Johann I von Braunschweig-Lüneburg, Herzog

John of Lüneburg (c. 1242 – 13 December 1277) was a German duke. He and his brother Albert were jointly the second Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg until the partition of the duchy, and John was the first ruler of the newly-created Principality of Lüneburg.

Life

John's father, Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, was the first Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. After his death in 1252, John ruled the duchy jointly with his elder brother Albert. As the brothers could not agree on how to govern the duchy, in 1267 they decided to divide their possession. In 1269 John received the right to choose his part. He chose the part containing the cities of Lüneburg and Hanover, forming the Principality of Lüneburg.

John founded the First (or Elder) House of Lüneburg. He was buried in the cloister of St. Michaelis in Lüneburg.

Family and children

In 1265 John married Liutgard of Holstein (d. after 28 February 1289), daughter of Count Gerhard I of Holstein-Itzehoe, and had five children:

Duke Otto II of Lüneburg (d. 9 April 1330)

Matilde (d. after 1308), married in 1291 to Henry I, Prince of Mecklenburg-Güstrow

Elisabeth (d. 1294/1298), married to Count John II of Oldenburg

Agnes, married c. 1283 to Werner I von Hadmersleben

Helene, married in 1315 to Count Conrad III of Wernigerode

His illegitimate son, Heinrich von Braunschweig (d. 23 August 1324), was a canon in Walsrode.