Albert II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Encyclopedia
Albert II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg , was a Prince of Grubenhagen; he reigned from 1440 until his death in 1485.
Albert II was the third son of Duke Eric I
and Elizabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen, a daughter of Otto the Bad, Duke of Brunswick-Göttingen. He was a grandson of the Duke Albert I
, was still a minor when his father died on 27 May 1427. His uncle, Duke Otto the Younger of Grubenhagen-Osterode served until 1440 as regent for Albert II and his brothers Henry III
and Ernest II. After 1440, the three brothers, following the Grubenhagen tradition, ruled jointly until Henry died in 1464. After the death of Henry II, Ernest II joined the clergy
and Albert II became sole ruler and regent for Henry III's son, Henry IV
.
Albert II was repeatedly involved in feuds. For example, in 1477, Duke William the Younger of Göttingen got into a dispute with the city of Einbeck
(in the Duchy of Grubenhagen) and in 1479, he encamped his army before the town. The citizens of Einbeck came out to fight him in an open field. Duke William lured them into an ambush and defeated them completly. According to the chroniclers, more than 300 citizens were killed and over 800 were captured and brought to William's Hardegsen Castle. Albert and William settled their dispute on 5 December 1479 in Göttingen
, without a battle. The city of Einbeck, however, had to pay a ransom of to free the captive citizens, and had to accept William's protection.
Henry IV came of age in 1479 and agreed with his uncle on a division of their territory. Albert kept Herzberg Castle
and Osterode Castle, while Henry received Heldenburg Castle. The towns of Einbeck and Osterode were ruled jointly.
Albrecht was married with Elizabeth, daughter of Count Wolrad I of Waldeck
. She gave birth to his three sons and a daughter Sophie, who died at age 6. His son Ernest died shortly after Albert himself died. Albert was succeeded in government by his son Philip I
, while his son Eric became Bishop
of Osnabrück and Paderborn. In 1532, Eric was elected Bishop of Munster, but he died on May 14 of that year, before he had been confirmed.
Albert died in 1485 and was buried in Osterode am Harz
.
Albert II was the third son of Duke Eric I
Eric I, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Eric I, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen nicknamed the winner , ruled the Principality of Grubenhagen, a part of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg.- Life :...
and Elizabeth of Brunswick-Göttingen, a daughter of Otto the Bad, Duke of Brunswick-Göttingen. He was a grandson of the Duke Albert I
Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Albert I of Brunswick-Grubenhagen was a Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and Prince of Brunswick-Grubenhagen-Salzderhelden. He reigned from 1361 until his death....
, was still a minor when his father died on 27 May 1427. His uncle, Duke Otto the Younger of Grubenhagen-Osterode served until 1440 as regent for Albert II and his brothers Henry III
Henry III of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Henry III, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg , of the House of Welf, was a Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg ruling the ducal Principality of Grubenhagen between 1427 and 1464.- Life :...
and Ernest II. After 1440, the three brothers, following the Grubenhagen tradition, ruled jointly until Henry died in 1464. After the death of Henry II, Ernest II joined the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
and Albert II became sole ruler and regent for Henry III's son, Henry IV
Henry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Duke Henry IV of Brunswick Grubenhagen was a member of the Guelph dynasty and was Prince of Brunswick-Grubenhagen.- Life :...
.
Albert II was repeatedly involved in feuds. For example, in 1477, Duke William the Younger of Göttingen got into a dispute with the city of Einbeck
Einbeck
Einbeck is a town in the district Northeim, in southern Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located on the German Timber-Frame Road.-Economy:Einbeck is famous for its 600 year old beer brewery, home of Einbecker Bier, the origin for the term Bock beer...
(in the Duchy of Grubenhagen) and in 1479, he encamped his army before the town. The citizens of Einbeck came out to fight him in an open field. Duke William lured them into an ambush and defeated them completly. According to the chroniclers, more than 300 citizens were killed and over 800 were captured and brought to William's Hardegsen Castle. Albert and William settled their dispute on 5 December 1479 in Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
, without a battle. The city of Einbeck, however, had to pay a ransom of to free the captive citizens, and had to accept William's protection.
Henry IV came of age in 1479 and agreed with his uncle on a division of their territory. Albert kept Herzberg Castle
Herzberg Castle
Herzberg Castle is a German Schloss in Herzberg am Harz in the district of Osterode am Harz in the state of Lower Saxony. The present-day four-winged building has its origins in the 11th century as a medieval Burg. After a fire in 1510 it was rebuilt as a Schloss and is one of the few in Lower...
and Osterode Castle, while Henry received Heldenburg Castle. The towns of Einbeck and Osterode were ruled jointly.
Albrecht was married with Elizabeth, daughter of Count Wolrad I of Waldeck
Wolrad I, Count of Waldeck
Count Wolrad I of Waldeck was a son of Count Henry VII of Waldeck and his wife Margaret of Nassau-Wiesbaden-Idstein. He was named after his maternal grandfather, and was to first Wolrad in the House of Waldeck...
. She gave birth to his three sons and a daughter Sophie, who died at age 6. His son Ernest died shortly after Albert himself died. Albert was succeeded in government by his son Philip I
Philip I, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
Philip I, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen was a member of the House of Guelph. He was ruler of the Principality of Grubenhagen. He was the second son of Duke Albert II of Grubenhagen and his wife Elizabeth, née Countess of Waldeck. Philip was the last member of the Grubenhagen line to use the...
, while his son Eric became Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Osnabrück and Paderborn. In 1532, Eric was elected Bishop of Munster, but he died on May 14 of that year, before he had been confirmed.
Albert died in 1485 and was buried in Osterode am Harz
Osterode am Harz
For the town in East Prussia formerly called Osterode, see Ostróda.Osterode am Harz often simply called Osterode, is a town in south-eastern Niedersachsen on the south-western edge of the Harz mountains. It is the seat of government of the district of Osterode. The town is twinned with Scarborough,...
.