Great Dynasties Of Europe

The great royal dynasties of Europe have evolved over some of the most turbulent centuries of both ancient epochs and modern times. The stories of these iconic and esteemed family lines are some of the most captivating tales of regal characters and family dramas that have intrigued and entertained people all around the globe. 

Here are two of the most famous and fascinating royal dynasties of Europe, along with their tales of history, tradition and royal adventure. 

The Beauharnais Dynasty

The House of Beauharnais claims a historic lineage dating back to the days of Joan of Arc in the 15th century. With roots in Brittany and Orléans, this great royal dynasty has played a pivotal role in the history of France’s noble and royal leadership for centuries. 

Arms of Dukes of Leuchtenberg of the House of Beauharnais – A.T.2014, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While this ancient royal family line can claim a wealth of history and legend, perhaps one of its most famous characters was a woman who joined the family through marriage, yet became one of the founders of a royal lineage that would encompass many European territories for generations. 

This singular female was the woman who would marry into the Beauharnais family and then go on to become the Empress of France. Her name was Marie-Josèphe-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, yet she would become known throughout the world, both during her lifetime and in the centuries since, simply as Empress Josephine.

As the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, the legendary Emperor of France, Empress Josephine was perhaps more famous for her story as the woman unable to produce an heir for France’s esteemed imperial leader. Yet by the time of her marriage to Napoleon, Josephine had already produced two children from her first marriage to the Viscount of Beauharnais. 

The two children from this marriage would become key players in the role of the Beauharnais dynasty as its power and influence spread across Europe in the centuries following their mother’s ill-fated union with the Viscount. 

A vast range of royal ranks and imperial titles would grace the House of Beauharnais as the descendants of Empress Josephine via the children of her first marriage. These included such esteemed roles as Queen of Sweden & Norway, Duchess of Leuchtenberg, Princess of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, Prince of Eichstätt, Infante of Portugal, Duke of Santa-Cruz, Empress of Brazil, Grand Duchess of Baden, and Queen of Holland. 

Her descendants would also hold the title of Emperor of France, even though her own marriage to Napoleon I was so famously childless. 

Although Empress Josephine wasn’t born into the House of Beauharnais, her rise in social stature was the undoubted catalyst of so many favourable and advantageous marriages that saw her descendants occupying some of the highest ranking regal and noble roles within the many royal and imperial courts of Europe. 

While her legend and destiny may be a result of her childless marriage to the Emperor of France, the offspring of Empress Josephine secured her place as a key founder of one of the greatest royal dynasties of Europe. 

The Habsburg Dynasty

The origin of the name Habsburg (sometimes spelt Hapsburg) dates back to Habsburg Castle, a medieval castle fortress situated in the Swiss region of Europe. The castle was built by Radbot of Klettgau, a Count (or Graf) from the early Germanic lands and he is considered to be the founder of the Habsburg dynasty. 

Profile portrait of Leopold I highlighting his “Habsburg jaw” – Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This ancient noble lineage would evolve over the centuries to occupy a much grander and more important role within the European regions. Ultimately, the name Habsburg would become synonymous with the vast Austrian Empire – one of the most powerful and legendary territories in the history of Europe. 

The House of Habsburg would rise in social and royal ranks to include many of the crowns and monarchies of Austria and the neighbouring regions. The immense wealth and political power associated with the mighty House of Habsburg were renowned throughout the world. 

Some of the great royal castles built and occupied by this esteemed regal dynasty still exist today and include such architectural gems as Schönbrunn Palace near Vienna, which is regarded as the ‘Habsburg Versailles’ and undoubtedly competes with the iconic French complex in terms of palatial grandeur and imperial scale. 

Perhaps one of the most intriguing legacies of the Habsburg dynasty was the prominence of an unusual and unique rank in the hierarchy of royal roles and noble titles – that of Archduke and Archduchess. 

Prior to the rise of the imperial Habsburg dynasty, dukes and duchesses were considered to be nobles or aristocrats, rather than official members of royalty. 

However, the Archdukes and Archduchess of the Habsburg lineage famously blurred the boundaries between royalty and nobility. Their titles may have been resonant of a class of nobility, yet their wealth, stature, power and influence were undoubtedly those of esteemed royals and imperial rulers, respected as such throughout Europe and beyond. 

With such high-ranking lineage and political reach, it’s little wonder that the House of Habsburg went on to become one of the greatest royal dynasties within the European continent. 

The history of this historic family line may have begun with the relatively humble noble rank of a Count, yet the Habsburgs would lay claim to some of the most important and powerful thrones of Europe, including such titles as Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, King of Portugal, King of Bohemia, King of Hungary, and King of the Romans. 

The stories of the great royal dynasties of Europe make for some of the most compelling narratives of the ages. From their esteemed roles in the highest echelons of society, the key players and dramas in these enduring royal lines make for a captivating history of Europe through the ages. 

While some characters may have enjoyed more of a starring role than others, the rich and varied nature of these great regal families have all played their part in establishing the royal houses of Europe, many of which continue to the present day and will likely endure for many generations to come.