Saxe-Lauenburg

Saxe-Lauenburg was a former duchy in northern Germany, located south of Lübeck and bordered by Holstein and Mecklenburg. It was part of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein after 1946.1

The Ascanian dynasty ruled Lauenburg from the 13th century. It later became attached to Hanover in 1728. Following the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815, it was awarded to Prussia, then granted to Denmark. After the Danish-Prussian War in 1864, it returned to Prussia, and its king became duke. Lauenburg was integrated into Prussia's Schleswig-Holstein in 1876 and the duchy was abolished in 1918.1

Historically, "Saxony" referred to a larger region in northern Germany. After 1180, the name was applied to smaller territories, including Saxe-Lauenburg and Saxe-Wittenberg. The duchy of Saxony was an imperial electorate from the mid-13th century.2