Holstein

Holstein, former duchy, N central Germany, the part of Schleswig-Holstein S of the Eider River. Kiel and Rendsburg were the chief cities. For a description of Holstein and for its history after 1814, see Schleswig-Holstein. For a time part of the duchy of Saxony, Holstein was created (1111) a county of the Holy Roman Empire and was bestowed on Adolf of Schauenburg. In 1459, Holstein's Christian I, a Danish heir to the throne, established a personal union with Denmark, to the great displeasure of the German majority. In 1474, Emperor Frederick III raised Holstein to a duchy under the immediate suzerainty of the Holy Roman Empire (as distinct from Schleswig, which was outside the imperial jurisdiction).

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Holstein

 or Holstein-Friesian

Breed of large dairy cattle that originated in northern Holland and Friesland. Its chief characteristics are its large size and black-and-white-spotted markings, sharply defined rather than blended. Probably selected for their dairy qualities c. 2,000 years ago, they have long been distributed over the fertile lowlands of continental Europe. In the U.S., Holsteins outnumber all other dairy breeds and produce 90% of the milk supply. Their milk has a relatively low butterfat content.