Duchy of Gifhorn
The Duchy Gifhorn based in Gifhorn Castle was founded in 1539 and was just 10 years until the death of its ruler Duke Franz of Brunswick -Lüneburg 1549. It consisted of the offices Gifhorn, Faller life and the monastery Isenhagen.
Foundation
Establishing the Duchy came when Duke Franz of Brunswick- Lüneburg in 1536 returned from his longtime residence on the Saxon court in Wittenberg. From his older brother Duke Ernest of Brunswick- Lüneburg, the Confessor (because of its commitment to the Lutheran doctrine ), he demanded a separate duchy as Erbabfindung and pressed for division of the state. Since his claims was unacceptable ( because of the indebtedness of the Duchy ) to the entire eastern half, he received in 1539 the offices Gifhorn, Faller life and the monastery Isenhagen at Hankensbuettel. Although Franz tried to enforce the full sovereignty of his dominions, remained significant sovereign rights in the ducal house in Celle. So Celle was still responsible for foreign policy issues, also the Gifhorner nobility remained part of the Lüneburg country stand.
Extension
The Duchy Gifhorn was a little more manageable territory. Duke Francis was able to develop in him by his noble self-image and princely representation free. This lifestyle had characterized him during his long stay at the court of the Elector of Saxony in Wittenberg. He had converted from 1525 Gifhorn Castle as his residence. The courtly life was marked by the splendor of great royal courts, he served in expensive Venetian glasses, held chivalrous tournaments and royal hunts, employed a jester and a court chancellor. At the same time he built the castle Faller life as a rural noble residence.
End
His marriage in 1547 with Clare of Saxe-Lauenburg in Ratzeburg lasted only three years, because in 1549 the Duke died at the age of 41 years at a wound infection. He was buried in the castle chapel Gifhorner where today a carved tomb figure adorns his sarcophagus. His wife Duchess Clara received as compensation Castle Faller life as a widow seat. Since Duke Francis left no male successor, the Duchy Gifhorn dropped back to the Principality of Lüneburg.