Founder of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg
Cadet Branch of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg

Philip of Schleswig-Holstein-Glücksburg was the first Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Glücksburg after the death of his father in 1622. He was the son of John II, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg and Duchess Elisabeth of Brunswick-Grubenhagen.

Early life

Philip was born on 15 March 1584 at Sønderborg Castle in the town of Sønderborg in the Duchy of Schleswig. He was the thirteenth child and seventh son of John the Younger, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg (1545-1622) and his first wife, Elisabeth of Brunswick-Grubenhagen (1550-1586).

Duke of Glücksburg

On the death of his brother Duke Christian of Schleswig-Holstein at Ærø in 1633, he inherited that island, as well as the town of Koping (Ærøskøbing), the district of Wuderup (Vodrup) and the domain of Gravenstein (Gråsten). That year, however, he ceded the last to his elder brother Frederick, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sønderburg-Norburg, who had remained landless until he inherited Norburg in 1624 upon the death of their elder brother, Duke John Adolf. Frederick, however, returned Gravenstein to Philip in 1635 or 1636. The Æerø appanage remained hereditary in Philip's branch of the dynasty until being purchased by their kinsman Frederick V of Denmark in 1749, who dissolved it as a fideicommis in 1767. Philip also purchased the domain of Freinwillen in Schleswig which he gave to his unmarried youngest (surviving) daughter Hedwig (1640-1671). In 1648, Philipp bought, from Hans von Ahlefeld, another domain called Gravenstein located, however, in the Sundeved north of the Flensburg Fjord. He did not retain that estate as part of his duchy, however, re-selling it in 1662 to Frederick von Ahlefeld.

Duke Philip died aged 79 on 27 September 1663 at Glücksburg Castle.

Marriage

On 23 May 1624, Philip married Sophie Hedwig of Saxe-Lauenburg (1601-1660), daughter of Francis II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg.