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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Electress

Electress \E*lect"ress\ ([-e]*l[e^]k"tr[e^]s), n. [Cf. F. The wife or widow of an elector in the old German empire.
--Burke.

Wikipedia
Electress

An Electress (, ) was the consort of a Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, one of the Empire's greatest princes.

The Golden Bull of 1356 established by Emperor Charles IV settled the number of Electors at seven. However, three of these were Roman Catholic archbishops, and so had no formal consorts; while of the four secular Electors, one was King of Bohemia, and his consort was always known by the more prestigious title of " Queen of Bohemia". The consorts usually referred to as Electresses, therefore, were:

  • The Electress of the Palatinate, or Electress Palatine;
  • The Electress of Saxony;
  • The Electress of Brandenburg.

To these were added, in 1623 and 1692 respectively:

  • The Electress of Bavaria;
  • The Electress of Hanover.

In the final years of the Empire, several Electors were added, who however only held their offices for less than three years before the Empire's final dissolution. The consorts of these last Electors were:

  • The Electress of Württemberg;
  • The Electress of Hesse-Kassel.

There was also an Elector of Baden, but the only ruler to use this title was married morganatically and so his spouse did not share his title.

The rulers of Hesse-Kassel continued to use the title of "Elector" until the annexation of the principality by Prussia in 1866.

Persons using or entitled to use the title of "Electress" are listed below. Spouses of Electors in morganatic or unequal marriages are given in a separate table at the bottom of the page.

Usage examples of "electress".

The third day after my arrival I had to call on the Dowager Electress of Saxony.

On the death of the monarch he had been placed at the head of the opera-buffa by the dowager electress, who was passionately fond of music.

The Electress noticed a portrait of the queen, and spoke very highly of her, mentioning some circumstances which must have taken place in the reign of Ferdinand VI.

He placed a magnificent collation before the Electress, and sang a song of his own composition, accompanying himself on the piano.

The act of settlement being passed, the earl of Macclesfield was sent to notify the transaction to the electress Sophia, who likewise received from his hands the order of the garter.

The Dowager Electress mortified me extremely by the way she addressed me on my last two visits to her.

On the death of the monarch he had been placed at the head of the opera-buffa by the dowager electress, who was passionately fond of music.

The Electress noticed a portrait of the queen, and spoke very highly of her, mentioning some circumstances which must have taken place in the reign of Ferdinand VI.

I had no reason to repent of my politeness in going, as the Electress gave me a good reception, and made me talk to any extent.

He came with a safe-conduct which the Dowager Electress of Saxony obtained for him from the Holy Father.

CHAPTER XIX Farinello and the Electress Dowager of Saxony--Madame Slopitz--Nina-- The Midwife--Madame Soavi--Abbe Bolini--Madame Viscioletta-- The Seamstress--The Sorry Pleasure of Revenge--Severini Goes to Naples --My Departure--Marquis Mosca Anyone who attacks a proud person in a comic vein is almost sure of success.

He placed a magnificent collation before the Electress, and sang a song of his own composition, accompanying himself on the piano.