Wilhelm, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld

Wilhelm, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (; born 14 August 1933) is the current head of the branch of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, one of the two reimaing branches of the House of Hesse.

Early life and family

Wilhelm was born at Herleshausen, Germany, eldest child of Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (1905–1942), (son of Chlodwig, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld and Princess Caroline of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich) and his wife, Princess Marianne of Prussia (1913–1983), (daughter of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia and Princess Agatha of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst). Through his mother he is descendant of King Frederick William III of Prussia and King William I of the Netherlands.

Wilhelm descends from the House of Hesse branch of Hesse-Philippsthal, that was created from the branch of Hesse-Kassel at the death of William VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel in 1663, his younger son Philip was created Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal. At the death of Landgrave Philip, the branch of Hesse-Philippsthal was again divided into Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, his younger son William became the Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld. This two landgraviates were annexed by Prussia in 1866. The main branch (Hesse-Philippsthal) became extinct in the male line in 1925, thus making the Barchfeld branch the only surviving one of the Hesse-Philippsthal line.

Marriage

Wilhelm married 5 August 1961 at Friedrichshausen, Frankenberg, Hesse to Oda-Mathilde von Garmissen (born 1935), daughter of Hilmar von Garmissen, and his wife, Baroness Oda von Houwald.

They had two sons:

• Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (b. 1 January 1963), married in 2002 to Susanne von Kaufmann, had issue.
• Prince Otto of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (b. 19 January 1965), married in 1998 to Clara Blickhauser, had issue.

Patrilineal descent

Descent before Gilbert I, Count of the Maasgau is taken from 1 and may be inaccurate.

1. Brunulf I, Neustrian Nobleman, Count
2. Aubri I, Neustrian Nobleman, Count
3. Walter I, Neustrian Nobleman, Count
4. Walter II, Neustrian Nobleman, Count
5. Albo, Neustrian Nobleman, Count
6. Mainer, Count of Sens, d. 800
7. Gainfroi, Count of the Maasgau,
8. Gilbert I, Count of the Maasgau, d. 842
9. Gilbert II, Count of the Maasgau, 825–875
10. Reginar, Duke of Lorraine, 850–915
11. Reginar II, Count of Hainaut, 890–932
12. Reginar III, Count of Hainaut, 920–973
13. Lambert I, Count of Leuven, 950–1015
14. Lambert II, Count of Leuven, d. 1054
15. Henry II, Count of Leuven, 1020–1078
16. Godfrey I, Count of Leuven, 1060–1139
17. Godfrey II, Count of Leuven, 1187–1226
18. Godfrey III, Count of Leuven, 1140–1190
19. Henry I, Duke of Brabant, 1165–1235
20. Henry II, Duke of Brabant, 1207–1248
21. Henry I, Landgrave of Hesse, 1244–1308
22. Otto I, Landgrave of Hesse, 1272–1328
23. Louis the Junker, Landgrave of Hesse, 1305–1345
24. Hermann II, Landgrave of Hesse, 1341–1413
25. Louis I, Landgrave of Hesse, 1402–1458
26. Louis II, Landgrave of Hesse, 1438–1471
27. William II, Landgrave of Hesse, 1469–1509
28. Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse, 1504–1567
29. William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, 1532–1592
30. Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, 1572–1632
31. William V, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, 1602–1637
32. William VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, 1629–1663
33. Philip, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal, 1655–1721
34. William, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, 1692–1761
35. Landgrave Adolf of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, 1743–1803
36. Landgrave Karl of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, 1784–1854
37. Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, 1831–1890
38. Chlodwig, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, 1876–1954
39. Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, 1905–1942
40. Wilhelm, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, b. 1933

Notes and sources

• Genealogics - Leo van de Pas - Wilhelm, Prince & Landgraf von Hessen
• thePeerage.com - Wilhelm Landgraf von Hessen-Philippsthal-Barchfeld
• The Royal House of Stuart, London, 1969, 1971, 1976 , Addington, A. C., Reference: 299
• Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser , Reference: 1971 408

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