Generalissimo

Generalissimo (from the Italian Generalissimo, such as " General of Generals " ) is an obsolete designation for a commander in chief position. The Generalissimo was empowered to act both militarily and politically at your own risk. With the expression standing over the marshals and generals commander in chief of all armed forces of a country is called.

Albrecht von Wallenstein was the imperial instruction from June 27, 1625 " to the General about these our men by the Holy Roman Empire seconded succor ." He was thus the only Habsburg General that rank and title as sovereign commander of the Imperial Armada, as general of the generals who was also the commander-in ( including on Lieutenant General Tilly ) provided the ligistischen armies. In colloquial usage, which leads to the title of generalissimo.

In more modern times, the term Generalissimo was again as a military title of various dictators - often with a cult of personality accompanied - used.

In the Habsburg monarchy of the Generalissimo had the command of Lieutenant-General ( in the 17th century, the highest rank of general ); other than that the Generalissimo but was not under the Vienna Hofkriegsrat and was allowed to act autonomously. Was a generalissimo used, the position of Lieutenant-General remained vacant during his tenure.

Examples

*) It is unclear whether actually wore this item of Tilly and Rupert of the Palatinate.