Beglin Grandfathers c. 1660

Grandfathers
Benedictus Beglin
Birth 21 March 1688

Joannes Beglin
Birth December 1681 in Inneringen, Hohenzollern, Preussen
(about 30 miles south of Stuttgart, east of Albstadt, Baden-Wurttemberg)
[Familysearch.com]


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Zollern Coat of Arms

House of Hohenzollern
A German dynasty that originated from Southern Germany. The castle Zollern, from which the name is derived, is located near Sigmaringen in the area of present
Baden-Wurtemberg.

Burgchard de Zolorin, who lived in 11th century, is considered to be the founder of the dynasty. His son Frederick in 1111 was given the count's title. The count Frederick III (d. 1201) through the marriage with Sophie von Rätz took over the right to inherit the office of the burgrave of Nuremberg. Two sons of that couple founded the main two lines of the dynasty: of Franconia and of Swabia. The older line received the property in Franconia together with the bugraviate of Nuremberg. The younger line obtained the property in Suabia, together with the county Zollern.

In 1537 the elector Joachim II and the Prince of Legnica and Brzeg Frederick II on the occasion of their children's wedding signed a pact about survival. The Hohenzollerns recognised the Piasts's rights regarding the legacy of Krosno and Dolne Luzyce, and in exchange were given the rights to the principalities of Brzeg and Legnica. The principalities would become the property of one of the families in case the other extinguished.

The emperor Ferdinand I invalidated this pact in 1746. But the Hohenzollerns upheld their claims concerning the Silesian principalities.

Hohenzollern' Castle in Berlin
From the elector John George's (d. 1598) younger sons stem the following lines: from Christian the line of Bayreuth (extinguished in 1763) and from Joachim Ernest the line of Ansbach (extinguished in 1806). Representatives of both lines ruled in the family's property in Franconia.

In 1657 as a result of the Pact of Welawa and Bydgoszcz, the Hohenzollerns gained sovereignty in Prussia. The elector of Brandenburg Frederick III in 1701 announced himself the King in Prussia ('König in Preusen' in German). In 1714 this title was changed into King of Prussia ('König von Preusen' in German).

In 1740, Frederick II just after becoming the King entered Silesia with his army. He justified it with his rights to various principalities. The peace made in 1742 finished the 1st Silesian War and gave most Silesian lands under Prussian ruling. Within the borders of the Habsburgs' monarchy remained the principalities of Cieszyn, Karniów, Opava and partly of Nysa. The 2nd Silesian War (1744-1745)
and the Seven Years' War (1756-1763, named also the 3rd Silesian War) just confirmed the status quo.


French Empire and Prussia, 1811


Prussia map, 1853

As a result of further wars and annexations, in the end of 18th century the Hohenzollerns' state became one of European superpowers. In 19th century, after the victory over the Austrian and French Empire, the countries of Germany were united.