Who is a Margrave?
Q: Who is a Margrave?
A: A Margrave is a German nobleman.
Q: What was the role of a Margrave?
A: Originally, the Holy Roman Emperor would give a Markgraf an area of the borders (the Marches or German: Mark) to look after. The Margrave would have to protect the people in the area from invaders, and at the same time protect the empire.
Q: How did the Margrave rank in nobility hierarchy?
A: A Markgraf ranked higher than a graf, but lower than a duke.
Q: What was the highest honor in the Imperial Parliament of the Holy Roman Empire?
A: The Margraves of Brandenburg were made Electors of the Holy Roman Empire, which was the highest honour in the Imperial Parliament.
Q: Why did the Margraves of Brandenburg call themselves "King in Prussia"?
A: When the Margraves of Brandenburg took control of some territory outside the empire as well, there were no Kings in the Empire, so they could call themselves King in Prussia.
Q: What happened to the military importance of the Margraves?
A: As the Middle Ages ended and Europe and the Holy Roman Empire became more secure, the military importance of the Margraves became less.
Q: Were there any Markgrafs left at the end of the German Empire in 1918?
A: At the end of the German Empire in 1918, there were no Markgrafs left. All had been given higher titles, but may have kept the Markgraf title as an extra. The Kings of Prussia, for example, always kept the lower title Margraves of Brandenburg.
