House of Biron
CountryDuchy of Courland and Semigallia
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Duchy of Prussia
Grand Duchy of Finland
Russian Empire
Founded18th century
FounderErnst Johann von Biron
Current headErnst-Johann Biron, Prince of Courland
Final rulerPeter von Biron
TitlesDuke, Regent
Estate(s)Latvia, Russia, Poland
Deposition1795

The House of Biron is the name of the Baltic German aristocratic family which was the ruling family of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. The family also enjoyed privileges and influence during the times of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and in the Russian Empire.

History

Initially von Bühren, the family came from Büren, Westphalia, Germany to Courland and were part of the retinue of Gotthard Kettler, Duke of Courland. The family rose to prominence when the last member of the reigning House of Kettler was left without any male heirs. As a result, Ernst Johann von Biron, a lover of Empress Anna of Russia, succeeded Ferdinand Kettler as Duke of Courland and Semigallia.

After that, the family ruled the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia for periods of time between 1737 and 1795. However, the dynasty was short lived and ended with Peter von Biron, who died in 1800 with no male heirs.[1] Today, existing line of the family are descendants of Prince Karl Ernst, Duke Peter's younger brother.

Family tree

References

  1. ↑ "Duke Peter von Biron".

Media related to House of Biron at Wikimedia Commons

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.