FIrst wee are to note, that in the time of Charlemaigne and for a certaine season af­ter his time, the ordaining & election of the Emperor consisted and was in the full power of any Emperor reigning, to chose for his suc­cessor one whome he thought good: so, as his Maiestie choosing one, the Princes of the Empire did therto forthwith agree to such his election. And (for the most parte) was elected still by the father his sonne, or els the next kinsmā that he had: & to such a one as the Em­pire was discended by inheritāce vnto, the princes did neuer gainsay vnles by chance the Emperor elected such a one as was not meet for such a charge & dignitie. And this order endured vntil An. Do. 993. After the death of Otho the second of that name, the Romaines en­deuoured to bring againe the Empyre from straunge Nations vnto themselues, and to cause that this dignitie might be and abide in their power: and their desire was, that the Emperor should be cho­sen either of the order of Senators or of some Italian princes stocke and linage, such a one as were fit for and worthy of such an office [Page] and dignitie. For thus they esteemed it lawfull for them to doe, as in times past the Emperor was accustomed, and was of dutie to bee chosen in Rome by the Senate, or els out of Rome by the army of Romaines. And if (happily) it fel so out, that the Emperor were sud­dainly killed either in Rome, or out of the Cittie, in such a case it was lawful for the souldiers and gentlemen to choose a new Romain Emperor or Captain generall to be their guyde and Gouernour, and to rule as principall in the common-weale. This ancient manner of electing Emperor did the Romaines pretend to seeke for to haue re­stored at that time when Emperor Otho the second dyed. But the Germaines which had alreadye possessed the imperiall dignitie no small time, did not giue them selues to sleeping when they sawe matters goe thus: but they making hast for an election, chose Otho the third, the sonne of Otho the second: who presently was obeyed as Emperor, and so acknowledged of euerie body: and by this mean the intent of the Romaines was frustrate and of none effect. It hap­ned also at that very instant that pope Iohn dyed, and the Emperour Otho so befreended a Cosin of his in the election, that he was chosē pope and was called pope Gregorie the fift: which thing did excee­dingly vex and displease the Romaines: they therfore so outraged & troubled the said pope Gregorie, that he was forced to forsake Rome and to get him againe into Germany to the Emperor: during whose absence the Romanes and other of the Consistorie elected for pope an other named Iohn the ninth, the bishop of Placentia. For which deed the Emperor was so wrathfully displeased, that hauing gathe­red togither a very puissant army, he passed into Italy, there he besie­ged Rome & conquered it, imprisoned the new pope, and caused his eyes to be digged out, and placed his cosin Gregorie the fift in his see againe. At whose restoring to the popedome, the Emperour moreo­uer ordeined, that from that time foorth it should be established as a law, that the election of the romane Emperor should be only in the power of the Princes of Germany, & whosoeuer should be elected by them, he should forthwith be allowed, holden and obeied as king of Romanes and Emperor, & that he should presently after be crow­ned by the pope, and proclaimed Caesar Augustus. But before that Otho published this decree, he assembled togither a generall coun­cel [Page] in Germany, whether came all the Princes & potentates of Ger­many, to whome the Emperor propounded as followeth.

For as much as heretofore there haue hapned diuers inconueniences and controuersies in the election of the Emperor, to the hinderance and annoying of Germanie with continuall warres, which by such occasions haue hapened, the which euils may breed to cause a disagreeing and vtter destruction of the Empire in Germanie: For, the father hath heretofore beene carefull to pre­ferre vnto the Empire after him, his sonne or neere kinsman, rather then to appoint thereto a man fit and worthy of such a charge and calling. For reme­dying of which inconuenience and danger to the state, it seemed vnto his Maiestie a thing expedient and profitable, that among the princes there should be chosen certaine, which for time to come should alwayes haue full power to choose him that should be Emperor: to which election of theirs, it should be ordained that euerybody of dutie should be bound foorthwith to agree & consent. And how much lesse the number of these electors should be, so much the more easily & without controuersie they should agree in the e­lection. It seemed also to his Maiestie a matter reasonable, that such persons as should haue the choise of the Emperor, should be chosen from among the chiefe officers of the Empire, forasmuch as they (by reason of the daily busi­nes and affaires they vsed to haue about matters of the Empire) were men very meete & best experienced to know what belonged to the Empire, the state thereof, and what manner of man he had need to be, that should to that place & authoritie be elected: so that iustice might the better be administred, the Imperial state better vpholden, & the commonweale better prouided for.

When this sacred and profitable counsaile and opinion of the Em­perors maiestie was propounded, immediatly the Princes and poten­tates of the Empyre concluded, according as his maiestie had sayde, with one consent and opinion. And in conclusion it was ordained that onlye seuen persons should haue their voices and full power to choose the Emperour, namely, the three great Chauncellors of the Empire in the country of Germany: that is the Archbishop of Mentz great Chācelor of Germany, the Archbishop of Treuers great Chan­cellor of the prouinces beyond Rheine called the Low countries: the Archbishop of Collen great Chauncellor of Italie: and these are the ecclesiasticall persons that be Electors. There were appointed with these, the Count Palatine of Rheine, great Steward of the Empire, the [Page] Duke of Saxonie great Marshall of the Empyre: the Marquesse of Brandenburg great Chamberlaine of the Empire: the King of Bohe­mia thē but Duke, great Secretarie of the Empyre: & this King was not in those dayes annointed and crowned as King, but had only the title of Duke. And these were the other foure Electors, the Duke of Bohemia being put in after when a controuersie had risen about the election, and could not be decyded by reason of the equalitie of number, three holding one way, and three another way, he was ad­ded to make alwaies the one side greater. This decree was made in the yeere of our Lord 1001. and the first Emperor that was elected by the seuen Electors was Henry, that was canonized for a saint, being the first founder of the Bishoprick of Bamberg. There was also in the said councel or parlament established many other lawes for cer­taine men appointed Officers to the Empyre, and lands therto allot­ted, as next vnto the seuen Electors were ordained foure Dukes of the Empyre, foure Earles of Prouinces called Lant-graues, foure Marquesses, foure Burgraues, foure Earles martiall, foure Counties, foure citties, foure Marshalls, foure free Barons, foure knights, foure Townes, foure Country-farmers, foure Casals, foure Lords in Ita­ly, foure Abbeies the Abots of which were Princes, foure Mounts, foure Burrough Townes, foure Hunts-men, foure Officers of the Dukedome of Sweuia, foure seruants of the Empyre. Yet these or­dinaunces of the Empyre haue many times changed, and some order haue since beene added and some taken away, according as time and opportunitie required, and there haue beene added more Earle­domes & Earles & also Dukedomes & other dignities: and of Earle­domes haue beene made Dukedomes: and againe, of Dukedomes Earledomes. Moreouer the names of many Dukedomes haue beene lost by reason of men that possessed them dying without heires, as hath come to passe by the Dukedome of Sweuia, the Duke­dome of Impurg, the Dukedome of Zaring, and the Dukedome of Iioytland.

Within three hundred yeares, these Potentates heerafter named haue been instituted and established according to their degrees and dignities in their Offices, as an ornament of the Empyre.

• [Page]Dukes 4.
  • Branswich.
  • Bauier.
  • Sweuia.
  • Orhue.
• Lantgraues 4.
  • Thuring.
  • Hessia.
  • Liehtenberg,
  • [...]allasia.
• Marquesses 4,
  • Misnia,
  • Morania,
  • Badense,
  • Brandenburgh,
• Burgraues 4
  • Mardenburg,
  • Renech.
  • Norimberg.
  • [...]tronburg,
• Earles 4
  • Cleue.
  • Squarcemburg.
  • Goricia.
  • Souoya.
• Counts martiall 4
  • Flaunders.
  • Tyroll.
  • Aldenburg,
  • Ferrethi,
• Marshalls 4
  • Bappenheim,
  • Gulch,
  • Meisen,
  • Frustingen,
• Free Barons 4
  • Limpurg,
  • Thusuis,
  • Westerburg.
  • Aldenvalden,
• Knightes 4
  • Audlay.
  • Meldingen.
  • Strondech,
  • Fronsberg,
• Free Cittie 4,
  • Augusta.
  • Aquisgraue.
  • Maets.
  • Lubech,
• Townes 4,
  • Bamberg.
  • Vlme,
  • Haghnaun,
  • Sheltzstat,
• Farmers or Peasants. 4
  • Collen.
  • R [...]tisbone.
  • Constance.
  • Saltzpur,
• Casals. 4
  • Ingelheim,
  • Altdorf,
  • Lietchtenanu.
  • Dechendorf,
• Lords of Italy 4,
  • Millain.
  • Scala.
  • Padoua,
  • Mirandola.
• Abbats Princes 4
  • Fulda.
  • Campidonia,
  • Maidenburgen.
  • Murbach.
• Mountes 4
  • Munsterberg,
  • Fridberg of Ver­danu
  • Heidelberg,
  • Norinberg,
• Burghes of the Empyre 4
  • Aldenburgh.
  • Maidenburg
  • Rottenberg.
  • Mechelburg,
• Hunters of the Empy [...]e 4
  • Hurne,
  • Vrach,
  • Sconburg,
  • Metz by Chura,
• [Page]Officers of the Duke of Sweuia. 4
  • Steward of wal­purg.
  • Secretarie of Rha­dach.
  • Marshal of March dorf.
  • Chamberlaine of Cenuat.
• Seruants of the Empire 4
  • Waldech.
  • Pulchen.
  • Arnsperg.
  • Rabnaun.

It is to be vnderstood, that after the death of Charlemaigne, Ger­manie increased wonderfully in buildings, Citties, Castles, Fortes, Townes and Villages, so that woods and desert places being made plaine and tylled, were brought to be both pleasant and profitable to the vse of men: men also multiplying there exceedinglye. And the said Charles and other Emperours after him, for the beautifying of Germanie, priuileged the chiefe Citties with Bishoprickes, and gaue them great revennues and possessions, and made them princes and feodataries of the Empire. Furthermore the Emperors made by succession many princes in Germanie, and deuided the Land among them, according to the place and deserts of euery one in regarde of the Empire: but alwayes it was reserued, that the Citties Imperiall should be free from all Taxes to be due vnto any other princes, or seruice to any, but they were alwayes reserued in libertye and in the Emperors hands: and for more securitye, the Emperors priuileged them and made them free with many priuileges according to their Customes: so as those priuileged Citties were not only called Cit­ties of the Empire, but free and great franchised Citties, meaning thereby, that they were in obedience to the Empire of Rome, and in the societie thereof. And by example of these free Lands & places, Ecclesiasticall princes & other seculer Lords, began more and more to make and inlarge Citties, Castles and many worthie buildings, in such sort, that in short time, they exceeded in beautifying, in ciuill gouernment, in faire shew, riches and strength, any whatsoeuer free Citties of the Empire.

• [Page]Magunce.
• Treuers.
• Collen.
• Salzpurg.
• Herbipolis.
• Bamberg.
• Lutich.
• Vormatia.
• Spire.
• Argentine.
• Churie.
• Auguste.
• Trent.
• Brissinon.
• Breme.
• Bissanzon.
• Rhige.
• Eystet.
• Constance.
• Hildesnuense
• Ratzenburg.
• Freizing.
• Ossenburg,
• Munster.
• Ratisbone.
• Patauia.
• Basile.

Also the great Maister of Prussia of the dutch order, the Abbots of Fulda, of Hirfeild, of Murbach, of Campidonias, of Maidenburg, and other.

• Aquisgraue,
• Alen,
• * Antwerp.
• Augusta,
• * Basile a canton of Switzers.
• * Berne a canton of Switzers.
• * Bernehein.
• Biberach.
• * Bisanzon.
• * Bon Perch,
• Buchorne
• Bopfingen.
• Campein,
• * Chura vnder the Grisons.
• Collen.
• Colmarie.
• * Canstance.
• * Deuenter.
• Doctinured.
• Dinchen spisel.
• * Durche.
• Durcheim.
• Eger.
• Esford.
• Esling.
• Francford Menofin.
• [Page]Francford Oderafni.
• Fridberg in Werdan.
• * Friburg in Brisgone.
• Chelu Husen.
• Genge.
• Gotting in Saxonie.
• * Groining in Friseland.
• Gniunde.
• Goslarie in Saxonie.
• Hagenowe.
• Halla in Sweuia.
• Halla in Saxonie.
• Ha [...]lprune.
• Hamborow.
• Heidesfert.
• Isna.
• * Ingelheim in the Countie palatine.
• Kamffpeiren.
• Kaysersperg.
• * Kaysers lanterne in the Coun­tie palatine.
• Kampidonia.
• Landona.
• Lindo.
• Lukires.
• Lubeck.
• * Lucerne a canton of Switzers.
• Luneburg.
• Maidenburg.
• Memming.
• Metz.
• Magunce.
• Mulhausen in Thuring.
• Mulhausen in Sugonie
• Northhausen in Thuring.
• Norimberg.
• * Nenmage of the Duchie of Geldre.
• Nerling.
• Oderheim.
• Obernesheim.
• Offenburg.
• * Oppenheim in the Countie palatine of Rheine.
• Perfullendor.
• Rauenspurge.
• Ratisbone.
• Rottenburg at Tamberfin.
• Roshim.
• Rotweil.
• Rentling.
• * Saint Gall canto of Switzers.
• * Schafhusē canto of Switzers.
• Schlestat.
• * Solturne canton of Switzers.
• Strasburg, Argentine,
• Spire.
• Schunfurt.
• Treuers.
• Vbirling.
• Vlme.
• Wange.
• Werdte by Danubie.
• Wesel by Rheine.
• * Wesel in Cleue.
• Welzfflay in Hessia.
• Weyl in Sweuia.
• Wenisenburg,
• Wimpfon,
• Wormatia,
• Wuisheim.
• Zurich of Switzers.

[Page]Among these cities abouenamed there are some that beare rule of themselues and yeeld no odebience to the Empire, as those that are in Heluetia in the possession of the Switzers, and those are marked with a starre on the margine: and so are those that haue been pawned to Princes by the Emperors, at such times as they stood in need of mo­ney. Like as it came to passe in the yere of our Lord 1230 that King William of Holland pawned the Cittie of Newmaga to the Earle of Gelderland for 21000. markes of money: Likewise did King Ro­bert the Count Palatine, who pawned to his sonne the Count Pala­tine Oppenheim and Ingelheim and Keyserlawterne for 100000. Gilders: and this was in the yere 1402. notwithstanding some saye it came to passe after this sort: after that Charles the fourth was elect­ed Emperour, he sought, and with great importunitie laboured with the Princes, that they would choose for Emperor his sonne Wences­laus, and for to get the good will of the electors; he promised to giue them a great summe of money: as saieth Aeneas Siluius defusedly in his historie of Bohemia. He promised to euery one of the electors a hundred thousand florines, assuring the payment of the same, by let­ting them take possession, and giuing them certaine places, because he was not otherwise able to satisfie them with ready money, and so to the Count Palatine for his share fell the aforesaid three Citties of the Empire. This Emperour Charles the fourth did most greatly hynder the Empire, for whatsoeuer treasure he could get and gather, he cari­ed all into Bohemia, to enrich that kingdom that was his inheritance. Wenceslaus also sonne to Charles the fourth, after hee had obtayned the Empire, which he held 22. yeres, did no lesse hynder the Empire than his father had, hee tooke much money of the Prince of Millain, who was then a subiect and officer of the Empire in Italie, & for that money he stalled him as Duke, in his owne right, of Millain and the Appertinances thereof, loosing yerely from the Empire the chiefe part that before it held in Italy: and the like hee did with some other Citties of Italie. And the like did Lewis of Bauaria, making free cer­taine Citties in Lombardie for money: how be it some will haue that it was Robert the Emperor, and not Lewis. Let it be as it will: It is well knowen how the Egles feathers haue been plucked away, and how euery one hath endeuored to get for himselfe what he could by [Page] spoiling the Empire. In the end, the aboue named Wenceslaus for his greedy couetousnes and vnfitte behauiours and lewd dooings thus spoyling the Empire, was deposed and depriued from the Imperiall dignitie, by the Electors with the consent of all the other Princes and potentates, and by the Bishop of Rome, and with the consent and knowledge of all in Germany. And for the publishing of this sentēce there was made a iudgement seate in the open feeldes or plaine of Brubach neare to the riuer Rhein, in the bishopprick of Treuers: and all the Empire being gathered togither in the year of our Lord 1400. on the twentith day of the moneth of August, vpon which seate of iudgement, it was openly declared to all them of the Empire how that Wenceslaus was dismissed and depriued quite ftom his Imperi­all maiestie: which was published in manner following. ‘Wee John Archbishop of Magunce, prince Elector and chiefe Chancellor of the Empire in the Countrie of Germanie, in the name of all the other prin­ces Electors, Dukes, Lantgraues, Earles, Lords, Barons and other Poten­tates of the Empire, for because of many greeuous annoyances and dangers to be auoyded, and special matters of weight concerning the whole Empire, doo dismisse, renounce and depriue, with common consent and an aduised iudge­ment, Wenceslaus, as a negligent, vnprofitable and vnworthie Emperor of the sacred Romane Empire. We do therefore spoyle and disgrade him from all degrees, dignities, honors and high estates, as in such a calling and maie­stie were due vnto him: and we do openly declare him (in presence of all the princes, Barons and Potentates of the Empire) as a prophane man and vn­worthie of such honor & dignitie: and we charge euery man, of whatsoeuer degree or calling he be, that from hencefoorth he must not yeeld him obedi­ence of commaundment, nor fee or taxe, nor any other bounden dutie belong­ing to an Emperor: And we forbid euery man to pay or yeeld him any ma­ner tribute, dutie or forfaiture, to be claimed by law or couenant, or any fine to the Empire appertaining. But we will and commaund, that all such rents and duties be kept, vntill that God shall giue vs grace to choose an Emperor that may bee beneficiall to the whole Empire and to the Christian common weale. And J cease to speake how often and with what exhortations he hath beene admonished and reprooued by the Electors both priuately and openly, by euery one of our Order, to the end he would haue left off his misdemea­nors and euill behauiours, and to haue vsed him selfe as was fit for one of his calling, but all hath beene in vaine.’

[Page]Now for to returne to the ordering of the Empyre, you must vnderstand that the Emperor Lewis of Bauare assembled a generall councell at Francford: in which assemblie it was by the princes or­dained, that any Emperor who had the more part of the Electors voi­ces and should be by the greater part created Emperor, hee should forthwith haue full power to reigne and rule as Emperor though hee were not confirmed by the Pope, as before the vse had been. Nei­ther should it consist in the will of the Pope to allow or disalow of him any more at his pleasure: for that papall authoritie to make or confirme Emperors is not due by any law of God, nor by the decrees of ancient Fathers, but by their owne vsurpings and perswasions, & by the motions of certaine their practises. Yet heerewith it was de­creed, that immediatly when an Emperour was chosen, hee should straight way giue notice to the Bishop of Rome, declaring how hee was by Gods grace and in due sorte, elected as right and lawfull Emperor, that he was a christian and worthie that Office, wherfore he desired the Pope that it would please him to confirme him in the Empire. And if by chance the Pope gain-said him this without iust cause & occasion, then the Emperor elected might receiue his crow­ning at the hands of any Christian bishop. And because wee may the better see not only this decree to be the first that tooke this authori­tie from the Pope, which some holde to belong to him of necessitie: let vs consider who crowned the Emperors of Constātinople? who those that were in Italy before Charlemainge? who those that were Heathen before Constantine? None of these were crowned by the pope, and yet they were Emperors of most great authority and most worthy and mightie princes: as in the Histories wee may read.

Charles the fourth ordeined and added afterward many lawes & decrees both worthy memory and profitable: especially he ordained that when soeuer the Emperor should sit in his seat of maiestie, the Archbishop of Treuers as his great Chauncellor of the low Cuntries should sit right ouer against him, the Archbishop of Magunce, as great Chancellor of Germany should sit on his right hand, the Arch­bishop of Collen great Chauncellor of Italy, on his left hand, the King of Bohemia on the right hand of the bishop of Magunce, and hard by him the countie Palatine: on the left side hard by the Arch­bishop [Page] of Collen should sit the Duke of Saxonie elector, & by him the Marquesse of Brandenburg.

Hee also ordained, that in their statelye goings this order should be obserued: the Archbishop of Treuers should goe before his Ma­iestie, and by him on either side one of the ecclesiasticall Electors, the king of Bohemia should goe alone after the Bishops Electors, and after him the Elector Duke of Saxonie with the sworde of the Em­pyre naked in his hand, on his right hand shoulde goe the Count Palatine, carrying an apple of Golde, which signifieth the World vn­der the Empyre: on the left hand of the saide Duke shoulde goe the Marquesse of Brandenburg with the Imperiall Scepter in his hand, and after followed the Emperors maiestie himself.

And now mee thinks I haue declared sufficientlye how the Ro­main Empyre came to the hands of the Germanes and how the de­crees touching the Empyre were ordeined: And as it hath also been spoken before, the Duchie of Orhen, Sauoy, & the Realme of Arle, abode in the handes of the Germanes, when the male issue of Char­lemaigne failed. The French since that pretēded thereto a title, and would by force haue recouered & holden the Empire in their hands, auouching that from Charlemainge the Empire was discended vnto them: & they considered not, that besides Charlemainge was by na­tion a Germane, and his successors had held Fraunce together with Germany vnited and vnder the Empyre, & that Charlemainge made alwaies his abode in Germany. But the Germans chose (after the line failed) the mightie Duke of Saxony Otho the first, who by his valor and sworde kept still the Empyre in Germanie, and recouered again many prouinces beyonde Rheine, as Loraine, the cheife Citties of which is Metz▪ Brabant and Burgonie, and subdued in Italy the Berē ­garij that would by force haue made a king of Romanes. Hee resto­red moreouer to the Empyre Sicilie, Calabria, Apulia and Lombar­die. He had in his enterprises so great victories, that he was called O­tho the great, and aboue all the victorious battels that he made, that which he had in a great plaine neer to Augusta is most worthy of re­brance, where he discomfited the army of Hungarians with a terrible conflict, and freed Germany from that heathenish people who had long time vexed and spoyled them.