The Privy Council of the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg, popularly known as Hanover, was the administrative branch of the electoral (and later royal) government of Hanover. Its members were known as ministers and often controlled indirectly the other branches of the government, except the military which was always under the direct control of the elector. At least one minister was always with the elector in London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

 between the years 1714 and 1837 as the head of the German Chancery

German Chancery

The German Chancery was the official name given to the office of the Hanoverian ministry in London during the years of personal union between Great Britain and the Electorate of Hanover from 1714 until 1837...

.

Background

The Privy Council gained prominence when Georg Ludwig

George I of Great Britain

George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....

 became King of Great Britain and Ireland in 1714, leaving management of Hanover to the states via his reglement. At times, the Privy Council was very powerful, especially after the accession of Georg III, who never personally traveled to Hanover nor left a regent in his stead. After 1813, Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge was installed as Governor of Hanover (later to be promoted to Governor-General in 1816, and then Viceroy in 1831), slowly ending the relative autonomy of the Privy Council. Upon the accession of Ernst August in 1837, thereby ending the dynastic union

Dynastic union

A dynastic union is the combination by which two different states are governed by the same dynasty, while their boundaries, their laws and their interests remain distinct...

 between Great Britain and Hanover, the Privy Council returned to its pre-1714 function as an advisory council to the king.

Premiere Ministers of the Privy Council

While technically all the ministers of the council were equal in rank, a head was appointed for the purpose of calling, opening, and closing meetings. This individual, although technically equal to the other members, often became the leader of the Privy Council and would direct decisions. The title became synonymous with that of Prime Minister during the terms of some of its holders, although others wielded less power. Some of the premiere ministers include:

• Andreas Gottlieb, Count von Bernstorff
  Andreas Gottlieb von Bernstorff
  Andreas Gottlieb von Bernstorff, Baron von Bernstorff was prime minister of the electorate of Hanover from 1709 to 1714 and head of the German Chancery in London from 1714 to 1723....
  
   (1709–1714)
• Hans Caspar, Baron von Bothmer
  Hans Caspar von Bothmer
  Hans Caspar von Bothmer was a Hanoverian diplomat and politician. He is most notable for his time spent in Britain after 1701, when he served as an advisor to several British monarchs....
  
  (1727 – 1732)
• Heinrich, Baron Grote (1735 – 1753)
• Gerlach Adolph, Baron von Münchhausen (1753 – 1770)
• Levin, Baron Hake (1770–1771)