Principality of Reuss-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"
Reuss Elder Line within the German Empire
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
Population
•	1905 est.	70,590
Density
Preceded by Succeeded by Reuss (state) Republic of Reuss

File:Map-saxony1900.png

Reuss Elder Line in the 19th century

The Principality of Reuss-Greiz (German: Fürstentum Reuß-Greiz), was a state in Germany, ruled by members of the House of Reuss. The Counts Reuss of Greiz, Lower- and Upper Greiz (German: Reuß zu Greiz, Untergreiz und Obergreiz), were elevated to princely status in 1778. Its members bore the title Prince Reuss, Elder Line, or Prince Reuss of Greiz. Similarly to the more numerous Reuss Younger Line, the male members of this house were all named "Heinrich", in honour of Heinrich VI who had benefited the family, and were numbered sequentially by birth, rather than by reign, the last series beginning with Heinrich I (born 1693) and ending with Heinrich XXIV (1878–1927).

The Principality of 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 Republic of Reuss, which later that year was incorporated into the new state of Thuringia. The Reuss Elder Line died out with the death of the childless Heinrich XXIV in 1927, after which its claims were passed to the younger line.

• 

  The Upper Castle at Greiz

• 

  The Lower Castle at Greiz

Princes of Reuss-Greiz (1778–1918)

• Heinrich XI, Count Reuss von Ober-Greiz from 1723, Unter-Greiz from 1768, 1st Prince 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 Younger 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