Duchy of Holstein

Duchy of Holstein
Herzogtum Holstein (German)
Hertugdømmet Holsten (Danish)
1474–1864
Flag of Holstein
Civil Ensign[1]
Coat of arms of Holstein
Coat of arms
Location and borders of the Duchy of Holstein by 1789
Location and borders of the Duchy of Holstein by 1789
Status
CapitalGlückstadt
Common languagesGerman, Low German, Danish
Religion
Lutheran
GovernmentFeudal Monarchy
Duke 
• 1474–1481
Christian I (first)
• 1863–1864
Christian IX (last)
Historical eraEarly Modern
5 March 1460
14 February 1474
1 February 1864
30 October 1864
Currency Rigsdaler
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Holstein
Province of Schleswig-Holstein

The Duchy of Holstein (German: Herzogtum Holstein; Danish: Hertugdømmet Holsten) was the northernmost state of the Holy Roman Empire, located in the present German state of Schleswig-Holstein. It originated when King Christian I of Denmark had his County of Holstein-Rendsburg elevated to a duchy by Emperor Frederick III in 1474. Members of the Danish House of Oldenburg ruled Holstein – jointly with the Duchy of Schleswig – for its entire existence.

From 1490 to 1523 and again from 1544 to 1773 the Duchy was partitioned between various Oldenburg branches, most notably the dukes of Holstein-Glückstadt (identical with the Kings of Denmark) and Holstein-Gottorp. The duchy ceased to exist when the Kingdom of Prussia annexed it in 1866 after the Austro-Prussian War.


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