Fürst 232810 218824704 2008-06-12T09:49:24Z 91.12.127.17 /* Other uses in German */ {{about|the princely title}} {{Audio|De-Fürst.ogg|'''''Fürst'''''}} (plural ''Fürsten'') is a [[German language|German]] title of [[nobility]], usually translated into [[English language|English]] as '''[[Prince]]'''. The term refers to the head of a principality and is distinguished from the son of a monarch, which is referred to as ''Prinz''. English uses the term ''[[Prince]]'' for both concepts. ==Use of the title in German== The title ''Fürst'' (female form '''''Fürstin''''', plural ''Fürstinnen'') is used for the heads of princely houses of German origin. Unless he also holds a higher title, such as [[duke]] or [[monarch|king]], he will be known either by the formula "''Fürst [[von]]'' + [geographic origin of the dynasty]", or by the formula "''Fürst [[zu]]'' + [name of the ruled territory]". A notable exception is the Liechtenstein family, which uses the title "''...von und zu Liechtenstein''". The rank of the title-holder is not determined by the title itself, but by his degree of [[sovereignty]], the rank of his lord, or the age of the princely [[dynasty]] (note the terms ''Uradel, Briefadel, altfürstliche, neufürstliche; and see [[German nobility]]).'' The present-day rulers of the principality of [[Liechtenstein]] bear the title of ''Fürst'', and the title is also used in German when referring to the ruling princes of [[Monaco]]. The hereditary rulers of the one-time principalities of [[Bulgaria]], [[Serbia]], [[Montenegro]], and [[Albania]] were also all referred to in German as ''Fürsten'' before they eventually assumed the title of "King" (translated in German as ''König''). ==Other uses in German== ''Fürst'' is used more generally in German to refer to any [[ruler]], such as a [[monarch|King]], a [[Duke]], or a ''Fürst'' in the narrow sense. Before the [[12th century]], [[count]]s were also included in this group, in accordance with its usage in the [[Holy Roman Empire|Germany]], and in some contexts, the term ''Fürst'' can extend to any lord. The child of a ''Fürst'' in the general sense is referred to as ''Prinz'' (female ''Prinzessin''). In Mozart's opera [[The Magic Flute]], Prince Tamino refers to his father as ''Fürst'', while he is always called ''Prinz''. Also, the Three Ladies often refer to their leader, the Queen of the Night, as ''Fürstin''. In some families some or all members are styled ''Fürst''/''Fürstin'' (Wrede) or ''Herzog''/''Herzogin'' ([[Anhalt]], [[Bavaria]], [[Mecklenburg]], [[Oldenburg]], [[Saxony]], and [[Württemberg]])[http://pages.prodigy.net/ptheroff/gotha/gotha.htm]. ''Fürst'' is also a [[Germany|German]], [[Hungary|Hungarian]] and/or [[Jewish]] ([[Ashkenazi]]) surname. ==Etymology of the term== The German word derives from the [[Latin language|Latin]] word [[princeps]], which linguistically translates into English as '''the first''', hence the old Germanic roots of the word. ==Derived titles== Several titles were derived from the term ''Fürst'': *'''''Reichsfürst''''' (''Prince of the Empire'') is a ruling Prince whose territory is part of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. He was entitled to a vote, either by having a voting seat or being part of a voting unit, in the ''[[Reichstag (institution)|Reichstag]]''. A ''''Reichsfürst'' could be, in order of descending rank, the [[Monarch|King]], a [[Grand Duke]], a [[Duke]], a [[Margrave]], a [[Graf|Count]], a [[Landgrave]], a [[Reichsgraf|Count of the Empire]], a nominal Prince (''Fürst''), a [[Burgrave]], a ''[[Freiherr]]'', a nominal 'Lord' (German: ''Herr''), an [[Reichsritter|Imperial Knight]], or a [[Prince of the Church]]. *'''''Kirchenfürst''''' (''[[Prince of the Church]]'') is an ecclesiastic who holds a secular territory and princely rank, such as [[Prince-Abbot|Prince-abbots]], [[Grand Master (order)|Grand Masters]] of a military order, or [[Prince-Bishop]]s. *'''''Landesfürst''''' (''Prince of the Land'') is a princely [[Head of state]] of a ''Land'', i.e. not just a titular prince. A ''Land'' is a country (political geographical entity) with (feudal) statehood, whether sovereign or not; in a personal union{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}}, the Monarch has this capacity in each of the states, under a different title{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}}, and indeed often in chief of a different constitutional tradition{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}}, whether coordinated over time or not{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}}; thus the Habsburg Emperor of Austria had a different style as such in each [[Kronland]] ('crown land', i.e. feudal state, normally under one provincial government), the sum of which is then to be part of the full imperial style{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}} *'''''Kurfürst''''' (''[[Prince-Elector]]'') is a Prince of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] with a casting vote in the election of a [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. This made them next in rank only to the Emperor, regardless of the titles attached to their own principalities. ''Kur'', earlier spelled ''Chur'', is derived from ''kur''/''küren'', "to choose". *'''''Großfürst''''' (''[[Grand Prince]]'') is the sovereign of a grand principality with a rank higher than other sovereign princes. *'''''Fürstprimas''''' (''[[Prince-Primate]]'') is rarely used title for an archbishop presiding in an assembly of mainly secular princes. ==Origins and cognates of the title== The word ''Fürst'' designates the head (the "first") of a ruling house, or the head of a branch of such a house. The "first" originates from ancient Germanic times, when the "first" was the leader in battle. Various cognates of the word ''Fürst'' exist in other European languages (see extensive list under [[Prince]]), sometimes only used for a princely ruler. A derivative of the [[Latin]] ''[[Princeps]]'' (ironically, a [[Roman Republic|Republican]] title in Roman law, which never formally recognized a [[Roman Emperor|monarchic style for the executive head of state]] but nominally maintained the Consuls as collegial Chief magistrates) is used for a genealogical prince in some languages (e.g., [[Dutch language|Dutch]], where a ruler is usually called ''Vorst'', but a prince of the blood is always styled ''Prins''; and [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]] where ''Fursti'' is a ruler, and a blood prince is ''Prins''), while in other languages only a ''Princeps''-derived word is used for both irrespectively (e.g., [[English language|English]] uses ''prince'' for both). In any case the original (German or other) term may also be used. ==Sources and references== *[http://www.deutsche-kaiserreich.de/ German Empire] (in German- use the English and French translated versions only with due caution) *[http://www.donaumonarchie.com/ Danubian Monarchy Austria-Hungary] (in German- use the English and French translated versions only with due caution) *Westermann, ''Großer Atlas zur Weltgeschichte'' (in German) *[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Germany.html#Holy%20Roman%20Empire WorldStatesmen - here Germany (with specifics on the HREmpire); see also other present countries] *[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=F%FBrst&searchmode=none Etymology Online] [[Category:Feudalism]] [[Category:Heads of state]] [[Category:Royal titles]] [[Category:Noble titles]] [[Category:Princes| ]] [[cs:Kníže]] [[da:Fyrste]] [[de:Fürst]] [[et:Vürst]] [[es:Fürst]] [[nl:Vorst (heerser)]] [[no:Fyrste]] [[ksh:Föösch]] [[sl:Knez]] [[fi:Ruhtinas]] [[sv:Furste]] [[vo:Fürst]]