„Von seiner Hochheit allenthalben recommendiret wird”

Relations and career during the first years of Prince Albert of Saxony, Duke of Teschen, lieutenantgovernor of Hungary

Abstract

Based on archival material from the Hungarian Royal Court Chancellery Archive in Budapest, this study examines the extent to which the selection and advancement of offi cials were infl uenced by Prince Albert of Saxony (who became Duke of Saxe-Teschen in 1766). He was appointed by Maria Theresa, his future mother-in-law, as the lieutenantgovernor of the Kingdom of Hungary in late December 1765. From the official papers, it is possible to ascertain the reasons given for changes in personnel in the Hungarian Royal Lieutenancy Council, the primary government body (of which the Prince was the president) responsible for domestic policy in Hungary. The period under consideration is between 1765 and 1771. The influence of Prince Albert, an outsider in Hungary, was hardly discernable in the early four years. Appointments were invariably decided by the sovereign, Queen Maria Theresa. During this time, Prince Albert’s role was mostly limited to proposing individuals for non-salaried, so-called supernumerary posts or honorary councillorships. However, following the introduction of a new, more professinalised administration in 1769, the Hungarian Royal Lieutenancy Council required more experienced and qualified staff. Consequently, Prince Albert had the opportunity to advance his trusted officials who had proven their administrative efficiency. He achieved the promotion of talented secretaries to the rank of councillor, for example, even if it occasially involved unorthodox methods. The sources also show that low-paid, lowerranking officials received a pay increase, and from 1776, a special bonus. Hence, the files of the Hungarian Royal Court Chancellery clearly demonstrate that Prince Albert had an influential role in proposing candidates for administrative offices.