William the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg

William the Younger
Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Prince of Lüneburg
Reign 1559–1592
Predecessor Ernest I
Successor Ernest II
Spouse(s) Dorothea of Denmark
Father Ernest I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Mother Sophia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Born (1535-07-04)4 July 1535
Died 20 August 1592(1592-08-20) (aged 57)

Wilhelm (4 July 1535 – 20 August 1592), called William the Younger (German: Wilhelm der Jüngere), was Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Prince of Lüneburg from 1559 until his death. Until 1569 he ruled together with his brother, Henry of Dannenberg.

He was the son of Ernest I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. On 12 October 1561 he married Dorothea of Denmark (29 June 1546 Kolding–6 January 1617 Winsen), daughter of Christian III of Denmark and Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg.

In 1582, William began suffering from fits of insanity. These fits caused his wife to flee him in 1584 for her own safety.

After his death, his wife became regent for their son George.

Children that reached adulthood

Ancestors

William the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Born: 4 July 1535 Died: 20 August 1592
German nobility
Preceded by
Ernest I
Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Prince of Lüneburg

1559–1592
Succeeded by
Ernest II
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