The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel

# The Landgraviate of Hesse-Cassel

*De: Landgrafschaft Hessen-Kassel - Fr: Landgraviat de Hesse-Cassel*

Coat of Arms for the Landgraviate of Hesse-Cassel from 1736-1803

### Origin

Formed in 1567 By William IV following the death of his father, Phillip I and the subsequent splitting of Cassel into 4 parts.

### Present Holder

His August Majesty, King Frédéric I de Suede

### Residences

Schloss WilhelmsthalKassel StadtschlossWeissenstein Abbey

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Formation

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The **Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel** (German: *Landgrafschaft Hessen-Kassel*) or **Hesse-Cassel** was a state in the Holy Roman Empire under Imperial immediacy that came into existence when the Landgraviate of Hesse was divided in 1567 upon the death of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. His eldest son William IV inherited the northern half 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.

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Expansion

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The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel expanded in 1604 when Maurice, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, inherited the Landgraviate of Hesse-Marburg from his childless uncle, Louis IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Marburg (1537–1604).

During the Thirty Years' War, Calvinist Hesse-Kassel proved to be Sweden's most loyal German ally. Landgrave William V and, after his death in 1637, his widow Amelia of Hanau, a granddaughter of William the Silent, as regent supported the Protestant cause and the French and Swedes throughout the war and maintained an army, garrisoning many strongholds, while Hesse-Kassel itself was occupied by Imperial troops.

William V was succeeded by Landgraves William VI and William VII. Under King Frederick I of Sweden, Hesse-Kassel was in personal union with Sweden from 1730–51. But in fact the King's younger brother, Prince William, ruled in Kassel as regent until he succeeded his brother, reigning as William VIII until 1760.

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The Thirty Years War

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During the Thirty Years' War, Calvinist Hesse-Kassel proved to be Sweden's most loyal German ally. Landgrave William V and, after his death in 1637, his widow Amelia of Hanau, a granddaughter of William the Silent, as regent supported the Protestant cause and the French and Swedes throughout the war and maintained an army, garrisoning many strongholds, while Hesse-Kassel itself was occupied by Imperial troops.

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Personal Union with Sweden

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William V was succeeded by Landgraves William VI and William VII. Under King Frederick I of Sweden, Hesse-Kassel was in personal union with Sweden from 1730–51. But in fact the King's younger brother, Prince William, ruled in Kassel as regent until he succeeded his brother, reigning as William VIII until 1760.

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Hessians as Mercenaries

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Although it was a fairly widespread practice at the time to rent out troops to other princes, it was the Landgraves of Hesse-Kassel who became infamous for hiring out contingents of their army as mercenaries during the 17th and 18th centuries. Hesse-Kassel maintained 7% of its entire population under arms throughout the eighteenth century. This force served as a source of mercenaries for other European states, such as Great Britain.

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Cadet Lines

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During the 17th century, the landgraviate was internally divided for dynastic purposes, without allodial rights, into:

* the Landgraviate of Hesse-Rotenburg
* the Landgraviate of Hesse-Wanfried-(Rheinfels)
* the Landgraviate of Hesse-Philippsthal
* the Landgraviate of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld

These were reunited with the Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel when each particular branch died out without issue.