When Kobzl entered the Conference Hall, he felt considerably more at ease.
Weimar had contributed both troops and money in the previous war against France, making it one of the more steadfast members of the "Vienna Faction." If Weimar were granted an electoral title, then at least four votes in the Imperial Parliament would belong to His Majesty the Emperor from then on.
Once all the Prince-Electors' representatives had arrived, Archbishop Frederick Karl, who was presiding over the meeting, first delivered the customary ceremonial opening remarks before getting straight to the point:
"Due to certain unfortunate circumstances, the Prince-Elector of Hanover is no longer able to fulfill his duties..."
After droning through a heap of formalities, he produced a letter. "His Majesty the Emperor wishes to abolish this electoral seat..." Prussia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Herzberg, immediately rose to his feet. "That does not accord with precedent."
He glanced at Kobzl and declared loudly, "I propose that the Duke of Hesse inherit the electoral qualification. This derives from His Majesty Ludwig X's grandmother."
He rattled off several names in succession, successfully tying Ludwig X and the Hanoverian royal family together by blood. Well, after centuries of intermarriage, the royal houses of all the German States were related to one another anyway.
Kobzl cut in bluntly. "If someone must inherit the Prince-Elector of Hanover's qualification, then it should be the Count of Weimar." He added, "This is also His Majesty the Emperor's view."
Archbishop Karl waited until both he and Herzberg had returned to their seats before nodding. "Very well. Then, in accordance with His Majesty the Emperor's wishes, we shall first vote on granting the Count of Weimar an electoral qualification.
"Who supports this decision?"
Kobzl raised his hand without the slightest hesitation, casting a somewhat smug sidelong glance at