Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel

The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel (German: Landgrafschaft Hessen-Kassel), spelled Hesse-Cassel during its entire existence,[lower-alpha 1] was a state in the Holy Roman Empire that was directly subject to the Emperor. The state was created in 1567 when the Landgraviate of Hesse was divided upon the death of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. His eldest son William IV inherited the northern half of the Landgraviate and the capital of Kassel. The other sons received the Landgraviate of Hesse-Marburg, the Landgraviate of Hesse-Rheinfels and the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Landgraviate of Hesse-Cassel
Landgrafschaft Hessen-Kassel
1567–1803
Flag of Hesse-Kassel
Flag
Coat of arms (1736–1804) of Hesse-Kassel
Coat of arms (1736–1804)
Hesse-Kassel within the Holy Roman Empire in 1618
Hesse-Kassel within the Holy Roman Empire in 1618
StatusLandgraviate
CapitalKassel
Common languagesGerman, Hessian
Religion
GovernmentAbsolute monarchy
Landgrave 
 1567–1592
William IV
 1730–1751
Frederick I, King of Sweden
 1751–1760
William VIII
 1760–1785
Frederick II
 1785–1803
William IX (Elector of Hesse to 1821)
History 
 Established
1567
 Raised to Electorate
1803
Population
 1775
300,000[1]
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Landgraviate of Hesse
Electorate of Hesse
Today part ofGermany

During the Napoleonic reorganisation of the Empire in 1803, the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel was elevated to an Electorate and Landgrave William IX became an Imperial Elector. Many members of the Hesse-Kassel House served in the Danish military gaining high ranks and power in the Oldenburg realm due to the fact that many Landgraves were married to Danish princesses. Members of the family who are known to have served Denmark-Norway include Prince Frederik of Hesse-Kassel, Prince Frederick of Hesse-Kassel, and Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel. It had two votes to the Reichstag: one for itself and one for Hersfeld Abbey. It was later occupied by French troops and became part of the Kingdom of Westphalia, a French satellite state. The Electorate of Hesse was restored at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, though by that time there was no longer an emperor to elect.


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