Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Who was Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg?

Julius of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, was prince of Wolfenbüttel from 1568 until his death.

Julius was born and died in Wolfenbüttel. The youngest son of Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, he was expected to pursue a clerical career. He studied at Leuven University, and was appointed bishop of Minden in 1553, but resigned after only a year. After both of his brothers died in the Battle of Sievershausen of 1553, he became heir to the principality. All plans of his father's to exclude him from the line of succession failed, even though Julius had converted to Protestantism. After his father's death in 1568, Julius instituted a tax reform that improved the rights of farmers in relation to noblemen. He also founded a militia — every head of household was required to own a weapon and participate in military training — and reformed the court system. Julius entered into an agreement with the City of Brunswick in 1569, in which the city recognized his overlordship; however, the conflict between Duchy and City continued nonetheless.

Julius promoted trade and especially mining. Copper and lead mining in the Harz flourished, and many new mines were opened. Julius himself wrote a book about the uses of marl. To enable the sale of mining products, Julius invested into the improvements of roads and rivers. In 1577 the Oker was made navigable between the Harz and Wolfenbüttel. In 1576, Julius founded the first university of the state, the University of Helmstedt. The university was intended to train Protestant clergy for the newly reformed state.