Principality of Ansbach

Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach / Principality of Ansbach
Markgrafschaft Brandenburg-Ansbach / Fürstentum Ansbach
State of the Holy Roman Empire
1398–1806


Coat of arms

The principality of Brandenburg-Ansbach as of 1791, superimposed over modern borders
Capital Ansbach
Languages East Franconian
Government Principality
Historical era Early modern period
 • Nuremberg became
    Imperial City
1219
 •  Partition of
    burgraviate
21 January 1398
 • Personal union with
    Brandenburg
1415–40
 • Reunion with
    Bayreuth
11 June 1420
 • Repartition 21 September 1440
 • Restoration of
    personal union
1470–86
 •  Margraviate sold
    to Prussia
2 December 1791 1806
 • Formal annexation 28 January 1792
Preceded by 		Succeeded by
Burgraviate of Nuremberg
Kingdom of Prussia
Today part of  Germany

The Principality of Ansbach (German: Fürstentum Ansbach) or Markgraftum Brandenburg-Ansbach was a reichsfrei principality in the Holy Roman Empire centered on the Bavarian city of Ansbach. The ruling Hohenzollern princes of the land were known as margraves, as the principality was a margraviate (but not a march).

History

The principality was established at the death of Frederick V, Burgrave of Nuremberg, on 21 January 1398, when his lands were partitioned between his two sons. The younger son, Frederick VI, received Ansbach and the elder, John III, received Bayreuth. After John III's death on 11 June 1420, the two principalities were reunited under Frederick VI, who had become Elector Frederick I of Brandenburg in 1415.

Upon Frederick I's death on 21 September 1440, his territories were divided between his sons; John received the principality of Bayreuth (Brandenburg-Kulmbach), Frederick received Brandenburg, and Albert received Ansbach. Thereafter Ansbach was held by cadet branches of the House of Hohenzollern, and its rulers were commonly called Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach.

On 2 December 1791, the reigning Prince and Margrave of Ansbach, Charles Alexander, who had also succeeded to Bayreuth, sold the sovereignty of his principalities to King Frederick William II of Prussia. The Margrave was middle-aged and childless, and Frederick William was his kinsman as the head of the House of Hohenzollern. The Margrave moved to England with his English second wife. Ansbach was formally annexed on 28 January 1792.

Princes and Margraves of Ansbach

See also

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