German Awards - German States - Reuss (Junior + Senior) - Principality

Since 1779, a small state, the senior Reuss line, received princely honor in Thuringia. The capital was Greitz. In 1807, the principality entered the Rhine Union, and in 1815, after the defeat of Napoleon, into the German Union. In the war of 1866 he was an ally of Austria against Prussia. After Prussia's victory, partition was abandoned because the principality was too small. Only a cash payment and entry into the North German Union were required.
In 1902, with Prince Henry XXII, the reign of the senior line ended and continued with the junior line.

The younger Reuss line arose only in 1848 from the three parts of Hera, Schleiz and Lobenstein-Ebersdorf. The capital was the city of Hera. The younger line of the Principality of Reuss was also a member of the German Union. However, in the war of 1866, she fought on the Prussian side and voluntarily joined the North German Union.

Both principalities became part of the German Empire in 1871. The last prince of both houses was Henry XXVII, who abdicated in 1918. After that, both principalities in 1919 became the people's state of Reuss, and later part of the state of Thuringia.


The coat of arms of the younger line is shown