Principality of Reuss-Greiz

The Principality of Reuss-Greiz (German: Fürstentum Reuß-Greiz), called the Principality of the Reuss Elder Line (German: Fürstentum Reuß älterer Linie) after 1848, was a sovereign state in modern Germany, ruled by members of the House of Reuss. The Counts Reuss of Greiz, Lower-Greiz and Upper-Greiz (German: Reuß zu Greiz, Untergreiz und Obergreiz) were elevated to princely status in 1778 and thereafter bore the title of Prince Reuss, Elder Line, or Prince Reuss of Greiz.

Principality of Reuss-Greiz Fürstentum Reuß-Greiz
1778–1918
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Ich Bau Auf Gott "I build on God"
Anthem: Gott, erhalt' in Deiner Gnaden Unsern Fürsten "God, Save in Your Mercy Our Prince"
The Reuss Elder Line within the German Empire
The Reuss Elder Line within Thuringia
Capital	Greiz
Government	Principality
Prince
• 1778–1800	Heinrich XI
• 1800–1817	Heinrich XIII
• 1817–1836	Heinrich XIX
• 1836–1859	Heinrich XX
• 1859–1902	Heinrich XXII
• 1902–1918	Heinrich XXIV
Minister of State
• 1782–1833	Franz von Grün
• 1901–1918	Ernst von Meding
History
• Established	12 May 1778
• Disestablished	11 November 1918
Area
1905	316.7 km^2 (122.3 sq mi)
Population
• 1905	70,590
Preceded by Succeeded by Imperial County of Reuss People's State of Reuss

Similarly to the more numerous Reuss Junior Line, the male members of this house were all named "Heinrich", in honour of Emperor Heinrich VI, who had benefited the family. They were numbered sequentially by birth, rather than by reign, with the last series beginning with Heinrich I (born 1693) and ending with Heinrich XXIV (1878–1927).

Territory

The principality of the Reuss Elder Line had an area of 317 km² and a population of 71,000 (1905). Its capital was Greiz.

In 1919, in the aftermath of World War I, the territory of the Elder Line was merged with that of the Junior Line as the People's State of Reuss, which was incorporated into the new state of Thuringia in 1920. The Elder Line died out in 1927 with the death of the childless Heinrich XXIV, after which its claims were passed to the Junior Line.

• 
  The Upper Castle at Greiz
• 
  The Lower Castle at Greiz

Princes of Reuss-Greiz (1778–1918)

• Heinrich XI, Count Reuss of Obergreiz from 1723, Untergreiz from 1768, 1st Prince 12 May 1778 – 1800 (1722–1800)
  • Heinrich XIII, 2nd Prince 1800–1817 (1747–1817)
    • Heinrich XIX, 3rd Prince 1817–1836 (1790–1836)
    • Heinrich XX, 4th Prince 1836–1859 (1794–1859)
      • Heinrich XXII, 5th Prince 1859–1902 (1846–1902)
        • Heinrich XXIV, 6th Prince 1902–1918 (1878–1927)

Princes post-monarchy

Heinrich XXIV, 6th Prince 1918–1927 (1878–1927)

To Reuss Junior Line on the death of Prince Heinrich XXIV

Notable figures

• Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz, wife of former German Emperor Wilhelm II
• Princess Caroline Reuss of Greiz, wife of Wilhelm Ernst, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach

See also

• Flag of Germany, whose modern colors match those of the Reuss-Greiz principality