House of Luxemburg

File:Coat of arms of the House of Luxemburg with crest from Bergshammar Armorial.png

The House of Luxemburg (German: Haus Lützelburg or Haus Limburg-Luxemburg; French: Maison de Luxembourg) or Luxemburg dynasty, was a German noble and royal family of the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages, originating in Lotharingia.

History

The House of Luxemburg stemmed from the House of Ardenne (German: Wigeriche or Ardennergrafen) which was an important medieval noble family from Lotharingia, known from at least the tenth century. Progenitor Wigerich was a Frankish nobleman, Count in Bidgau (Gaugraf) and since 19 January 916 Count Palatine (Pfalzgraf) of Lotharingia, awarded to him by Charles the Simple, King of West Francia from 898 until 922, and King of Lotharingia from 911 until 919–923. He was a member of the Carolingian dynasty. His wife Kunigunde was a granddaughter of Louis the Stammerer. The Wigerichs had several important branches, descended from several brothers:

• The House of Ardenne–Luxembourg, including the counts of Luxembourg, descended from Count Sigfried of Luxembourg
• The House of Ardenne–Verdun, with several dukes of Lower Lotharingia, descended from Count Gozlin of Bidgau
• The House of Ardenne–Bar, with several dukes of Upper Lotharingia, descended from Duke Frederick I of Upper Lorraine.

From 1373 to 1529, members of House of Luxemburg were Electors of Brandenburg, and between 1308 and 1437 ruled as Kings of Germany and Holy Roman Emperors as well as Kings of Bohemia, Hungary and Croatia. Henry VII (1275–1313) was King of Germany in 1308 (in succession to the assassinated Albert I) and Holy Roman Emperor Emperor in 1312. Their rule was twice interrupted by the rival Bavarian House of Wittelsbach.

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