HANOVER, an electoral state of Germany, of
which the king of Great Britain is elector.—Though
the house of Hanover is the last that has been raised
to the electoral dignity in the empire, it may vie with
any in Germany for the antiquity and nobleness of its
family. It is likewise very considerable for the extent
of its territories, which at present are, The duchy of
Calenberg, in which are the cities of Hanover, Calen-
berg, Hamelen, Neustadt, Gottingen, &c.; the duchy
of Grubenhausen, the county of Diepholt, the county
of Hoga, in the bishoprick of Hildesheim; the baili-
ages of Coldingen, Luther, Badenburg, and Wester-
thoven, with the right of protection of the city of
Hildesheim; and the county of Dannenberg, ceded by
the dukes of Wolfenbuttel to the dukes of Lunenburg,
as an equivalent for their pretensions on the city of
Brunswic. The elector possesses likewise the county Hanover.
of Delmenhorst, and the duchies of Bremen and Ver-
den, sold by the king of Denmark in 1715: the right
of possessing alternately the bishopric of Osnabruck
belongs solely to the electoral branch; but if it shall
happen to fail, the dukes of Wolfenbuttel are to enjoy
the same right. This electorate has no navy, but a
considerable marine on the great rivers Elbe and We-
ser.
In consideration of the great services performed by
Ernest Augustus, duke of Brunswic-Hanover, in the
wars which the emperor Leopold had with Louis XIV.
that emperor conferred the dignity of an elector of the
holy Roman empire upon him and his heirs male, of
which he received the investiture on the 19th of De-
cember 1692. This new creation met with great
opposition both in the electoral college and the col-
lege of princes: at last, by a conclusion of the three
colleges on the 30th of January 1708, it was unani-
mously determined, that the electoral dignity should be
confirmed to the duke of Hanover and his heirs male;
but it was added, that if, while that electoral dignity
subsisted, the Palatine electorate should happen to fall
into the hands of a Protestant prince, the first Catholic
elector should have a supernumerary vote.
The princes of this house have their seat in the col-
lege of princes, immediately after those of the elec-
toral houses; each branch having a vote. The elec-
tor, besides his seat in the electoral college, was invest-
ed with the office of arch standard-bearer of the em-
pire; but this being disputed with him by the duke of
Wirtemberg, the elector Palatine having obtained the
office of arch-steward, yielded that of arch-treasurer
to the elector of Hanover, who was confirmed in this
dignity by a decree of the diet of the 13th of Janu-
ary 1710.
The sovereign power is administered by the lords of
the regency appointed by the elector. Throughout all
the provinces they possess a considerable share of free-
dom, the people being represented in the assemblies of
the states. No government can be more mild; and an
air of content is spread over all the inhabitants. The
Council Intime, the High Court of Justice, and the
Regency, are the principal courts of justice; besides
which, every province has its municipal administra-
tion with the inferior divisions into bailiwics, &c.
The police is excellent, and justice fairly administered.
The elector enjoys the right de non appellando in all cri-
minal affairs, but in civil processes only as far as 2000
florins.
Lutheranism is the established religion; but all others
enjoy a perfect toleration, and are publicly exercised.
Difference in religious sentiments here gives no inter-
ruption to that harmony which should subsist among fel-
low citizens. There are 750 Lutheran parishes, 14 Re-
formed communities, a Romish college, a convent, and
some Catholic churches.
Literature is in a very advanced state throughout
these dominions. The university of Gottingen is de-
servedly celebrated; and contains about 800 students
of different nations, and 60 professors. There are be-
sides several colleges, and a number of well established
schools, throughout the electorate. In general, edu-
cation is much attended to.
Although there are various tracts of heath and
marshy
marshy ground, the soil in general produces abundance of corn, fruits, hemp, flax, tobacco, madder, and some wine. There are several large salt-works. A good deal of cattle are reared, and a great number of excellent horses. Most metals and minerals are found here. The forests furnish sufficient timber, and large quantities of pitch and tar. The natural productions of the electorate furnish ample materials for commerce, so as to prevent the balance being against them, although their manufactures are not sufficient for consumption. Cattle, horses, salt, wrought iron, and fuel, are principal articles of export. Bremen is one of the greatest commercial towns in Germany.
The elector of Hanover is descended from the ancient family of the Guelphs, dukes and electors of Bavaria; one of whom, Henry the Lion, in 1140, married Maude, eldest daughter of King Henry (Plantagenet) II. of England. Their son William succeeded to Brunswick-Lunenburg, and his son Otho was created duke thereof. The dominions descended in a direct line to Ernest who divided them upon his death in 1546 into two branches, that of Brunswick-Lunenburg Wolfenbutter, and Brunswick-Lunenburg Zell. The possessor of the latter, Ernest Augustus, was in 1692 raised to the dignity of an elector; before which he was head of the college of German princes. Ernest married Sophia, daughter of Frederic elector Palatine and king of Bohemia, by Elizabeth, daughter of James I. king of England. Sophia being the next Protestant heir to the house of Stuart, the parliament fixed the crown of Great Britain upon her on Queen Anne's demise; and George Louis her elder son became king of Great Britain in consequence thereof; since which the electors of Hanover have filled the British throne.
HANOVER is also the name of the capital of the above electorate; and is agreeably situated in a sandy plain on the river Leyne, in E. Long. 10. 5. N. Lat. 52. 5. It is a large well-built town, and pretty well fortified. It has suffered greatly by the French, who got possession of it in 1757, but were soon after driven out. It is noted for a particular kind of beer, reckoned excellent in these parts. This city was the residence of the elector before he ascended the throne of Great Britain.
In 1803, when the war between Britain and France broke out, this capital, as well as the electorate, was seized by the French, and afterwards given up to Prussia, in whose possession it now (1806) remains.