noun
- A German nobleman or count who ruled a fortified town or castle during the Middle Ages.
Usage: historical; archaic
Examples
- The burgrave of Nuremberg held considerable power over the surrounding region.
- Medieval burgraves often served as both military commanders and administrators of their territories.
- The title of burgrave was common in the Holy Roman Empire during the feudal period.
- A burgrave's authority typically extended over the fortified town and its immediate surroundings.