Hanover

Hanover is a historic region in Germany.

History

The duchy of Brunswick and Lüneburg was established in 1235 for Otto I, in return for surrendering his lands to Frederick II. Otto's grandfather, Henry III, had been duke of Saxony and Bavaria until he was sent into exile; this was a reconciliation between their dynasties.

The duchy began to splinter in 1269, with the formation of the principality of Brunswick. The principality of Calendon would be established in 1432. By the 17th century, these dukes held court in the city of Hanover.

For various periods of time, the duchy was re-united as a personal union. One such duke, Ernest Augustus, was raised to an elector of the Holy Roman Empire in 1692. Hereafter the dukes would prefer the title prince-elector, including his son, George I.

Hanover became a primary target of both the Seven Years' War and the Napoleonic Wars.

Because the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved through the latter war, the independent kingdom of Hanover was declared in 1814 under George III.

Then kingdom was annexed by Prussia through the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. It became the province of Hanover.

After World War 2, regional government was reorganized such that the city of Hanover became the capital of the state of Lower Saxony.

CategoryRicottone