Noble family House of Guelph Mother Metta von Campen | Name Otto Duke | |
Spouse(s) Margaret of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg
Hedwig of East Frisia Father Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg-Harburg Born 25 September 1528
Celle ( 1528-09-25 ) Died 26 October 1603(1603-10-26) (aged 75)
Harburg | ||
Otto II of Brunswick-Harburg, nicknamed the Younger, or the Famous (25 September 1528, in Celle – 26 October 1603, in Harburg) was from 1549 until his death of Duke of Brunswick-Harburg.
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Life
Otto was the eldest son of the Duke Otto I of Brunswick-Harburg (1495–1549) from his marriage to Metta von Campen (died 1580). Otto received a princely education.
The House of Brunswick-Lüneburg did not recognize Otto's right to inherit his father's lordship on the grounds that the marriage between his parents had been morganatic. Supported by Emperor Ferdinand I, Otto repeatedly renewed his demands and in 1560, he was finally confirmed as his father's successor as ruler of the Lordship of Harburg. His territory was even extended with neighbouring Moisburg.
Otto continued his father's construction project at Harburg Castle and transformed it into a princely residence. He moved in permanently in 1551. In 1560, he began developing the castle chapel. To finance his activities, he raised taxes and levied special taxes, which led to dissatisfaction. From 1561 to 1577, the population of his territory shrank, due to the plague. Otto did not allow Jews and Christians of other denominations to settle in his country.
He built a salt magazine, in order to promote the salt trade with Lüneburg. This, however, did not enjoy the success he had expected.
Marriages and issue
On 8 September 1551, Otto married his first wife, Margaret (1530–1559), daughter of Count John Henry of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg. She died in childbirth on 16 March 1559. They had the following children:
Afterwards, Otto married on 8 October 1562 with his second wife, Hedwig (1535–1616), daughter of Count Enno II of East Frisia, with whom he had the following children: