Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1629–1698) and his Wife Sophia (1630–1714)

Ernest Augustus, the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg made clever use of the power struggle between Louis XIV and the members of the Grand Alliance. Because both sides tried to win his support he was in an advantageous bargaining position and finally achieved his goal: In return for Ernest Augustus’s support, the Emperor raised Brunswick-Lüneburg into the top tier of German states – its rulers now joined the elite circle of Electors, with Ernest Augustus becoming the first prince Elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg; his eldest son George I Louis, would later become also king of Great Britain.

Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1629–1698) and his wife Sophia (1630–1714) [detail], panel painting, 1607, probably by Adriaen Cornelisz Beeldemaker (1618–1709), photographer: Andreas Lechtape, Aufnahme-Nr. fmd447497, location of  the original: Bad Iburg, former episcopal castle and Benedictine monastery, great hall; source: © Bildarchiv Foto Marburg, http://www.bildindex.de/dokumente/html/obj20395791#|home.