!!!Fürst, Bezeichnung von Hochadeligen

Prince (Fuerst), term for high-ranking nobility who were especially 
close to the king. The title of Imperial Prince, who ruled within his 
territory, has existed since the 13%%sup th/%  century. Imperial 
Princes had both a seat and a vote in the Reichsrat (Imperial Diet). 
The emperor bestowed the title of Imperial Princes on Austrian 
families until 1806 in order to promote the spread of Catholicism 
(Schwarzenberg, Liechtenstein, Auersperg families etc.), later the 
emperor bestowed the title of Prince on worthy individuals 
(Metternich). Only the oldest person in the family was entitled to 
carry the title. Prince-Bishops were bishops with the rights of 
dominion and sovereignty (Salzburg, Brixen/Bressanone, Trento). The 
title Prince, like all titles of nobility, was abolished in Austria in 
1919.


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