(1813-1871: Reuß jüngere Linie)
The Principality of Reuss Junior Line, (sometimes called Reuss Gera) a small German state in Thuringia since 1673, was a member state of the German Confederation from 1815 to 1866. The principality remained neutral during the Austro-Prussian war. Later it became a member state of the North German Confederation in 1867. The Reuss military became a contingent of the Prussian army on 26 June 1867. It became a member state of the German Empire in 1871.
The princely family of Reuss had the unique custom of naming all its male members Heinrich, in honor of the Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich VI, from whom they received their lands in the 13th century. A complicated system of numbering was developed into two different forms: the Elder line followed a sequence from 1 to 100 and then returned to 1; the Younger line numbered the first Heinrich to be born in the century as number 1 and followed the sequence until the end of the century, then began again with the new century. There were several notable family members. Augusta Reuss, daughter of Heinrich XXIV was grandmother to both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. She was also grandmother to Empress Carlota of Mexico and Leopold II of Belgium. Heinrich XXVII ruled the principality until he abdicated in 1918. He was married to
Princess Elise of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
The form of government was a hereditary constitutional monarchy. There was one chamber in parliament known as the Landtag. The 16 members of the Landtag had 12 members, who were elected by all taxpayers; three by the highest paying taxpayers; and one appointed by the Prince.
The population was 157,000 of whom 95 percent was Protestant in 1914. The principality was 827 km². Its capital was Gera. The soldiers were concentrated among other small states in 7. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 96 of the Prussian army.