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, Calenberg, Hamelen, Neufadt, Gottingen, &c.; the duchy of Grubenhagen, the county of Diepholt, the county of Ilaga, in the bishoprick of Hildefheim; the bailiwages of Coldingen, Luther, Badenburg, and Wefershoven, with the right of protection of the city of Hildefheim; and the county of Danneberg, ceded by the dukes of Wolfenbuttle to the dukes of Lunenburg, as an equivalent for their pretensions on the city of Brunswick. The elector possesses likewise the county of Delmenhorst, and the duchies of Bremen and Verden, 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 Wolfenbuttle are to enjoy the same right. This electorate has no navy, but a considerable marine on the great rivers Elbe and Weser.

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 December 1692. This new creation met with great opposition both in the electoral college and the college of princes: at last, by a conclusion of the three colleges on the 30th of January 1708, it was unanimously 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 college of princes, immediately after those of the electoral houses; each branch having a vote. The elector, besides his seat in the electoral college, was invested with the office of arch standard-bearer of the empire; but this being disputed with him by the duke of Wirtemberg, the elector Palatine having obtained the office of arch-treafuor, yielded that of arch-treafuor to the elector of Hanover, who was confirmed in this dignity by a decree of the diet of the 13th of January 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 freedom, 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 Conseil Intime, the High Court of Justice, and the Regency, are the principal courts of justice; besides which, every province has its municipal administration with the inferior divisions into bailiwicks, &c. The police is excellent, and justice fairly administered. The elector enjoys the right de non appellando in all criminal affairs, but in civil process 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 interruption to that harmony which should subsist among fellow citizens. There are 750 Lutheran parishes, 14 Reformed 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 deservedly celebrated; and contains about 800 students of different nations, and 60 professors. There are besides several colleges, and a number of well established schools, throughout the electorate. In general, education 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-Lüneburg, 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-Lüneburg Wolfenbüttel, and Brunswick-Lüneburg 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 Frederick, 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 (1812) remains.