Princely Family of Liechtenstein

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The Liechtenstein dynasty, from which the Principality takes its name (rather than vice-versa), is the princely family of Liechtenstein.

The family comes from Castle Liechtenstein in Lower Austria, which the family possessed from at least 1140 to the 13th century, and from 1807 onwards. Through the centuries, the dynasty acquired vast swathes of land, predominantly in Moravia, Lower Austria, Silesia and Styria, though in all cases, these territories were held in fief under other more senior feudal lords, particularly under various lines of the Habsburg family, to whom several Liechtenstein princes served as close advisors. Thus, and without any territory held directly under the Imperial throne, the Liechtenstein dynasty was unable to meet a primary requirement to qualify for a seat in the Imperial diet, the Reichstag.

The family yearned greatly for the added power which a seat in the Imperial government would garner, and therefore searched for lands to acquire which would be unmittelbar or held without any feudal personage other than the Holy Roman Emperor himself having rights on the land. After some time, the family was able to arrange the purchase of the minuscule Herrschaft ("Lordship") of Schellenberg and county of Vaduz (in 1699 and 1712 respectively) from the Hohenems family. Tiny Schellenberg and Vaduz possessed exactly the political status required, no feudal lord other than their committal sovereign and the suzerain Emperor.

Thereby, on January 23, 1719, after purchase had been duly made, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor decreed Vaduz and Schellenberg were united, and raised to the dignity of Fürstentum (principality) with the name "Liechtenstein" in honour of "[his] true servant, Anton Florian of Liechtenstein". It is on this date that Liechtenstein became a sovereign member state of the Holy Roman Empire. Ironically, but as testament to the pure political expediency of the purchases, the Princes of Liechtenstein did not set foot in their new principality for several decades. This article shows the descendants of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein, the father of the present (2006) Head of State, Prince Hans-Adam II. According to the Constitution of the Princely House of Liechtenstein of 26 October 1993 all members other than the reigning prince shall bear the titles: Prince/Princess of Liechtenstein, Count/Countess of Rietberg.

Styles of
Princes(ses) of Liechtenstein
Reference style His/Her Serene Highness
Spoken style Your Serene Highness
Alternative style Sir/Ma'am
Valtice used to be the principal seat of the Liechtenstein family until World War II.
Valtice used to be the principal seat of the Liechtenstein family until World War II.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_Family_of_Liechtenstein"
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