principality · Germany and Central Europe

Principality of Lippe

1789 CE – 1918 CE · capital Detmold

Small Westphalian principality at Detmold that survived as a German state into the 20th century and played a part in Hitler's rise.

Origins

The lords of Lippe held lands around Detmold and Lemgo from the 12th century, becoming counts in 1528. Though granted princely rank in 1720, they did not use the title until Count Leopold I accepted it in 1789, when the County of Lippe-Detmold became the Principality of Lippe.

Rule and society

Princess Pauline, regent from 1802 to 1820, kept Lippe independent by joining the Confederation of the Rhine and introduced social reforms, including a nursery school. Lippe was rural and Calvinist, and many men worked seasonally as brickmakers elsewhere. A disputed succession between 1895 and 1905, involving Kaiser William II's brother-in-law, was settled by arbitration in favour of the Biesterfeld line.

Decline and legacy

Lippe joined the German Empire in 1871. Prince Leopold IV abdicated in November 1918, and the state continued as the Free State of Lippe until 1947.

Lineage

County of Lippe 1123 CE – 1789 CEPrincipality of LippeFree State of Lippe 1918 CE – 1947 CE

Connections (3)

More states of Germany and Central Europe →

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

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻