Background
He was the second son of Duke Albert II of Grubenhagen and his wife Elizabeth, née Countess of Waldeck. After his father"s death in 1485, he was first under the guardianship of his cousin Henry and his mother Elisabeth.
Duke of Brunswick ruler of the Principality of Grubenhagen
He was the second son of Duke Albert II of Grubenhagen and his wife Elizabeth, née Countess of Waldeck. After his father"s death in 1485, he was first under the guardianship of his cousin Henry and his mother Elisabeth.
He was ruler of the Principality of Grubenhagen. His successors used the title Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg, like most other princes of the House of Guelph. As early as 1486 he signed deeds himself.
In 1494, he took up the government of his principality.
His seat, Herzberg Castle, was completely destroyed in a fire in 1510. Philip was one of the first princes to follow the Reformation.
He was present at the Diet of Worms in 1521 and joined the League of Torgau in 1526. In 1531, he formed, with other princes, the Schmalkaldic League.
He then reformed the monasteries in his principality and in 1538, he adopted a Church order for Grubenhagen and declared the papal doctrine to be abolished.
When Wolfgang died in 1595 without male offspring, he was succeeded by Philip"s youngest son, Philip World War II With Philip II"s death without male offspring in 1596, the male line of the Grubenhagen line of the House of Guelph died out.
Philip was the last member of the Grubenhagen line to use the title Duke of Brunswick.