Principality of Erfurt

Principality of Erfurt
Fürstentum Erfurt (German)
Principauté d'Erfurt (French)
1807–1814
Principality of Erfurt highlighted in yellow within the First French Empire (coloured in blues), shown with 1812 borders
Principality of Erfurt highlighted in yellow within the First French Empire (coloured in blues), shown with 1812 borders
The French Empire and sphere of influence in 1812.
  French Empire in 1804
  French acquisitions after 1804
  French satellite states
  French sphere of influence
StatusImperial state domain of the First French Empire
CapitalErfurt
50°59′0″N 11°2′0″E / 50.98333°N 11.03333°E / 50.98333; 11.03333
GovernmentPrincipality
Historical eraNapoleonic Wars
16 October 1806
• Principality established by Napoleonic decree
4 August 1807
27 Sept – 14 Oct 1808
16–19 October 1813
• Siege of Erfurt
28 October 1813 – 5 May 1814
Sept 1814 – June 1815
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Kingdom of Prussia
Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Province of Saxony
Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Today part ofGermany

The Principality of Erfurt (German: Fürstentum Erfurt; French: Principauté d'Erfurt) was a small state in modern Thuringia, Germany, that existed from 1807 to 1814, comprising the modern city of Erfurt and the surrounding land. It was subordinate directly to Napoleon, the Emperor of the French, rather than being a part of the Confederation of the Rhine. After nearly 3 months of siege, the city fell to Prussian, Austrian and Russian forces. Having mainly been Prussian territory before the Napoleonic Wars, most of the lands were restored to Prussia by the Congress of Vienna.