Hesse-Kassel, Landgraviate of
Years: 1567 - 1803
The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel (German: Landgrafschaft Hessen-Kassel), known as Hesse-Cassel during its existence, is a state in the Holy Roman Empire directly subject to the Emperor that comes into existence when the Landgraviate of Hesse wis divided in 1567 upon the death of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse.
His eldest son William IV inherits the northern half and the capital of Kassel.
The other sons receive the Landgraviate of Hesse-Marburg, the Landgraviate of Hesse-Rheinfels and the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt.
The Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel is elevated to the Electorate of Hesse and Landgrave William IX is elevated to Imperial Elector during the reorganization of the Empire in 1803, in the midst of the Napoleonic wars, and later occupied by French troops and became part of the Kingdom of Westphalia, which is a French satellite state.