Gubernium (Latin, governorship, regency)

It was set up in 1673 by King Leopold I (1657-1705) to govern the country during his strict, absolute reign after the Wesselényi plot. At the head of the advisory body he appointed count Johann Kaspar Amprigen, the great master of the German Order of Knighthood, as governor. He was responsible for the domestic life of the country. This experiment, however, was not successful as the orders, the nobility and the castle districts refused measures taken by the Gubernium - whenever they could. After a couple of years Amperigen abdicated himself.

PG