Principality of Reuss-Gera Index

Heinrich XXVII, last reigning Prince Reuss Younger Line; Credit – Wikipedia

IMPORTANT: All males of the House of Reuss were named Heinrich plus a number. In the Reuss-Greiz (Older Line), the numbering covered all male children and the numbers increased until 100 was reached and then started again at 1. In the Reuss-Gera (Younger Line), the system was similar but the numbers increased until the end of the century before starting again at 1. This tradition was seen as a way of honoring Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich VI (reigned 1191 – 1197) who had benefitted the family. Therefore, the Roman numerals seen after names are NOT regnal numbers.

The House of Reuss began their rule circa 1010. Heinrich XLII became Count of Reuss-Schleiz in 1784, and then also became Count of Reuss-Gera in 1802. In 1806,  the united county was raised to the Principality of Reuss-Gera or Reuss Younger Line.  Between 1824 and 1848, the senior line of Gera gradually combined the territory of the surviving cadet branches (Lobenstein, Köstritz, and Ebersdorf).

The last two Princes Reuss of Gera, Heinrich XIV, 4th Prince Reuss of Gera and his son Heinrich XXVII, 5th Prince of Reuss-Gera, served successively as the Regents for Heinrich XXIV, the 6th and last Prince Reuss of Greiz who was unable to rule because of his physical and mental disabilities as a result of an accident in his childhood.  On November 11, 1918, Heinrich XXVII abdicated his position as 5th Prince Reuss of Gera and as Regent abdicated for the disabled Heinrich XXIV, 6th Prince Reuss of Greiz. The new government of Reuss-Gera made an agreement with Heinrich XXVII and granted him some castles and land. The territory encompassing the Principality of Reuss-Gera is now located within the German state of Thuringia.

The Principality of Reuss-Gera within the German Empire; Credit – By Milenioscuro – Own work based on: File:Deutsches Reich (Karte) Reuß jüngere Linie.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35265384

Below is an indexed listing with links to biographical articles about the Princely Family of Reuss-Gera. If it says “Notable Issue” before a name, that means not all of the children for the parent of that person are listed. Also listed below are links to the Reuss-Gera  Content Areas.

House of Reuss Younger Line

Principality of Reuss-Gera (1806 – 1918)

Family of Heinrich XLII, 1st Prince Reuss of Gera

  • Heinrich XLII, 1st Prince Reuss of Gera (Count of Reuss-Schleiz 1784 – 1802, Count of Reuss-Schleiz and Gera 1802–1806, 1st Prince Reuss of Gera 1806 – 1818)
  • Princess Caroline of Hohenlohe-Kirchberg, Princess Reuss of Gera (wife of Heinrich XLII)
    • Notable Issue: Heinrich LXII, 2nd Prince Reuss of Gera (see below)
    • Notable Issue: Heinrich LXVII, 3rd Prince Reuss of Gera (see below)

Heinrich LXII, 2nd Prince Reuss of Gera

Family of Heinrich LXVII, 3rd Prince Reuss of Gera 

  • Heinrich LXVII, 3rd Prince Reuss of Gera (reigned 1854 – 1867)
  • Princess Adelheid Reuss of Ebersdorf, Princess Reuss of Gera (wife of Heinrich LXVII)
    • Notable Issue: Heinrich XIV, 4th Prince Reuss of Gera (see below)

Family of Heinrich XIV, 4th Prince Reuss of Gera

Family of Heinrich XXVII, 5th Prince Reuss of Gera

Pretenders of the Principality of Reuss-Gera

Other Reuss Royals

Reuss Miscellaneous Articles

Reuss-Gera Content Areas