Hesse-Kassel

Hesse-Kassel (Hessen-Kassel) was a German principality that came into existence when the Landgraviate of Hesse was divided in 1568 upon the death of Landgrave Philip of Hesse, when his eldest son Wilhelm IV inherited the northern portion and established his capital in Kassel.

1800s

Following the reorganization of the German states during the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss (Principal Decree of the Imperial Deputation) of 1803, the markgraviate was raised to a principality and Landgrave Wilhelm IX was elevated to Imperial Elector (Kurfürst), taking the title Wilhelm I, Elector of Hesse. The principality thus became known as Kurhessen, although still usually referred to as Hesse-Kassel. In 1806, Wilhelm I was dispossessed by Napoleon for his support of Prussia, and Kassel became the capital of a new Kingdom of Westphalia under Napoleon's brother Jérôme. The Elector was restored following Napoleon's defeat in 1813, and although the Holy Roman Empire was now defunct, Wilhelm retained his title of Elector, as it gave him pre-eminence over his cousin, the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Related Topics:
1803 - Elector - 1806 - Napoleon - Prussia - Kingdom of Westphalia - Jérôme - 1813 - Holy Roman Empire - Hesse-Darmstadt

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wilhelm's grandson, Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, sided with Austria in the Austro-Prussian War, and after the Prussian victory his lands were annexed by Prussia, which combined it with Nassau and Frankfurt-am-Main, both also annexed, into the new Prussian province of Hesse-Nassau.

Related Topics:
Austria - Austro-Prussian War - Nassau - Frankfurt-am-Main - Hesse-Nassau

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~