Electorate of Mainz

Prince-Archbishopric of Mainz
Kurfürstentum Mainz (German)
Electoratus Moguntinus (Latin)
780–1803
Location of the Archbishopric of Mainz, 1729
Location of the Archbishopric of Mainz, 1729
StatusState of the Holy Roman Empire
CapitalMainz
Common languagesGerman
Religion
Catholic Church
GovernmentEcclesiastical principality
Prince-elector and Archbishop 
• 754–786
Lullus (first)
• 1802–1803
Karl Theodor von Dalberg (last)
Historical era
• Gained territory, elevated to archbishopric
780
983
1251
• Mainz made Free City
1242–1462
18 March – 23 July 1793
17 October 1797
1803
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Duchy of Franconia
Mont-Tonnerre
Principality of Aschaffenburg
Grand Duchy of Hesse
Duchy of Nassau
Kingdom of Prussia
Today part ofGermany

The Electorate of Mainz (German: Kurfürstentum Mainz or Kurmainz; Latin: Electoratus Moguntinus), previously known in English as Mentz and by its French name Mayence, was one of the most prestigious and influential states of the Holy Roman Empire. In the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz was also the Primate of Germany (primas Germaniae), a purely honorary dignity that was unsuccessfully claimed from time to time by other archbishops. There were only two other ecclesiastical Prince-electors in the Empire: the Electorate of Cologne and the Electorate of Trier.

The Archbishop-Elector of Mainz was also archchancellor of Germany (one of the three component titular kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire, the other two being Italy and Burgundy) and, as such, ranked first among all ecclesiastical and secular princes of the Empire, and was second only to the Emperor. His political role, particularly as an intermediary between the Estates of the Empire and the Emperor, was considerable.[1]

  1. ^ Lafage, p. 69