Cabinet of Three Counts

The Cabinet of Three Counts (German - Drei-Grafen-Kabinett) was an unofficial triumvirate which dominated the politics of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1702 to 1710.

It was made up of Alexander Hermann, Count of Wartensleben, August David zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein and Johann Kasimir Kolbe von Wartenberg.

It was also known as "the three Ws" or "the three Woes" of Prussia (Wartenberg, Wittgenstein, Wartensleben) reflecting their bad reputation among the population who saw them as corrupt ministers ruining the country by creating new taxes while lining their own pockets.

The king interfered little in Wartenberg's dealings who gave the post of Geheimer Rat (equivalent to Privy Councillor) to General Field Marshall Wartensleben while the Count of Wittgenstein was charged with the finances of the state.

First, Frederick had Wittgenstein arrested and incarcerated at the Spandau Citadel near Berlin with the crowd accompanying the coach that brought him there and shouting he should be hanged - he was set free again, though, after he paid a hefty fine.