House of Luxembourg

The house Limburg- Luxembourg (often short home Luxembourg, Luxembourg or Luetzel burger) was a German princely family, which stood next to the Habsburgs, the most Holy Roman kings of the late Middle Ages. It is a branch of the House of Limburg - Arlon and is not to be confused with the house of Luxembourg the 10th and 11th century.

Founder of the line was Henry V, he was a son Walrams IV of Limburg ( Limburg- house Arlon ) with his second wife Ermesinde II of Luxembourg (House of Namur), who inherited the County of Luxembourg by his mother, while his half-brother Henry IV inherited the Duchy of Limburg. Henry V's younger son Walram I., was given dominion Ligny and founded the sideline house Luxembourg - Ligny.

The first member of the royal throne was Henry VII in 1308, a grandson of Henry V. This was his son Johann 1310 use as king of Bohemia ( its by countries Moravia, Silesia, Lusatia and Glatz ), which then became the basis of their power base. Henry succeeded in 1312 to regain the dignity of the Holy Roman Emperor, but his business failed restorations a imperii. Henry's son, John earned high reputation as king of Bohemia and operated a very successful house power politics. Even Henry's brother Baldwin of Luxembourg, Archbishop of Trier, was significant: He was one of the most successful politicians of the 14th century and given up to his death decisively with the politics in the Empire.

The most important ruler of the house of Luxembourg was Charles IV, probably the most successful in-house power politician of the late Middle Ages. At times, the Luxembourg have established also in Brabant and Limburg (1355-1404) and in Brandenburg ( 1373-1415 ). 1387 was also able to bring the Hungarian crown in her hand ( this plan had already been drawn up by Karl). Karl it to elect his son Wenceslas in his lifetime Roman-German king succeeded. It also saw some time look as would make the monarchy de facto hereditary power of the House of Luxembourg, and the provisions of the Golden Bull.

But Wenzel was not able to fulfill the expectations placed in him. The house Luxembourg initially lost not only the kingship ( in deposing Wenzel 1400), but also a lot of respect. Under Sigismund of Luxembourg Luxembourgers managed to return to power, even though it no longer acted IV to the hegemonic kingdom of Charlemagne. With Sigismund, who could look back on a long and relatively successful reign ( as the Great Schism in 1417 was settled ), the house Luxembourg ended in the male line in 1437 and died in order from.

To inherit his son Sigismund, Duke Albrecht of Austria, who could unite all three crowns on Sigismund himself was. This contributed to the rise of the Habsburgs not insignificant contribution, even if the union of Bohemia, Hungary and Austria for the time being remained only episode. The possessions of the Luxembourg west of the Rhine were integrated into the countries complex of the House of Burgundy.