BURGGRAVE

BURGGRAVE, properly denotes the hereditary governor

Burgh governor of a castle, or fortified town, chiefly in Germany. The word is compounded of bourg, town, and graf, or grave count. The burgraves were originally the same with what we otherwise call castellans, or comites castellani; but their dignity was considerably advanced under Rudolph of Hapsburgh; before his time they were ranked only as counts, and below the princes, but under him began to be esteemed on a footing with princes. In some parts, the dignity is much degenerated, especially in the palatinate. There were formerly, according to Leti, fifteen families who enjoyed the title of burgraves, thirteen of which are now extinct. But this is differently represented by others. In Bohemia the title of burgrave is given to the chief officer, or to him that commands in quality of viceroy. In Prussia, the burgrave is one of the four chief officers of the province. In Guelderland, the burgrave of Nimeguen is president of the states of the province.