William The Younger, Duke Of Brunswick-Lüneburg

William (4 July 1535 – 20 August 1592), known as William the Younger (German: Wilhelm der Jüngere), was a member of the House of Welf and held the titles of Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Prince of Lüneburg from 1559 until his death in 1592. His reign was initially shared with his brother, Henry of Dannenberg, until 1569.

William was born in 1535 into the ruling family of the Principality of Brunswick-Lüneburg. His parents were Ernest I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and Duchess Sophia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1507–1541). As the third son, William was part of a noble lineage that governed the region.

In 1582, William reportedly began experiencing fits of insanity, which adversely affected his health and personal life. These episodes led his wife, Dorothea of Denmark, to leave him in 1584 for her safety.

William married Princess Dorothea of Denmark on 12 October 1561. She was born on 29 June 1546 in Kolding and was the youngest daughter of Christian III of Denmark and Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg. Their marriage produced numerous children, including:

- Sophie of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1563–1639), who married George Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach.

- Ernest II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1564–1611), who became Prince of Lüneburg in 1592.

- Elisabeth of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1565–1621), married Frederick, Count of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

- Christian, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1566–1633), who served as Prince of Lüneburg from 1611 to 1633.

- Augustus the Elder, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1568–1636), Prince of Lüneburg from 1633 to 1636.

- Dorothea of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1570–1649), married Charles I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld.

- Clara of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1571–1658), married William, Count of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg.

- Anne Ursula of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1572–1601).

- Margaret of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1573–1643), married John Casimir, Duke of Saxe-Coburg.

- Frederick IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1574–1648), Prince of Lüneburg from 1636 to 1648.

- Marie of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1575–1610).

- Magnus of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1577–1632).

- George, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1582–1641), Prince of Calenberg from 1635 to 1641.

- John of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1583–1628).

- Sybille of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1584–1652), married Julius Ernest, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

William's death occurred on 20 August 1592 at the age of 57. He was buried alongside his wife in the St. Marien Church in Celle, Lower Saxony, Germany. Following his death, his wife Dorothea served as regent for their underage son, George, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

== Ancestry ==

[Information regarding William's genealogical background, if available, would be included here; however, specifics are not provided in the sources.]

== References ==

[No specific references are included in the provided information.]

== Sources ==

- Pastrnak, Patrik (2023). *Dynasty in Motion: Wedding Journeys in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe.* Routledge.

- Ward, A.W.; Prothero, G.W.; Leathes, Stanley, eds. (1934). *The Cambridge Modern History.* Vol. XIII. Cambridge at the University Press.