Principality of Bayreuth

The Principality of Bayreuth (German: Fürstentum Bayreuth) or Margraviate of Brandenburg-Bayreuth (Markgraftum Brandenburg-Bayreuth) was an immediate territory of the Holy Roman Empire, ruled by a Franconian branch of the Hohenzollern dynasty. Since Burgrave Frederick VI of Nuremberg was enfeoffed with the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1415/17, the Hohenzollern princes transferred the margravial title to their Franconian possessions, though the principality never had been a march. Until 1604 they used Plassenburg Castle in Kulmbach as their residence, hence their territory was officially called the Principality of Kulmbach or Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach until the Empire's dissolution in 1806.

Principality of Bayreuth/
Margraviate of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
Fürstentum Bayreuth/
Markgraftum Brandenburg-Kulmbach
1398–1791
Standard of the
House of Hohenzollern
Coat of arms
Principality of Brandenburg-Bayreuth as at 1791, when it was sold to Prussia
StatusPrincipality
CapitalKulmbach until 1604,
Bayreuth from 1604
GovernmentPrincipality
Margrave 
 1398–1420 (first)
John III, Burgrave of Nuremberg
 1769–91 (last)
Christian Frederick,
Margrave of
Brandenburg-Ansbach
Historical eraMiddle Ages
 Partitioned from Burgraviate of Nuremberg
 
21 January 1398
 Reunited with Ansbach
1420–40
 Joined Franconian Circle
1500
 Partitioned in twain
1655–1726
 Line extinct; inherited by Ansbach
 
20 January 1769
 Ansbach and Bayreuth sold to Prussia
 
2 December 1791
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Burgraviate of Nuremberg
Kingdom of Prussia
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