principality · Germany and Central Europe

Lordship of Werle

1234 CE – 1436 CE · capital Güstrow

Mecklenburg lordship of the Niklotid princes centred on Güstrow, who styled themselves princes of the Wends until the line died out in 1436.

Origins

In the division of Mecklenburg among the sons of Henry Borwin II in 1229, Nicholas I received the eastern lands around Güstrow and the castle of Werle. His line ruled as lords of Werle, alongside their cousins in Mecklenburg, Rostock and Parchim-Richenberg, all descended from the Obotrite prince Niklot.

Rule and society

The lords ruled a land of lakes, farmland and small towns such as Güstrow, Waren and Malchow, which grew with German settlement. They repeatedly split the territory among branches such as Werle-Güstrow and Werle-Goldberg. From the 15th century they used the title Prince of the Wends, recalling their Slavic ancestry, while their power slowly waned beside the Mecklenburg dukes.

Decline and legacy

The last lord, William of Werle, died in 1436 without a son, and his lands passed to the Duchy of Mecklenburg. The dukes adopted the title Prince of the Wends, and Güstrow later became a ducal residence.

Lineage

Lordship of Mecklenburg 1167 CE – 1348 CELordship of WerleDuchy of Mecklenburg 1348 CE – 1701 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Lordship of Werle. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/lordship-of-werle
MLA
“Lordship of Werle.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/lordship-of-werle. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Lordship of Werle.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/lordship-of-werle.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Lordship of Werle’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/lordship-of-werle (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻