BRUNSWICK, the family of. The illustrious and ancient house of Brunswick owes its origin to Azo IV. of the family of Este, son of Hugo III. marquis of Ferrara in Italy. Azo, who died in 1055, left by his wife Cunegonde, daughter and heiress to Guelf III. duke of Bavaria, a son who was Guelf IV. great-grandfather to Henry the Lion. His son, Guelf V. furnished the Valiant, was created duke of Bavaria by the emperor Henry II. His son, Guelf VI. married Matilda, the richest heiress in Europe; but having no issue, his brother Henry the Black succeeded to his dominions. He died in 1125, having married Wulfhild, daughter of Magnus, last duke of Saxony of the Bulling family, by whom he had Henry the Proud, who succeeded to Bavaria in 1137; and he having married a daughter of the emperor Lotharius, his father-in-law granted him investiture of Saxony, and meant him for his successor in the empire; but this last he was disappointed of. Dying in 1139, both Saxony and Bavaria devolved on his son Henry V. furnished the Lion. He married Maude, eldest daughter of King Henry II. of England, and is always looked upon as the founder of the Brunswick family: it is therefore extremely remarkable, that his present majesty should be descended from one of our worthiest monarchs, in whom were united the royal Anglo-Saxon and Norman blood. The dominions possessed by Henry the Lion were the most extensive of any prince of his time; but having refused to assist the emperor
Brunswick Frederick Barbarossa in a war against Pope Alexander III. this drew the emperor's resentment on him; and being already jealous of his power and abilities, all his former services were forgotten; and in the diet of Wurtzburg in 1179 or 1180, he was proscribed. The duchy of Bavaria was given to Otho Count Wittelbach, from whom is descended the present electoral family of Bavaria; the duchy of Saxony to Bernard Ascanius, founder of the house of Anhalt; and all his other territories disposed of to different persons. On this he retired to England; and by his father's intercession, Brunswick and Lunenburg were restored to him. His wife Maude died in 1189, and he in 1195. He left three sons: but the two oldest not leaving any male issue, William, the third son, carried on the line of the family; and his son Otho was created duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg in 1235, by the emperor Ferdinand II. From him all the succeeding dukes of this family have descended; and no family can boast of a line of princes who have more distinguished themselves, both by their political abilities and martial achievements; and they are allied to all the principal families in Europe. The house of Brunswick has divided into several branches. The present duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel is sprung from the eldest; the duke of Brunswick-Zell was from the second; and from this last sprung the elector of Hanover.