Organization and Officeholders, c.1650–1764

This chapter introduces the organization of the Lower Austrian Estates including the main assemblies and officeholders. The Estates’ presiding officer was the ruler-appointed Landmarschall, who was always drawn from the Estate of lords. The Estate of knights provided the Landuntermarschall. The Estates met and conducted business in differing combinations in a variety of assembles: the annual diet; the “three upper Estates” of prelates, lords, and knights; and three standing committees. One of these committees, the college of Deputies, constituted the Estates’ directorial panel, which was also a key administrative conduit between central power and the localities. Aristocrats and great abbots dominated, but did not monopolize, these bodies.