List of counts palatine of the Rhine
Introduction This article lists '''counts palatine of Lotharingia''', '''counts palatine of the Rhine''', and '''electors of the Palatinate''' (), the titles of three counts palatine who ruled some part of the Rhine region in the Kingdom of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire between 915 to 1803.From 1261 (formally 1356), the title holder was a member of the small group of prince-electors who elected the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Since then, the title has also referred to as "Elector Palatinate".
Counts palatine of Lotharingia, 915–1085 The Palatinate emerged from the '''County Palatine of Lotharingia''' which came into existence in the 10th century. * Wigeric of Lotharingia, count of the Bidgau ( 915/916–922)* Godfrey, count of the Jülichgau (c. 940)===House of Ezzonen===During the 11th century, the Palatinate was dominated by the Ezzonian dynasty, which governed several counties on both banks of the Rhine. These territories were centered around Cologne-Bonn, but extended south to the rivers Moselle and Nahe. The southernmost point was near Alzey. * Hermann I of Lotharingia 945–996* Ezzo of Lotharingia 996–1034* Otto I of Lotharingia 1034–1045 (Duke of Swabia 1045–1047)* Henry I of Lotharingia 1045–1060/1061* Hermann II of Lotharingia 1061/1064–1085 (in tutelage to Anno II, archbishop of Cologne until 1064)
Counts palatine of the Rhine, 1085–1214 From 1085, after the death of the last Ezzonian count palatine, Herman II of Lotharingia, the Palatinate lost its military importance in Lotharingia. The territorial authority of the count palatine was reduced to his counties along the Rhine, henceforth called the '''County Palatine of the Rhine'''. * Heinrich II of Laach 1085–95* Siegfried of Ballenstedt 1095–1113* Gottfried of Kalw 1113–29* William of Ballenstedt 1129–39* Henry IV Jasomirgott 1139–42* Hermann III of Stahleck 1142–55===Hohenstaufen counts palatine===The first hereditary count palatine of the Rhine was Conrad of Hohenstaufen, who was the younger brother of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The territories attached to this hereditary office began with those held by the Hohenstaufens in Franconia and Rhineland. (Other branches of the Hohenstaufen dynasty received territories including lands in Swabia and Franche-Comté). Part of this land derived from their imperial ancestors, the Salian Emperors, and part from Conrad's maternal ancestors, the Saarbrücken. This explains the composition of the inheritance that comprised the Upper and Rhenish Palatinate in the following centuries. * Conrad of Hohenstaufen 1156–95===Welf counts palatine===In 1195, the Palatinate passed to the House of Welf through the marriage of Agnes, heir to the Staufen count. * Henry V of Welf 1195–1213* Henry VI of Welf 1213–14
The Palatinate under the Wittelsbach: the Electoral dignity (1214–1803) On the marriage of the Welf heiress Agnes in the early 13th century, the territory passed to the Wittelsbach dukes of Bavaria, who were also counts palatine of Bavaria.During a later division of territory among the heirs of Duke Louis II of Upper Bavaria in 1294, the elder branch of the Wittelsbachs came into possession of both the Rhenish Palatinate and the territories in Bavaria north of the Danube river (the ''Nordgau'') centred around the town of Amberg. As this region was politically connected to the Rhenish Palatinate, the name '''Upper Palatinate''' (''Oberpfalz'') became common from the early 16th century, to contrast with the '''Lower Palatinate''' along the Rhine.The Golden Bull of 1356, in circumvention of inner-Wittelsbach contracts and thus bypassing Bavaria, the Palatinate was recognized as one of the secular electorates. The count was given the hereditary offices of archsteward (''Erztruchseß'') of the Empire and Imperial Vicar (''Reichsverweser'') of Franconia, Swabia, the Rhine and southern Germany. From that time forth, the Count Palatine of the Rhine was usually known as the Elector Palatine (''Kurfürst von der Pfalz''). The position of prince-elector had existed earlier (for example, when two rival kings of Germany were elected in 1257: Richard of Cornwall and Alfonso X of Castile), though it is difficult to determine exactly the earliest date of the office.By the early 16th century, owing to the practice of dividing territories among different branches of the family, junior lines of the Palatine Wittelsbachs came to rule in Simmern, Kaiserslautern and Zweibrücken in the Lower Palatinate, and in Neuburg and Sulzbach in the Upper Palatinate. The Elector Palatine, now based in Heidelberg, adopted Lutheranism in the 1530s and Calvinism in the 1550s.===House of Wittelsbach=======Partitions of Palatinate under Wittelsbach rule====+ '''County Palatine of the Rhine'''(1214-1356)'''Electoral Palatinate'''(Main line)(1356-1559)       '''Neumarkt'''(1410-1448)       '''Simmern'''(1st creation)(1410-1598)Simmern-Sponheim (1559-1598)'''Mosbach'''(1410-1490)       '''Zweibrücken'''(Main line)(1459-1661)       '''Neuburg'''(1st creation)(1505-1557)       '''Veldenz'''(1543-1694)       ''Part of '''Zweibrücken''''''''Electoral Palatinate'''('''Simmern Line''', 1st creation)(1559-1623)'''Neuburg'''(2nd creation)(1569-1685)'''Zweibrücken-Vohenstrauss-Parkstein'''(1569-1597)       '''Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld'''(1569-1731)'''Sulzbach'''(1st creation)(1569-1604)''Part of '''Neuburg'''''(1597-1684)              '''Landsberg'''(1604-1661)'''Kleeburg'''(1604-1718)''Part of '''Neuburg'''''       '''Simmern'''(2nd creation)(1610-1674)'''Sulzbach'''(2nd creation)(1614-1742)'''Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld-Bischweiler'''(1615-1671)       ''Part of the Electorate of Bavaria'''''Electoral Palatinate'''('''Simmern Line''', 2nd creation)(1648-1685)       '''Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld-Gelnhausen'''(1654-1799)'''Zweibrücken'''('''Landsberg Line''')(1661-1677)              ''Annexed to the Kingdom of France'''''Electoral Palatinate'''('''Neuburg Line''')(1685-1742)''Part of '''Electoral Palatinate'''''(1685-1694)'''Zweibrücken'''('''Swedish Kleeburg Line''', 1st creation)(1693-1718)      '''Zweibrücken'''('''Kleeburg Line''', 2nd creation)(1718-1731)'''Zweibrücken'''('''Birkenfeld Line''')(1731-1799)'''Electoral Palatinate'''('''Sulzbach Line''')(1742-1799)'''Electoral Palatinate'''('''Zweibrücken Line''')(1799-1803)====Table of rulers==== RulerBornReignDeathRuling partConsortNotesLouis I ''the Kelheimer''80px23 December 11731214–123115 September 1231County Palatine of the RhineLudmilla of Bohemia1204one childSon of Otto I of Wittelsbach, Duke of Bavaria. Louis obtained the Palatinate of the Rhine in 1214.So Louis I served also as Count Palatine of the Rhine. He was assassinated 1231.Otto II ''the Illustrious''80px7 April 12061231–125329 November 1253 County Palatine of the RhineAgnes of the Palatinate1222Wormseleven children Otto II served also as Count Palatine of the Rhine. On Otto II's death, Bavaria was divided between his sons. Louis received the Palatinate.Louis II ''the Strict''80px13 April 12291253–12942 February 1294 County Palatine of the RhineMaria of Brabant2 August 1254''(executed)''no childrenAnna of Głogów1260two childrenMatilda of Austria24 October 1273four childrenDuring a later division of territory among his heirs in 1294, the elder branch of the Wittelsbachs came into possession of both the Rhenish Palatinate and the territories in Bavaria north of the Danube river (the ''Nordgau'') centred around the town of Amberg. As this region was politically connected to the Rhenish Palatinate, the name '''Upper Palatinate''' (''Oberpfalz'') became common from the early 16th century, to contrast with the '''Lower Palatinate''' along the Rhine.Rudolph I ''the Stammerer''80px4 October 12741296–131712 August 1319 County Palatine of the RhineMatilda of Nassau1 September 1294Nurembergsix children Ruled jointly. In 1317 Rudolph abdicated of his rights to his sonIn 1327, Louis IV, Duke of Bavaria occupied Palatinate, but wasn't recognized as Count Palatine, as he was defending the position of his younger nephews against the claimancy of his older nephew, Adolf, Count Palatine of the Rhine. Ten years later gave it to his nephews, sons of Rudolph. With the Treaty of Pavia in 1329, as Emperor, Louis made formal his donation, pushing back the claimant Count Adolf.Rudolph II ''the Blind''80px8 August 13061327–13534 October 1353 County Palatine of the RhineAnna of Carinthia-Tyrol1328one childMargaret of Sicily1348no childrenSon of Rudolph I.The Golden Bull of 1356 confirmed the right to participate in the election of a Holy Roman Emperor to the Count Palatine, title that evolved to ''Elector Palatine''. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his cousin Robert, son of the pushed Count Adolf. '''Robert I ''the Red'''''''(Ruprecht I. der Rote)''80px9 June 13091353–135616 February 1390 County Palatine of the Rhine'''Elisabeth of Namur'''1350 or 1358no children'''Beatrix of Berg'''1385no childrenSon of Rudolph I and brother of Rudolph II. In January 1356 was recognized as the First Elector Palatine.10 January 1356 – 16 February 1390'''Electoral Palatinate''''''Robert II ''the Hard'''''''(Ruprecht II. der Harte)''80px12 May 132516 January 1390 – 6 January 13986 January 1398 '''Electoral Palatinate'''Beatrice of Sicily1345seven childrenSon of the claimant count Adolf. '''Rupert III ''the Righteous'''''''(Ruprecht III. der Gerechte)''80px5 May 13526 January 1398 – 18 May 141018 May 1410 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Elisabeth of Nuremberg''' 27 June 1374 Ambergseven childrenAlso King of Germany (1400–1410). '''Louis III ''the Bearded'''''''(Ludwig III. der Bärtige)''80px23 January 137818 May 1410 – 30 December 143630 December 1436 '''Electoral Palatinate'''Blanche of England6 July 1402Cologneno children '''Matilda of Savoy'''30 November 1417five children Children of Robert III, divided the land. Louis kept the Electorate; Stephen received Simmern, John inherited Neumarkt and Otto received Mosbach. Stephen brought by marriage the County of Veldenz to his possessions, and, after his death, Zweibrücken split off from Simmern.Stephen I80px23 June 13851410–145914 February 1459 Palatinate-SimmernAnna of Veldenz10 June 1410Heidelbergeight children John I80px13831410–144314 March 1443 Palatinate-NeumarktCatherine of Pomerania-Stolp15 August 1407Ribeseven children Otto I80px24 August 13901410–14615 July 1461 Palatinate-MosbachJoanna of Bavaria-LandshutJanuary 1430Burghauseneight children ''Regency of Otto I, Count Palatine of Mosbach (1436-1442)'''''Louis IV ''the Meek'''''''(Ludwig IV. der Sanftmütige)''|1 January 142430 December 1436 – 13 August 144913 August 1449 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Margaret of Savoy'''18 October 1445Heidelbergone childChristopher I80px26 February 14161443–14485/6 January 1448 Palatinate-NeumarktDorothea of Brandenburg12 September 1445Copenhagenno children  Also King of the Kalmar Union (1440–1448), in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Left no descendants. Neumarkt reverted to Palatinate-Mosbach. ''Neumarkt definitely annexed to Palatinate-Mosbach'' '''Frederick I ''the Victorious'''''''(Friedrich I. der Siegreiche)''80px1 August 142513 August 1449 – 12 December 147612 December 1476 '''Electoral Palatinate'''''Clara Tott''1471/2''(morganatic)''two children  Brother of his predecessor. Left no legitimate heirs to the Electorate. He was succeeded by his nephew. Frederick I ''the Pious''|19 November 14171459–148029 November 1480 Palatinate-SimmernMargaret of Guelders6 August 1454Lobithten children Children of Stephen, divided the land. Louis I ''the Black''80px14241459–148919 July 1489 Palatinate-ZweibrückenJohanna de Croÿ20 March 1454Luxembourgtwelve childrenOtto II ''the Mathematician''80px26 June 14351461–14908 April 1499 Palatinate-Mosbach''Unmarried'' Had a strong interest in astronomy and mathematics. Abdicated in 1490 to spend the remainder of his life in scientific pursuits. Mosbach reverted to the Electorate. ''Mosbach definitely annexed to the Electoral Palatinate'' '''Philip I ''the Upright'''''''(Philipp I. der Aufrichtige)''80px14 July 144812 December 1476 – 28 February 150828 February 1508 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Margaret of Bavaria'''1474Ambergfourteen children John I80px15 May 14591480–150927 January 1509 Palatinate-SimmernJoanna of Nassau-Saarbrücken29 September 1481three children  Alexander I ''the Lame''|26 November 14621489–151421 October 1514 Palatinate-ZweibrückenMargaret of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein1499Zweibrückensix children  Sons of Louis the Black, ruled jointly.Kaspar|11 July 14591489–14901527 Palatinate-ZweibrückenAmalie of Brandenburg19 April 1478Zweibrückenno children '''Louis V ''the Pacific'''''''(Ludwig V. der Friedfertige)''80px2 July 147828 February 1508 – 16 March 154416 March 1544 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Sibylle of Bavaria'''23 February 1511Heidelbergno children  Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother. John II80px21 March 14921509–155718 May 1557 Palatinate-SimmernBeatrix of Baden22 May 1508twelve children  He introduced the Reformation into Simmern which led to increased tensions with his neighbours, the Archbishoprics of Trier and Mainz.Louis II ''the Younger''80px14 September 15021514–15323 December 1532 Palatinate-ZweibrückenElisabeth of Hesse10 September 1525Kasseltwo children Robert I80px15061532–154428 July 1544 Palatinate-VeldenzUrsula of Salm-Kyrburg23 June 1537three childrenDivided the land. Robert was a younger brother of Louis II, and Wolfgang was Louis' son. Technically, Robert held both lands during Wolfgang's minority. ''Regency of Robert, Count Palatine of Veldenz (1532-1543)''Wolfgang80px26 September 15261532–156911 June 1569 Palatinate-ZweibrückenAnna of Hesse24 February 1544thirteen children'''Frederick II ''the Wise'''''''(Friedrich II. der Weise)''80px9 December 148216 March 1544 – 26 December 155626 December 1556 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Dorothea of Denmark'''18 May 1535Heidelbergno children Left no descendants. He was succeeded by a cousin. ''Regencies of Ursula of Salm-Kyrburg (1544-1546) and Wolfgang, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken (1544-1560)''George John I ''the Astute''80px11 April 15431560–159218 April 1592 Palatinate-VeldenzAnna of Sweden20 December 1562eleven children  ''Regencies of Philip, Elector Palatine (1505-1508) and Frederick II, Elector Palatine (1508-1516)''Children of Robert of Palatinate, bishop of Freising (and grandsons of Philip I). Their father married the heiress of Bavaria-Landshut, Elisabeth, was adopted by his father-in-law, and eventually became heir of Bavaria-Landshut. This new declaration led to the Landshut War. In the aftermath of the conflict, a part of Landshut joined Palatinate with the name of Palatinate-Neuburg. In 1557 Otto Henry abdicated of Neuburg to become Elector. Neuburg fell to Wolfgang I. Otto Henry left no descendants: the main line became extinct with his death. Simmern line succeeded in the Electorate. '''Otto Henry ''the Magnanimous'''''''(Ottheinrich. der Großmütige)''80px10 April 15021505-155712 February 1559 Palatinate-NeuburgSusanna of Bavaria16 October 1529Neuburg an der Donauno children26 December 1556 – 12 February 1559 '''Electoral Palatinate'''Philip I ''the Warlike''80px12 November 15031505–15414 July 1548 Palatinate-Neuburg''Unmarried''''Neuburg annexed to Zweibrücken'''''Frederick III ''the Pious'''''''(Friedrich III. der Fromme)''80px14 February 15151557–155926 October 1576 Palatinate-Simmern'''Marie of Brandenburg-Kulmbach'''21 October 1537Kreuznacheleven children'''Amalia of Neuenahr'''25 April 1569Heidelbergno children When the senior branch of the family died out in 1559, the electorate passed to Frederick III of Simmern, son of John II and a staunch Calvinist. The Palatinate became one of the major centers of Calvinism in Europe, supporting Calvinist rebellions in both the Netherlands and France.12 February 1559 – 26 October 1576 '''Electoral Palatinate'''George|20 February 15181559–156917 May 1569 Palatinate-SimmernElisabeth of Hesse 9 January 1541one child   Son of John II. Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.Richard80px25 July 15211569–159813 January 1598 Palatinate-SimmernJulianna of Wied30 January 1569four childrenEmilie of Württemberg26 March 1578no childrenAnne Margaret of Palatinate-Veldenz14 December 1589no children   Son of John II. Left no descendants. Simmern returned to the Electorate. ''Simmern briefly annexed to the Electoral Palatinate (1598–1610)''''Regency of Anna of Hesse, William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel and Louis VI, Elector Palatine (1569-1574)'' Children of Wolfgang, divided the land:* John received Zweibrücken;* Frederick received Vohenstrauss-Parkstein, which after his death with no descendants went to Neuburg;* Otto Henry received Sulzbach, which after his death with no descendants went to Neuburg;* Charles received Birkenfeld;* Philip Louis (the eldest son) received Neuburg, and absorbed his childless brothers land after their deaths.John I ''the Lame''80px8 May 15501569–160412 August 1604 Palatinate-ZweibrückenMagdalene of Jülich-Cleves-Berg1579Bad Bergzabernnine childrenPhilip Louis80px2 October 15471569–161422 August 1614 Palatinate-NeuburgAnna of Cleves27 September 1574Neuburg an der Donaueight childrenFrederick I80px11 April 15571569–159717 December 1597 Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Vohenstrauss-ParksteinKatharina Sophie of Legnica26 February 1587three childrenOtto Henry80px22 July 15671569–160429 August 1604 Palatinate-SulzbachDorothea Maria of Württemberg25 November 1582thirteen childrenCharles I80px4 September 15601569–160016 December 1600 Palatinate-Zweibrücken-BirkenfeldDorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg23 November 1590four children''Vohenstrauss-Parkstein annexed to Neuburg'' ''Sulzbach annexed to Neuburg'' '''Louis VI ''the Careless'''''''(Ludwig VI. der Leichtsinnige)''80px4 July 153926 October 1576 – 22 October 158322 October 1583 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Elisabeth of Hesse'''8 July 1560Marburgtwelve children'''Anne of Ostfriesland'''12 July 1583Heidelbergno childrenChildren of Frederick III, divided the land: Louis received the Electorate, and John Casimir was given a portion at Lautern. The latter didn't have descendants, and his portion returned to the Electorate.John Casimir80px7 March 15431576-159216 January 1592 Palatinate-Simmern(at Lautern)Elisabeth of Saxony4 June 1570Heidelbergno children''Lautern reabsorbed in the Electorate''''Regency of John Casimir, Count Palatine of Lautern (1583-1592)'' With his adviser Christian of Anhalt, he founded the Evangelical Union of Protestant states in 1608. '''Frederick IV ''the Righteous'''''''(Friedrich IV. der Aufrichtige)''80px5 March 157422 October 1583 – 19 September 161019 September 1610 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Louise Juliana of Orange-Nassau'''23 June 1593Dillenburgeight children''Regency of Anna of Sweden (1592-1598)''Children of George John I, ruled jointly. In 1598 divided the land: George Gustavus kept Veldenz;  John Augustus received Lützelstein; and Louis Philip and George John received jointly received Gutenberg. In 1601 George John ruled alone Gutenberg. In 1611, after the death of John Augustus with no descendants, Lützelstein was annexed to Guttenberg. In 1654, after the death of George John without descendants, Guttenberg reverted to Veldens, united under Leopold Louis, George Gustavus' son. George Gustavus80px6 February 15641598–16343 June 1634 Palatinate-VeldenzElisabeth of Württemberg30 October 1586no childrenMaria Elizabeth of Palatinate-Zweibrücken17 May 1601eleven children John Augustus80px26 November 15751598–161118 September 1611 Palatinate-Veldenz(at Lützelstein) Anne Elizabeth of the Palatinate1599no childrenLouis Philip I|24 November 15771598–160124 October 1601 Palatinate-Veldenz(at Gutenberg)''Unmarried''  George John II|24 June 15861598–165429 September 1654 Palatinate-Veldenz(at Gutenberg)Susanna of Palatinate-Sulzbach20 December 1562eleven children ''Regency of Philip Louis, Count Palatine of Neuburg (1600-1612) and John I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken (1600-1604)'' Children of Charles I, divided the land.George William80px6 August 15911608–166925 December 1669 Palatinate-Zweibrücken-BirkenfeldDorothea of Solms-Sonnenwalde30 November 1616six childrenJuliana of Salm-Grumbach30 November 1641no childrenAnne Elizabeth of Öttingen-Öttingen8 March 1649no childrenChristian I80px3 November 15981615–16546 September 1654 Palatinate-Birkenfeld-BischweilerMagdalene Catherine of Palatinate-Zweibrücken14 November 1630nine childrenMaria Joanna of Helffenstein28 October 1648one childJohn II ''the Younger''80px26 March 15841604–16359 August 1635 Palatinate-ZweibrückenCatherine de Rohan26 August 1604one childLouise Juliana of the Palatinate13 May 1612seven children Children of John I, divided the land: John Kept Zweibrücken, Frederick Casimir received Landsberg and John Casimir inherited Kleeburg.Frederick Casimir|10 June 15851604–164530 September 1645 Palatinate-LandsbergEmilia Antwerpiana of Orange-Nassau4 July 1616three childrenJohn Casimir80px20 April 15891604–165218 June 1652 Palatinate-KleeburgCatherine of Sweden11 June 1615Stockholmeight children'''Frederick V ''the Winter King'''''''(Friedrich V. der Winterkönig)''80px26 August 159619 September 1610 – 23 February 162329 November 1632 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Elizabeth of Great Britain'''14 February 1613Londonthirteen children In 1619, he accepted the throne of Bohemia from the Bohemian estates. He was defeated by the Emperor Ferdinand II at the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, and Spanish and Bavarian troops soon occupied the Palatinate itself. He was known as "the Winter King" because his reign in Bohemia only lasted one winter. In 1623, Frederick was put under the ban of the Empire. Frederick V's territories and his position as elector were transferred to the Duke of Bavaria, Maximilian I, of a distantly related branch of the House of Wittelsbach. Although technically Elector Palatine, he was known as the Elector of Bavaria. From 1648 he ruled in Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate alone, but retained all his electoral dignities and the seniority of the Palatinate Electorate. ''Electoral Palatinate briefly annexed to the Electorate of Bavaria (1623–1648)''Louis Philip80px23 November 16021610–16556 January 1655 Palatinate-SimmernMarie Eleonore von Brandenburg4 December 1631seven children  Son of Elector Frederick, restored Simmern.Wolfgang William80px4 November 15781614–165314 September 1653 Palatinate-NeuburgMagdalene of Bavaria11 November 1613Munichone childCatharina Charlotte of Palatinate-Zweibrücken11 November 1631Blieskasteltwo childrenMaria Franziska of Fürstenberg-Heiligenberg3 June 1651no children Son of Philip Louis, inherited Neuburg. Augustus80px2 October 15821614–163214 August 1632 Palatinate-SulzbachHedwig of Holstein-Gottorp17 July 1620seven children Sons of Philip Louis, inherited Sulzbach. John Frederick created Palatinate-Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein, but at his death with no surviving children, Sulzbach became reunited under Augustus' son, Christian August. John Frederick|23 August 15871614–164419 October 1644 Palatinate-Sulzbach(at Hilpoltstein)Sophie Agnes of Hesse-Darmstadt7/17 November 1624eight children''Regency of John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein (1632-1636)'' Reunited Sulzbach after John Frederick's death in 1644.Christian Augustus80px26 July 16221632–170823 July 1708 Palatinate-SulzbachAmalie of Nassau-Siegen27 March 1649five children''Regency of George John II, Count Palatine of Lützelstein-Guttenberg (1634-1639)''Reunited Palatinate-Veldenz in 1654.However, left no surviving male descendants. Veldenz went to the Electorate.Leopold Louis80px1 February 16251634–169429 September 1694 Palatinate-VeldenzAgatha Christine of Hanau-Lichtenberg4 July 1648Bischweilertwelve children''Veldenz definitely annexed to the Electoral Palatinate''Frederick I|5 April 16191635–16619 July 1661 Palatinate-ZweibrückenAnna Juliane of Nassau-Saarbrücken6 April 1640ten children Left no male surviving descendants. Zweibrucken was inherited by Landsberg line.Frederick Louis80px27 October 16191645–166111 April 1681 Palatinate-LandsbergJuliana Magdalena of Palatinate-Zweibrücken14 November 1645Düsseldorfthirteen children''Anna Marie Elisabeth Hepp''21 August 1672(morganatic)five childrenInherited Zweibrücken from his cousin Frederick in 1661, and annexed Landsberg to it. In 1677 the Kingdom of France occupied his duchies. He left no surviving descendants.1661–1677 Palatinate-Zweibrücken''Palatinate-Landsberg was definitely reannexed to the Palatinate-Zweibrücken''''Palatinate-Zweibrücken (with Landsberg) was briefly annexed to the Kingdom of France (1677–1693)'''''Charles Louis'''''(Karl I. Ludwig)''80px22 December 161724 October 1648- 28 August 168028 August 1680 '''Electoral Palatinate'''''(Simmern line restored)'''''Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel'''22 February 1650Kassel''(unilateral divorce in 1658)''three children''Marie Luise von Degenfeld''6 January 1658Schwetzingen''(morganatic and bigamous)''thirteen children''Elisabeth Hollander von Bernau''11 December 1679Vohenstrauß''(morganatic)''one childSon of Frederick V. By the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, Charles Louis was restored to the Lower Palatinate and was given a ''new'' electoral title, also that of "Elector Palatine" but lower in precedence than the other electorates. Charles Gustavus80px8 November 16221652–165413 February 1660 Palatinate-KleeburgHedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp24 October 1654Stockholmone child Abdicated from Kleeburg in 1654, to become King of Sweden (as ''Charles X)'', right hat he inherited from his mother.John Charles80px17 October 16381654–170421 February 1704 Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenSophie Amalie of Palatinate-Zweibrücken1685Weikersheimone childEsther Maria von Witzleben28 July 1696five children Son of Christian I, received Gelnhausen.Adolph John I80px21 October 16291654–168924 October 1689 Palatinate-KleeburgElsa Beata Brahe19 June 1649Stockholmone childElsa Elisabeth Brahe1661Stockholmnine children Brother of Charles Gustavus, received Kleeburg after the abdication of his brother.Louis Henry|11 October 16401655–16743 January 1674 Palatinate-SimmernMaria of Orange-Nassau23 September 1666Kleveno children Left no descendants. Simmern returned to the Electorate. ''Simmern definitely annexed to the Electoral Palatinate''Charles Otto|5 September 16251669–167130 March 1671 Palatinate-Zweibrücken-BirkenfeldMargaret Hedwig of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein26 September 1658three children Left no surviving descendants. Birkenfeld passed to Bischweiler line.Christian II80px22 June 16371654–167126 April 1717 Palatinate-Birkenfeld-BischweilerCatherine Agatha of Rappoltstein5 September 1667seven children Son of Christian I, kept Bischweiler, while his brother John Charles gained Gelnhausen.Inherited Birkenfeld from his cousin Charles Otto, and annexed Bischweiler to it. 1671–1717 Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld ''Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Bischweiler definitely reannexed to the Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld'''''Charles II'''''(Karl II)''80px10 April 165128 August 1680 – 26 May 168526 May 1685 '''Electoral Palatinate''''''Wilhelmine Ernestine of Denmark'''20 September 1671Heidelbergno children Last of Simmern line. '''Philip William'''''(Philipp Wilhelm)''80px24 November 16151653–16852 September 1690 Palatinate-NeuburgAnna Catherine of Poland8 June 1642Warsawno children'''Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt'''3 September 1653Bad Schwalbachseventeen children When the Simmern branch of the family died out in 1685, the electorate passed to Philip William of Neuburg  (also Duke of Jülich and Berg), son of Wolfgang William. He was  a Catholic and a maternal nephew of Maximilian I of Bavaria.26 May 1685 – 2 September 1690 '''Electoral Palatinate'''Adolph John II|21 August 16661689–170127 April 1701 Palatinate-Kleeburg''Unmarried'' Left no descendants. His lands went to his brother, Gustavus. '''John William'''''(Johann Wilhelm)''80px19 April 16582 September 1690 – 8 June 17168 June 1716 '''Electoral Palatinate'''Maria Anna Josepha of Austria25 October 1678Wiener Neustadttwo children'''Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici'''6 May 1691Innsbruckno children Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.Charles III80px24 November 16551693–16975 April 1697 Palatinate-ZweibrückenUlrika Eleonora of Denmark6 May 1680Skottorpseven children Son of Charles Gustavus (Charles X of Sweden), assumed the restored Palatinate-Zweibrücken. Also King of Sweden, as ''Charles XI''.Charles IV80px17 June 16821697–171830 November 1718 Palatinate-Zweibrücken''Unmarried'' Son of Charles II. Also King of Sweden, as ''Charles XII''. After his death with no descendants, Zweibrücken was inherited by Kleeburg line.Gustavus80px12 April 16701701–171817 September 1731 Palatinate-KleeburgDorothea of Palatinate-Veldenz10 July 1707no children''Louise Dorothea von Hoffmann''13 May 1723''(morganatic)''no children Inherited Zweibrücken from his cousin Charles III, and annexed Kleeburg to it. Left no descendants. His lands went to Birkenfeld line.1718–1731 Palatinate-Zweibrücken''Palatinate-Kleeburg was definitely reannexed to the Palatinate-Zweibrücken''''Regency (1704-1711)''Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother John.Frederick Bernard|28 May 16971704–17395 August 1739 Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenErnestine Louise of Waldeck-Pyrmont30 May 1737Arolsentwo childrenTheodore Eustace80px14 February 16591708–173211 July 1732 Palatinate-SulzbachMaria Eleonore of Hesse-Rotenburg6 June 1692Lobositznine children  '''Charles Philip'''''(Karl III. Philipp)''80px4 November 16618 June 1716 - 31 December 174231 December 1742 '''Electoral Palatinate'''Ludwika Karolina Radziwiłł10 August 1688Berlinfour childrenTeresa Lubomirska15 December 1701Krakówtwo children''Violante Theresia of Thurn and Taxis''1728''(morganatic)''no children Left no descendants. The Electorate went to Sulzbach line.Christian III80px7 November 16741717–17313 February 1735 Palatinate-Zweibrücken-BirkenfeldCaroline of Nassau-Saarbrücken21 September 1719Lorentzenfour children Inherited Zweibrücken from his cousin Gustavus, and annexed Birkenfeld to it. 1731–1735 Palatinate-Zweibrücken''Palatinate-Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld definitely reannexed to Palatinate-Zweibrücken''John Christian80px23 January 17001732–173320 July 1733 Palatinate-SulzbachMaria Henriette de La Tour d'Auvergne15 February 1722two childrenEleonore of Hesse-Rotenburg21 January 1731Mannheimno children ''Regency of Caroline of Nassau-Saarbrücken (1735-1740)''His children from his morganatic marriage were barred from succession. He was succeeded by his nephew.Christian IV80px6 September 17221735–17755 November 1775 Palatinate-Zweibrücken''Maria Johanna Camasse''1751(morganatic)six childrenJohn80px24 May 16981739–178010 February 1780 Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenSophie Charlotte of Salm-Dhaun1743Dhauneight children ''Regency of Charles Philip, Elector Palatine (1733-1738)''The title and authority of Elector Palatine were subsumed into the Electorate of Bavaria in 1777.Charles Theodore and his heirs retaining only the single vote and precedence of the Bavarian elector, though they continued to use the title "Count Palatine of the Rhine" (, ). Left no descendants, and the Electorates passed to Zweibrücken line. '''Charles Theodore'''''(Karl IV Theodor)''80px11 December 17241733-174216 February 1799 Palatinate-Sulzbach'''Elisabeth Auguste of Palatinate-Sulzbach'''17 January 1742Mannheimone child'''Maria Leopoldine of Austria-Este'''15 February 1795Innsbruckno children31 December 1742 - 30 December 1777 '''Electoral Palatinate'''30 December 1777 - 16 February 1799 '''Electoral Palatinate and Electorate of Bavaria'''Charles August80px29 October 17461775–17951 April 1795 Palatinate-ZweibrückenMaria Amalia of Saxony12 February 1774Dresdenno children Son of Frederick Michael, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken, brother of Christian IV. Succeeded his uncle, but left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother. Charles John|13/18 September 17451780–178931 March 1789 Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Gelnhausen''Unmarried'' Left no male descendants. He was succeeded by his brother William.William80px10 November 17521789–17998 January 1837 Palatinate-Birkenfeld-GelnhausenMaria Anna of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld30 January 1780Mannheimthree children In 1799 his lands were annexed to Bavaria. ''Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Gelnhausen definitely annexed to the Electorate of Bavaria'' '''Maximilian Joseph'''''(Maximilian I. Joseph)''80px27 May 17561795-179913 October 1825 Palatinate-ZweibrückenAugusta Wilhelmine of Hesse-Darmstadt30 September 1785Darmstadtfive children'''Caroline of Baden'''9 March 1797Karlsruheeight children  Charles Theodore's heir, Maximilian Joseph, Duke of Zweibrücken (on the French border), brought all the Wittelsbach territories under a single rule in 1799.The Palatinate was dissolved in the Wars of the French Revolution. First, its left bank territories were occupied (and then annexed) by France starting in 1795; then, in 1803, its right bank territories were taken by the Margrave of Baden. The Rhenish Palatinate, as a distinct territory, disappeared. In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was abolished, and all the rights and responsibilities of the electors with it. 16 February 1799 - 27 April 1803 '''Electoral Palatinate and Electorate of Bavaria'''27 April 1803 - 1 January 1806 '''Electorate of Bavaria'''''Palatinate-Zweibrücken was definitely annexed to the Electorate of Bavaria''''Electoral Palatinate was definitely annexed to the Electorate of Bavaria''
Electors of Bavaria and counts palatine of the Rhine, 1777–1803  Zweibrücken Line Image Name Began Ended Notes 80px '''Maximilian I Joseph''' 16 February 1799 27 April 1803 Charles Theodore's heir, Maximilian Joseph, Duke of Zweibrücken (on the French border), brought all the Wittelsbach territories under a single rule in 1799.The Palatinate was dissolved in the Wars of the French Revolution. First, its left bank territories were occupied (and then annexed) by France starting in 1795; then, in 1803, its right bank territories were taken by the Margrave of Baden. The Rhenish Palatinate, as a distinct territory, disappeared. In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was abolished, and all the rights and responsibilities of the electors with it.
Later history Following the great restorations of 1815, the Lower Palatinate (albeit without any prince-elector role) was restored as one of eight Bavarian Districts. After World War II the American Military Government of Germany took the Lower Palatinate from Bavaria and merged it with neighbouring territories to form a new state called Rhineland-Palatinate (German: ''Rheinland-Pfalz'') with Mainz as the state capital. The people had felt neglected by the governments in Munich for generations and later approved the merger in a plebiscite.The present head of the House of Wittelsbach, Franz, Duke of Bavaria (born 1933), is still traditionally styled as ''His Royal Highness the Duke of Bavaria, Duke of Franconia and in Swabia, Count Palatine of the Rhine''.
Notes