutheran ., Elector was Roman Catholic until 1539, then Lutheran until 1613, and then Reformed .
Government: Monarchy
1157 1170: Albert the Bear (first) 1417
1797 1806: Frederick William III (last)
Established: 3 October 1157
Raised to electorate: 25 December 1356
Brandenburg prussia: 27 August 1618
Kingdom of prussia: 18 January 1701

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Article

Today part ofGermany Poland

The Margraviate of Brandenburg (German: Markgrafschaft Brandenburg) was a major principality of the Holy Roman Empire from 1157 to 1806. Though initially an underdeveloped and economically modest territory, Brandenburg held electoral status within the Empire. It grew rapidly in importance after inheriting the Duchy of Prussia in 1618 and then came to play a pivotal role in the history of Germany and that of Central Europe as the core of the Prussian kingdom.