The following is a list of all princes of Lüneburg during its time as an independent principality.
The Principality of Lüneburg (), later also called Celle, was a territory within the Holy Roman Empire that existed from 1269 to 1705, whose land covered part of the modern-day German state of Lower Saxony. The territory was granted imperial immediacy which gave it the special status of reporting directly to the emperor. It emerged in 1269 following the division of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and its rulers continued to use the title of dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Lüneburg lost its independence in 1705 when it was inherited by the Principality of Calenberg (also known as Hanover), which however could keep a separate seat in the Reichstag for Lüneburg or "Brunswick-Celle".
Princes of Lüneburg
Old House of Lüneburg
PortraitNameRuleRemarksJohn (1242-1277)1269 - 1277Following the division of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, John was the first ruler of the new Principality of Lüneburg.Otto II the Strict (1266-1330) 1277 - 1330Otto II of Brunswick-Lüneburg after Otto the Child (Otto I of Brunswick-Lüneburg)Otto III (1296-1352)1330 - 1352William († 1369)1330 - 1369William II of Brunswick-Lüneburg. His death precipitated the Lüneburg War of Succession in 1370.
Old House of Brunswick
PortraitNameRuleRemarksMagnus Torquatus (1328-1373)1369 - 1373Magnus II. "Magnus with the Necklace." 2nd cousin, once removed, of William II
Dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg
PortraitNameRuleRemarksAlbert of Saxe-Wittenberg (d 1385)1370 - 1385 Albert moved the residence to Celle after the slighting of Lüneburg Castle.Wenceslas of Saxe-Wittenberg (d 1388)1370 - 1388
Middle House of Brunswick
PortraitNameRuleRemarksHenry I the Mild (d 1416)1388 - 1416William the Victorious (1392-1482)1416 - 1428Henry II the Peaceful (1411-1473)1416 - 1428
Middle House of Lüneburg
PortraitNameRuleRemarksBernard I (d 1434)1388 - 1409 and1428 - 1434Otto I the Lame (d 1446)1434 - 1446Otto IV of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Also "Otto Crookleg".Frederick the Pious (d 1478)1434 - 1457 and1472 - 1478Frederick IIBernard II (1432-1464)1457 - 1464Also Prince-Bishop of Hildesheim as Bernard III (1452–1458)Otto II the Magnanimous (1439-1471)1457 - 1471Otto V of Brunswick-Lüneburg Henry I of Lüneburg (1468-1532)1486 - 1520Otto I of Harburg (1495-1549)1520 - 1527Otto VI of Brunswick-LüneburgFrancis (1508-1549)1536 - 1539Ernest the Confessor (1497-1546)1520 - 1546Ernest I. Introduced the Reformation into the Principality of Lüneburg in 1527. He was also the progenitor of the Calenberg-Celle and Wolfenbüttel linesFrancis Otto (1530-1559)1555 - 1559Henry of Dannenberg (1533-1598)1559 - 1569Henry IIIWilliam the Younger (1535-1592)1559 - 1592Ernest II (1564-1611)1592 - 1611Christian (1566-1633)1611 - 1633Augustus the Elder (1568-1636)1633 - 1636AugustusFrederick (1571-1648)1636 - 1648
New House of Lüneburg
PortraitNameRuled fromToRemarksChristian LouisChristian Ludwig10 December 164815 March 1665Nephew of the previous duke; he was already Duke of Brunswick-Calenberg, which he resigned to his next brother to take up the rule of this duchy.John Frederick (1625-1679)Johann Friedrich1665George WilliamGeorg Wilhelm15 March 166528 August 1705Brother of Christian Louis, previously ruler of Brunswick-Calenberg
In 1705 the Principality of Lüneburg was united with the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg through inheritance.
See also List of consorts of Lüneburg List of the rulers of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Sources Geckler, Christa (1986). Die Celler Herzöge: Leben und Wirken 1371–1705. Celle: Georg Ströher. . . William Havemann: Geschichte the Lande Brunswick und Lüneburg, 3 Bde., Nachdruck. Hirschheydt, Hannover 1974/75, (Originalausgabe: Verlag the Dietrich'schen Buchhandlung, Göttingen 1853–1857) Hans Patze (Begr.): Geschichte Niedersachsen, 7 Bde. Hahnsche Buchhandlung, Hannover 1977- (Veröffentlichungen the Historischen Kommission für Niedersachsen und Bremen, 36)