In 1650,
Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, sold his part of the Lordship of Pinneberg, which had formerly belonged to the
County of Schauenburg, to (1614–1663), royal Danish governor of
Holstein. In 1650 or 1651, Rantzau became an immediate county and state of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1726, it was annexed by the Danish rulers, after (1688-1734), had murdered his brothers and was imprisoned. Wilhelm Adolf died in 1733 and Rantzau was inherited by the
Duchy of Holstein, which was reigned by the Danish kings and its
secundogenitures. == Origin in the House of Holstein ==