This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: mcr308 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.schnell/195.6.2.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: WIKIPEDIA notes: Isenburg was a region of Germany located in southern present-day Hesse, located in territories north and south of Frankfurt. It was not until 1806 that there was a state called simply "Isenburg". When the Holy Roman Empire was defeated by Napoleon Bonaparte of France in that year, the empire was abolished and the Confederation of the Rhine was established amongst the various German states. As an incentive to join the Confederation, it was stated that any state which joined could mediatise their neighbours. Prince Charles of Isenburg-Birstein joined the Confederation and was granted the mediatized Isenburgian Countships of Isenburg-Büdingen, Isenburg-Meerholz, Isenburg-Philippseich, and Isenburg-Wächtersbach. His Principality was renamed to Isenburg. The Principality continued under the rule of Prince Charles through the Napoleonic era, but was mediatised by the Congress of Vienna for being too keen an ally of Napoleon Bonaparte. The lands of the principality were divided between the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Electorate of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel). mcr308 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.