In the Name of the most holy, inſeparable and glorious Trinity. Amen.

CHARLES the fourth, by the Diuine grace of God, Emperour of Rome, ſemper Auguſtus, and King of Bohemia; for a perpetuall memorie to all Poſteritie, Sendeth greeting. Euery kingdome diuided in it ſelfe, ſhal be madde eſolate; for the Princes thereof are become fellowes with theeues: therefore the Lord ſendeth the ſpirit of Blindeneſſe amongſt them, that at noone day they grope about as if they were in darkenes; and remoueth their Candleſticke out of their place, that they ſhould be blind leaders of the blinde, and they that walke in darkeneſſe offend, and are deceiued, and being blinde, commit wickedneſſe, and fall into diuiſion. Tell mee Pride, how didſt thou raigne in Lucifer, but by the meanes and aide of Diſſention? Say enuious Sathan, how didſt thou caſt Adam out of Paradiſe terreſtriall, but by making him to diſobey God? Speake Luſt, how didſt thou deſtroy Troy, but by cauſing Helena to forſake her huſband? Say Wrath, how didſt thou deſtroy the common-wealth of Rome, but by mouiug Iulius Caeſar and Pompey to ciuill and inteſtine warre? Thou Enuie, like a craftie Serpent, creeping into the Chriſtian Empire (which by the power of the holy and inſeparable Trinity is grounded on the Theological vertues of Faith, Hope, and Charitie) and whoſe foundation is happily eſtabliſhed vpon the moſt Chriſtian Kingdome of God, by pouring thy auncient and moſt impious venime amongſt the imperiall branches, and neareſt members of the ſame, (that the Pillars thereof beeing ſhaken, the whole building might fall to the ground) oftentimes haſt ſet vngodly diuiſion among the ſeauen Electors of the Empire, by whom (as by ſeuen Candleſtickes, ſhining in the vnitie of a ſeuen-fold Spirit) the holy Empire ſhould be illuminated.

Therefore, by vertue of our office, which by the Imperiall Crowne we hold, to preuent the dangers of future diuiſions and diſſentions among the Electors, whereof (as being King of Bohemia) we acknowledge our ſelfe to be one, by a double reaſon, as well of our Imperiall Commaund, as by our right of Election, which we execute, among other Lawes preſcribed for the nouriſhing and maintaining of correſpondencie among the Electors, and thereby to induce them vnto an vnitie of Election, and a deteſtation of the afore-ſaid diuiſion, and to ſtop the paſſage vnto diuers perills thereby enſuing at an Imperiall aſſembly, holden in our Court at Norembergh, in the preſence of all the Princes Electors, Spirituall and Temporall, and of a great number of other Princes, Earles, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, and Burgeſſes of the Cities and Townes of our Empire, ſitting in our Throne, apparelled in our Imperiall Robes, and Crowne vpon our head, with mature deliberation, and by imperiall power, ordaine, declare, and eſtabliſh, &c. In the yeare of our LORD GOD 1356. in the ninth Indiction, and the fourth Ides of Ianuary, and of our reigne the tenth of Bohemia, and the firſt of our EMPIRE.

In what manner the Electors are to be conducted to the Election, and by whom.

VVE ordaine, and by this our preſent Imperiall Edict, perpetually to be obſerued, commaund, of our meere motion and free Imperiall power, that as often, and whenſoeuer, in time to come, vpon neceſſitie, or the cauſe of Election of the King of Romaines to be Emperour, it ſhall happen and fall out, that the Princes Electors, according to the auncient and laudable cuſtome for the ſaid Election, are to trauell, and ſet forward on their iourney, euery Prince Elector ſhall (vpon requeſt made by the ſaid Electors) be bound to conduct and accompany his co-Electors, when they are for that cauſe to trauell, through their territories, lands and iuriſdictions; and further alſo, as neceſſitie requireth, and without refuſall, conuey them to the City or place where ſuch Election is to be made and celebrated, and alſo at their returne from thence, vpon paine of periurie, and loſſe (for that time onely) of his or their voyce, which he or they is, or are, to haue in the ſaid Election.

Which ſaid penalties, to him or them, that ſhall ſhew themſelues rebellious, obſtinate, or negligent, in the ſaid conduction, we our ſelues will iudge and impoſe.

Wee further ordaine and commaund all other Princes, Feodaries, and belonging to the Imperiall Iuriſdiction, by what name ſoeuer they are called, Dukes, Earles, Barons, Knights, and their Retainers, Gentlemen and others, Burgeſſes and Officers of Caſtles, Cities and places whatſoeuer of the ſacred Empire, that at ſuch time as the King of the Romains is to be elected Emperor, vpon requeſt vnto them made by the Princes Electours, or any of them, for conduction, either of themſelues, or their Deputies, which they ſhall appoint, as aforeſaid, without any deniall, to conduct & guide them thorow their territories, lands & poſſeſſions, & further, as need ſhall require. And that if they ſhall preſume or refuſe not to doe as wee herein ordaine and appoint, they ſhall be liable to the paines and penalties heereafter following, viz. All Princes, Earles, Barons, Knights, Nobles and Gentlemen, doing the contrary, ſhall incurre the paine of guiltineſſe of periurie, and depriuation of all liberties and immunities whatſoeuer they hold and enioy by Imperiall right, or otherwiſe; as alſo of all other their offices and functions: And all Burgeſſes, and Commons of Cities and Townes, that preſume to doe the contrarie, are likewiſe guiltie of periurie, and ſhall be depriued of all the Rights, Liberties, Priuiledges, and Immunities, which by Imperiall libertie and graunt they hold and haue obtained; which together with their bodies and goods ſhall eſcheate and fall into the Emperours hands; and further, ipſo facto, be depriued of all Law and Right whatſoeuer; ſo that from thence-forth, it ſhall be lawfull for euery priuate man, of his owne authoritie, without lawfull proceedings, or aide of Magiſtrates, freely to aſſaile, and ſet vpon them, not once incurring any penalty, paine, or puniſhment whatſoeuer, by Imperiall authoritie, or otherwiſe, for the ſame, they being ſo conuinced for diſobedience againſt the Commonwealth, and the ſacred ſtate and dignitie of the Empire, as alſo againſt their owne honours and credits, and found to haue raſhly neglected their duties, and done as rebells, diſobedient ſubiects, and periured perſons againſt the Decree aforeſaide. Decreeing further, and commanding, That the Citizens and Inhabitants of all Towns and places where the ſayd Princes Electors, and either, or any of them, as alſo their Deputies, or their ſeruants ſhall lodge or reſt themſelues, in their iourney towards, or in the place of the Election aforeſaid, to ſell, and cauſe their victualls to be ſolde at the common rate and price accuſtomed, without inhauncing, or extraordinarily raiſing the price of the ſame, vnto them and their retinue, for their neceſſary prouiſion; as alſo in their departure or returning home from thence againe. And whoſoeuer ſhall doe the contrary, we will that they ſhall incurre the ſame penalties that are formerly ſet downe againſt Citizens and others, for diſobedience in the caſes aforeſaid. Further, if any of the Princes, Earles, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Burgeſſes, and Inhabitants of Townes and Cities whatſoeuer, ſhall offer to preſume malitiouſly to wrong or doe any iniury openly or priuily, by any meanes whatſoeuer, vnto the Princes Electors in the way or otherwiſe, as they trauell to the place where the King of the Romains is to be elected, or in their returne from thence againe; or ſhall preſume to aſſaile or trouble them, or any of them, perſonally, or any of their Deputies aforeſayd, trauelling to and from the ſaid place, whether they ſhall demand conduction, or not, ſuch perſon or perſons, together with their adherents and complices, ſhall preſently thereupon incurre the paines and puniſhments aforeſaid, euery man according to his ſtate, qualitie, and condition, as aforeſaid. And if any of the Princes Electors ſhall fall out or haue any particular quarrell, contention, or controuerſie, one with or againſt the other, notwithſtanding the ſame, they ſhall be bound to conuey and conduct one the other, or their Deputies by them appointed for the ſaid Election, to the place of Election, and backe againe as aforeſaid, vpon paine of incurring the diſhonour of periurie, and the loſſe (for that time onely) of their voice in the Election, as aforeſaid. And if any other Princes, Earles, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, or Commons of Townes whatſoeuer, ſhall haue any particular quarrell with, or beare any euill will or enuy vnto, the Princes Electors in generall, or any of them in particular; or if that there ſhall ſodainely ariſe any quarrell, contention, or warre betweene them; neuertheleſſe, all controuerſies and contentions ſet apart, they ſhall conduct the ſaid Prince, or Princes Electors, or his or their Deputies, appointed to goe to the ſaid Election, in their iourney both forward and backeward, as they will ſhunne and auoyde the paines and penalties aforeſaid, by vs ſet downe to be inflicted vpon them that ſhall doe the contrarie, wherein we our ſelues will be Iudges, &c.

For the better and further eſtabliſhing and confirming of all the premiſes, we will and command, That euery & all the Princes Electors, and the reſt of the Earles, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Cities, Towns, & Inhabitants thereof, ſhall, by their oaths, ſet downe in writing, vnder their hands, promiſe & binde themſelues, to obſerue, fulfill, and keepe all the premiſes, in euery point faithfully and truely, according to the tenour thereof: And whoſoeuer ſhall deny or refuſe to doe the ſame, ſhall foorthwith incurre the paines and puniſhments, that are formerly inflicted vpon euery man, according to his or their eſtate and degree.

If any Prince Elector, or any other Prince, of what eſtate or condition ſoeuer hee be, feodarie to the Empire, Earles, Barons or Knights, or any of their heires and ſucceſſors, ſhall not hold, performe, and obſerue our aforeſaid and enſuing conſtitutions and lawes, or preſume to contrarie the ſame, if the ſaid Prince Elector continue therein, then the reſt of the Electors ſhall from thence forward exclude him out of their company, and he ſhall be excluded from his voice of Election, and place of Elector among the reſt of the Electors; neither ſhall he enioy his feodarie preferments which he vſually had in the Empire: And all other Princes and Noble men aforeſaid, committing the like offence againſt our ſaid lawes, likewiſe, ſhall not enioy their feodary rights, by the Empire giuen and granted vnto them; and yet neuertheleſſe, they ſhall incurre the danger of all the paines and penalties aforeſaid, perſonally concerning them, according to their degrees and qualities, ordained and appointed. And although all and euery one of the Princes, Earles, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Cities, Townes, and Burgeſſes of the ſame, are bound to conduct and accompany euery or any one of the ſaid Electors or their deputies as aforeſaid; neuertheleſſe, we thinke it conuenient to ordaine and appoint ſeuerall and fit conductors and conductions through the Countries, Townes, and Territories neere or neereſt adioyning vnto them, as hereafter more at large appeareth.

Firſt, the King of Bohemia, chiefe BVTLER, or Cup-bearer of the Empire, ſhall be conducted by the Arch-Biſhop of Mentz, the Biſhop of Bamburge, and Wirtzenburgh, the Burgeſſes of Wremburgh, Hohenloe, Werthen, Brunecke, and Hanow, the townes of Noremburgh, Rotenburgh, and Wyndeſhem.

The Arch-Biſhop of Collen, Chancelor for the Empire in Italie, ſhall be conducted by the Arch-Biſhop of Mentz and Tride, the County Palatine of the Rhine, the Lantgraue of Heſſen, the Earles of Katſenellenboghen, Naſſaw, Dyetz, Iſenburgh, Weſterburgh, Runkell, Limburgh, and Valkenſtein, the cities of Wetflaria, Beylenhuyſen, and Fredebergh.

The Arch-Biſhop of Treuers, Chancelor for the Empire in France, and the Kingdome of Arles, ſhall be conducted by the Arch-Biſhop of Mentz, the Earles Palatine of the Rhine, Spanheim and Veltentz, the Rhingraues of Wildegrauen, Naſſaw, Iſenburgh, Weſterburgh, Runkell, Limburgh, Dyetz, Katſenellenboghen, Eppenſtein, and Valkenſtein, and the Citie of Mentz.

The county Palatine of the Rhine, chiefe SEVVER of the Empire, ſhall be conducted by the Arch-Biſhop of Mentz.

The Duke of Saxon, Marſhall of the Empire, ſhall be conducted by the King of Bohemia, the Arch-Biſhops of Mentz, and Madeburgh, the Biſhop of Banburgh, and Wirtzenburgh, the Marques of Miſnia, the Lantgraue of Heſſen, the Abbots of Fulden and Herffelden, the Burgraues of Noremburgh, Hohenloe, Wirthen, Brunecke, Hanow, and Valkenſtein, the Cities of Erford, Wulenhuyſen, Noremburgh, Rotenburgh, and Wyndelſthem.

And all theſe laſt named ſhall conduct the Margraue of Brandenburgh, chiefe Chamberlaine of the Empire.

Alſo wee will, and expreſly ordaine, that euery one of the Princes Electors that ſhall deſire any ſuch conduction, ſhall certifie thoſe that ſhall ſo by him be required, in ſuch conuenient time, and withall ſignifie vnto them what way he intends to ride, that they that ſhall be thereunto required, may haue ſufficient time to prepare themſelues of all things neceſſary for the ſame.

Theſe ordinances aforeſaid, concerning this conduction, our meaning is ſhall in ſuch ſort be vnderſtood, that euery one aboue named, or others not named, that ſhall be required to conduct the ſaid Electors, ſhall be bound to prepare themſelues willingly and readily to doe it, not onely through their owne Lands and Territories, but further alſo, if neede require, vpon paine of the penalties aforeſaid ſet downe.

We further appoint and ordaine, that the Arch-Biſhop of Mentz, that for the time ſhall be, ſhall by expreſſe meſſengers in writing ſignifie vnto euery one of the Princes his fellow Co-electors, both ſpirituall and temporall, the ſaid Election, in which his Letters hee ſhall ſpecifie with as much ſpeede as thoſe Letters can conueniently come vnto their hands, the day on which within three moneths next after enſuing in the ſaid letters contained, al the ſaid Electors, are to be at Franckford vpon Maine, either in perſon or by his or their lawfull deputies thereunto appointed, with full power and authority vnder their hands and ſeales, to elect the King of the Romains to be Emperour. In what manner & forme ſuch Letters ſhall be made, and perpetually penned, and in what manner and forme alſo the ſaid Princes Electors ſhall authorize their deputies in that caſe of Election by them ſo appointed to be done, at the end of this booke you ſhall finde it ſet downe, and more plainely expreſſed, which forme ſo ſet downe, by our imperiall power and authoritie wee doe commaund in that manner to be obſerued.

And whenſoeuer it ſhall happen, that the death of the Emperour, or of the King of the Romaines, is knowne in the Dioceſſe of Mentz, then within a moneth from the day of the notice of the ſame, iuſtly accounted, our will and pleaſure is, that the ſaid Arch-Biſhop ſhall by his Letters ſignifie the ſame vnto euery one of the Princes Electors, in manner as aforeſaid; which if the ſaid Arch-Biſhop ſhall neglect or careleſly put off, then the ſaid Princes Electors ſhall of themſelues, without calling or warning (in performance of their oathes and alleagiance to the Empire) at the end of three moneths aforeſaid, as in the former inſtitution is declared, repaire to the ſaid towne of Franckford, there to proceede to the Election of the King of the Romains to be Emperour.

And euery Prince Elector, or his deputie, ſhall enter into the ſaid towne of Franckford at the ſaid Election, with a trayne of, not aboue two hundred horſemen, and not more, whereof fiftie of them onely, and not aboue, ſhall be armed.

And euery Prince Elector, that is called and ſummoned to the ſaid Election, not comming therevnto, nor yet ſending his lawfull deputie, with his Letters Patents vnder his hand and ſeale, with full power & authority to elect the King of the Romains to be Emperour, or if after, the ſaid Prince, or the ſaid deputie, ſhall goe from the ſaid place of election, the King of the Romains not being elected to be Emperour, nor his ſaid deputie fully authorized, he ſhall loſe his voyce which he ought to haue in ſuch election.

Wee alſo charge, commaund and enioyne the citizens of Franckford to defend and protect all the ſaid Princes Electors in generall, and euery one of them in particular, from all inuaſions or tumults that may happen among them, vpon any particular diſlike, and alſo from all other men that may attempt any thing againſt them, and likewiſe their ſeruants and followers, which they or any of them ſhall bring, to the number of two hundred aforeſaid, into the ſaid Citie; and they ſhall take their corporall oathes vpon the holy Euangeliſts, for performance thereof, vpon paine of incurring the danger of Periurie, together with the loſſe of all their Rights, Liberties, Priuiledges and Immunities, which by Emperiall authoritie they hold and enioy, and to fall into the danger of outlarie, both in body and goods: and in that caſe it ſhall be lawfull for euery man, at his or their owne liberties, without orderly proceeding, to inuade and aſſault them and euery one of them, when they will, and at all times, (being thereby depriued of all Law, as traitors and Rebels to the Empire,) without any puniſhment to be inflicted on them for the ſame, neither within nor without the Empire. The ſaid citizens of Frankford alſo, during all the time of the ſaid Election, ſhall not ſuffer any man, of what eſtate or condition ſoeuer he be, in any ſort to enter into the ſaid Towne, (the Princes Electors themſelues, and their deputies aforeſaid excepted) who are euery one of them to enter with two hundred horſe-men, as aforeſaid: And if after they are entred with their traines aforeſaid, or in their preſence, any man be found to be there, contrary to our decree; the ſaid Citizens preſently and with all ſpeede ſhall take order for his ſpeedy departure out of the Citie, without ſtay, vpon paine of incurring the penalties aforeſaid to be laid vpon them, or elſe of the breach of their oathes, which they are to take vpon the holy Euangeliſts for the performance of this our decree, as it is formerly expreſſed and declared.

Touching the Election of the King of the Romaines.

AS ſoone as the ſaid Electors or their deputies are entred into the ſaid Citie of Franckford, the next day in the morning, in the Church of Saint Bartholomew, they ſhall cauſe the Maſſe of the holy Spirit to be ſung before them, to the end that the ſaid holy Spirit might open their hearts, and illuminate their mindes, to chuſe and elect a good, vpright and a fit perſon to be King of the Romaine, and Emperour, and for the aduancement of the Chriſtian faith: And after the ſaid Maſſe, all the Electors, or their deputies, ſhall approach vnto the Alter on which the ſaid Maſſe was celebrated, where the ſpirituall Princes Electors, ſtanding together with the temporall, the Goſpell of Saint Iohn, (beginning, In principio erat verbum,) ſhall be laid open before them, the ſpirituall Princes reuerently laying their hands vpon their breſts, and the ſecular Princes laying their hands vpon the booke, in the preſence of all their company, who then are to be there ſhall take their oath, which oath the Arch-Biſhop of Mentz ſhal giue vnto them, and ſhall openly pronounce the ſame in this manner.

J Arch-Biſhop of Mentz HIGH-CHANCELOR of the ſacred EMPIRE in Germany, and Prince Elector, ſweare to this holy Goſpell now laid before me, that vpon the alleagiance which I owe to God and to the Empire of Rome, I will with all my heart and beſt indeauour by Gods helpe, chuſe a temporall head for the people of Chriſtendome that is, a King of the Romains to be Emperour, ſuch an one as ſhall be fit and capable for the place, according to my alleagiance aforeſaid, and my voyce, and the voyces of the Electors, without any fraud, or other ſiniſter and particular dealing, by mee therein to be vſed, ſo helpe me God and all his holy Saints.

This oath in this manner being taken by the ſaid Electors, or their deputies, according to their ſaid oath, they ſhall proceed to the Election, and ſhall not in any manner depart out of the ſaid Citie of Franckford, before that the greater ſort of them ſhall haue choſen a temporall head or gouernour of the world, or of Chriſtendome, a King of Romains, to be Emperour; which if they ſhall prolong or deferre the ſpace of thirty dayes from the day of taking their oathes, then the ſaid thirty dayes being expired, they ſhall eate nothing but bread and water, nor by any meanes goe away from the ſaid Citie, vntill or before they or the greater number of them ſhall haue choſen the ruler or temporall head of Chriſtendome, as aforeſaid. And after that in the ſame place, they or the greater part of them ſhall haue made their Election, the ſame ſhall be as lawfull and good, as if it had beene made by the voice and conſent of them altogether, without gaynſaying, and ſo ſhall be celebrated. And if it ſhall happen that any of the Electors, or their deputies aforeſaid, ſhall ſtay longer from comming to Franckford to the Election, then the time appointed; yet if hee or they ſhall come thither before the ſaid Election i • made, wee ordaine and decree that he or they ſhall neuertheleſſe be admitted to the ſaid Election, as well as if they had come thither at the firſt day and time aforeſaid, which in the ſame manner wee will and commaund to be continually and perpetually obſerued. Wee alſo ordaine, and by our imperiall power and authority commaund, that hee, who in manner aforeſaid ſhall be choſen to be King of Romains, the Election being made, before hee ſhall doe any thing, or proceed to the ordering of any affaires whatſoeuer, touching the Empire, by vertue of his place and dignitie of King of Romains, he ſhall by his Letters Patents confirme all the priuiledges, rights, liberties, graunts, auncient cuſtomes, and dignities vnto the Princes Electors both Spirituall and Temporall, which are knowne and reputed to be the principalleſt members of the Empire, and whatſoeuer elſe they ſhall haue obtained and enioyed in the Empire vntill the day of the Election; and when hee ſhall be crowned Emperour, he ſhall ratefie and confirme the ſame vnto all the Electors in generall, & euery one of them in particular, without any denyall or contradiction whatſoeuer. And in caſe wheras three Princes Electors, preſent, or their deputies in their abſence, ſhall together chuſe one of the Princes Electors, either preſent or abſent, to be King of Romains; the voyce of him that is Elected, (if he be preſent, or his deputie in his abſence,) ſhall be of ſufficient power and means to encreaſe the greater number of the Election, and to make the ſame as effectuall, and of as good force, as if it had beene made by all the Electors together.

The manner how the Spirituall Princes Electors ſhall ſit by the Emper • ur, when he is ſet in his Imperiall Throne. In the name of the holy and inſeparable Trinitie. Amen.

CHarles the fourth, by the diuine grace of God, Emperour of Rome, Semper Auguſtus, and King of Bohemia; in perpetuall memorie, and for the glory and grace of the holy Empire, the honour of the Emperour, and for an order hereafter to be preſcribed to the common-wealth, to the end that the moſt reuerent and illuſtrious Princes Electors, may be maintained in peace and vnity of minde, who as principall pillers, circumſpectly, prudently, wiſely, and holily, ſuſtaine, ſupport and vphold the ſacred edifice of the Empire, and whoſe aſſiſtances and aydes ſtrengthen and corroborate the right hand of the imperiall power; and how much the more by mutuall fauour and ample dignitie they are vnited together, ſo much the more peace and tranquility and commodity the people of Chriſtendome thereby obtaine and enioy: therefore that among the venerable Arch-Biſhops and Prelates of Mentz, Collen, and Tryer, Princes Electors of the ſacred Empire, all diſſention, ſuſpition, and contention touching Superiority, or ſitting in counſell, in the imperiall Courts, and reſorts, that may ariſe or grow hereafter, may be cut off and ceaſed, and that they being peaceable and quiet in minde may the better and freelyer conſider of the important affaires of the Empire, and with one will, and conſent, and vnity, meditate thereon, for the conſolation and comfort of the chriſtian people: By the counſell and deliberation of all the Princes Electors, both ſpirituall and temporall, wee Decree, and by our imperiall power and authoritie ordaine, this Order and Law, perpetually to be obſerued, that the aforeſaid reuerent Arch-Biſhop of Tryer, ſhall ſit oppoſite right before the Emperors face. The Arch-biſhop of Mentz, in his owne Dioceſſe and Prouinces, and alſo out of his Prouinces in al his Chancelours regiment throughout Germany, the Prouince of Collen onely excepted: And the Archbiſhop of Collen in his Dioceſſe and Prouinces, and out of his Prouinces throughout all Italie, may, ſhall, and ought to ſit on the right hand of the Emperour of Rome, in all publique actes, Imperial Iudgements, Aſſemblies, Feodarie Courts, Feaſts, Counſels, and all other actions, which may happen and fall out for the ſeruice and honour of the Empire: which mutuall order aforeſaid, of ſitting, ſo appoynted for them, wee ordaine and command to be obſerued and kept among the ſaid Arch-biſhops of Collen, Tryer, and Mentz, and their Succeſſors for euer, that hereafter no contention or diſtaſte may, for the ſame, grow and breed among them.

Touching all the Electors ſitting in the Emperours preſence.

VVEe further ordaine, That whenſoeuer the Emperour ſhall holde his Imperiall Court of Parliament, in euery Seſſion, as well in Counſell, as in Parliament, and at meate, or any other place whatſoeuer, where the Emperour and the King of Romaines ſhall happen to ſit with the Princes Electors, next after the Arch-biſhops of Mentz, or Collen, which of them, at that time, in regard of the qualitie of their places, or varietie of Prouinces, and his other Priuiledges, ſhall be ſet downe on the right hand of the Emperour, the King of Bohemia, being an annoynted and a crowned Prince, ſhall ſit next vnto him; the Earle Palatine of the Rheine, ſhal haue the next place on the left ſide of the Emperor, after, one of the Arch-biſhops aforeſaid, whoſe chance it ſhall be then to ſit on the left ſide of the Emperour. Then the Duke of Saxon; and after him the Margraue of Brandenburgh, ſhall ſit downe: But, when, and as often as the Emperours ſhall be dead, then the Arch-biſhop of Mentz ſhall haue power, as it is formerly ſet downe, by Letters, to ſummon all the Princes aforeſaid, to come together for the election; who being all, or as many of them as can or will come, within the time of election, aſſembled, the ſaid Arch-biſhop of Mentz, and none other, ſhal aske euery one of his fellow Electors, their voice in the election, as followeth: Firſt, the Arch-biſhop of Tryer, whom we ordaine to ſpeake firſt, & to whom we find that it hath ſtill belonged: Then the Archbiſhop of Collen, to whom it belongeth to crowne the King of Romaines: The third, the King of Bohemia, who amongſt the Temporall Electors, in regard of his Royall dignity, is the chiefe of them: The fourth, the Earle Palatine of the Rheine: The fift, the Duke of Saxon: and the ſixt, the Margraue of Brandenburgh: who ſitting orderly, the Archbiſhop of Mentz, ſhall aske euery one of them, whom they will chooſe, or giue their conſent vnto.

Further, in the celebration of the Imperiall Offices, the Margraue of Brandenburgh ſhall holde the Baſon, whileſt the Emperour or King of Romains waſh his or their hands: Next, the King of Bohemia ſhall beare the Kings cup to drinke, which, by reaſon of his regall Crowne, and according to the priuiledge of his kingdome, vnleſſe he will voluntarily doe it, he is not bound to doe: The Earle Palatine of the Rheine, ſhall ſerue in the firſt diſh; and the Duke of Saxon, ſhall exerciſe the place of Marſhall, as he hath anciently vſed to doe.

The Priuiledges of the Earle PALATINE of the Rheine, and the Duke of Saxon.

AS often as the Empire ſhall happen to be void, the illuſtrious Earle Palatine of the Rheine, chiefe Sewer of the Empire, in place of the future King of Romains, by right and priuiledge of his Earledome, ought to bee Oner-ſeer in the territories of the Rheine, Sweuia, and Franconia, for the Emperor; with power of exerciſing Iuſtice, preſentation of Eccleſiaſticall Benefices, receiuing Rents and Reuenews, and in the name of the Empire, to take the oaths of fidelitie and feoffments; which neuertheleſſe, after the King of Romaines is elected, ſhall all bee reiterated, and they ſhall againe renew their oathes vnto him, the oathes of the Princes, and of thoſe that are called Vanlehen excepted, which we ſpecially reſerue for the Emperour himſelfe, or the King of Romains: but all kindes of Alienations, or Obligations of Imperial things, are excluded out of his power. The like power of Ouer-ſeer, we giue and appoynt vnto the illuſtrious Prince the Duke of Saxon, as Marſhal of the Empire, in thoſe places where the Iuriſdiction of Saxon extend, in like manner and forme as aforeſaide: and although in the interim that the Emperour or King of Romaines are to be elected, Iuſtice ſhall be done by the Earle Palatine, as chiefe Sewer, and Prince Elector; yet the County Palatine ſhall not execute the ſaide Iudgement in any other place, then openly in the Emperours Court, where the Emperour himſelfe, or the King of Romains, if they were preſent, ſhould doe it.

How the Princes Electors ſhall take place before other Princes and Noble men of the Empire.

VVEe further ordaine, That whenſoeuer, and as often as the Emperour ſhall ſummon a Court of Parliament; the Princes Electors aforeſayd, both Spirituall and Temporall, according to the order preſcribed, ſhall ſit on the right and left hands of the Emperour, and ſo holde their places, and no other Prince, of what degree, ſtate, or condition ſoeuer he be, in any place within the ſaid Court, in going, ſitting, or ſtanding, ſhall be preferred before them. And this is ſpecially to be obſerued, and noted, that the King of Bohemia, at the celebration of the ſaid Court of Parliament, in all and euery the actions aforeſaid, (what other King, Prince, or Princes, of what eſtate ſoeuer he or they be, that may vpon any occaſion be preſent therein,) ſhall haue the preheminence and preferment of ſitting before him or them.

Touching the Succeſsion of the Temporall Princes, Electors.

AMong the innumerable cares wherewith wee are buſied for the maintenance of the happy ſtate of the Empire, by the ayde and helpe of God, our heart and minde daily laboureth to this end, that a deſired and wholeſome vnion may alwayes be had and maintained, with ſinceritie of heart, among the Princes Electors of the Empire, whoſe prouidence, in time, will ſo much the ſooner and eaſelier appeare, and take effect, when no errour ſhall ariſe among them, and thereby Charity better obſerued, difficulty preuented, and right and equitie giuen to euery man. It is generally, manifeſtly, and publiquely knowne to all men, farre and neare, that the illuſtrious Princes, the King of Bohemia, the County Palatine of the Rheine, the Duke of Saxon, and the Margraue of Brandenburgh, by vertue of his Kingdome, and their Principalities, in the election of the King of Romains to be Emperour, with the reſt of the Spirituall Princes their Co-electors, by right haue their Places and Voices, and together with them, to chooſe them, as true and lawfull Electors of the Empire: leſt that among the ſayde Temporall Princes ſonnes, in time to come, there may grow or ariſe any trouble, diſſention or contention, touching the right, voyce and power of election aforeſayd, and thereby to preuent all future impediments, lets, and hinderances therein, deſiring (by Gods help) carefully and wiſely to ſtay and ſtop all dangers, We ordaine, and by our Imperiall authority commaund, this preſent Law perpetually to be obſerued and kept; That whenſoeuer the ſayd temporall Princes, Electors, or any of them ſhall leaue their right, voyce, and power of election aforeſayd, the ſame ſhall iuſtly, lawfully and freely eſcheat and fall to the eldeſt ſonne and heire of him or them, being a Temporall perſon, without any contradiction whatſoeuer: And if the ſaid eldeſt ſonne, ſhall die without lawfull temporall heires male, by vertue of this our Imperiall Edict, the right, voyce, and power aforeſaid, ſhall fall to the next brother, being a Temporall perſon, rightly deſcending from his father; and after him, to his eldeſt ſonne, being a Temporall Prince: And ſuch ſucceſſion from the eldeſt ſonnes and heires of the ſaid Princes, in the right, voyce, and power aforeſaid of election, ſhall from time to time perpetually be obſerued; with this condition and clauſe neuertheleſſe, That if the ſaid Prince Elector, or his eldeſt ſonne, beeing a Temporall perſon, ſhall die, and leaue his heires male, being Temporall perſons, at the time of his deceaſe, vnder age, then the next brother to the ſaid eldeſt ſonne, ſhall be tutor, and adminiſtrator of the ſaid children, vntill the eldeſt of them ſhall attaine to lawfull yeares: whom we doe ordaine and appoint to be Elector, at the age of eighteene yeares, and at that time, the ſaid right, power, and voyce, and other appendances thereof, ſhall eſcheate vnto him: and then the ſaid adminiſtrator ſhall reſigne the ſaid office and rights aforeſaid wholly vnto him. And if any of the ſaid Princes houſes ſhall happen to faile, and be extinguiſhed, for want of heires male; then the Emperour or King of Romaines, for the time being, ſhall and may take order therein, and prouide an other Elector, as an eſcheate lawfully fallen to him and the Emperour, alwayes excepting the priuiledges, rights, and cuſtomes of our Kingdome of Bohemia, touching the election of their King, in caſe of vacation, by the Subiects thereof, that haue right and authoritie to elect their King: Obſeruing their priuileges, and ancient cuſtomes continually vſed, and by diuers Emperours of Rome, or Kings, graunted vnto them, which by this our Decree wee will by no meanes breake nor infringe, but rather confirme the ſame, from hence forward, to be and remayne in as full power and effect as heeretofore they haue beene, and ſo for euer to continue.

Of the immunities and priuiledges of the Kings of Bohemia, and the Subiects thereof.

WHereas by two illuſtrious Emperours of Rome, and Kings of Bohemia, our Progenitors and Predeceſſors, it was giuen and graunted vnto the ſayd Kingdome and Crowne, and at this preſent, in the ſaid Kingdome, from time out of minde, is and hath beene a laudable cuſtome and law without any contradiction, and miſ-conſtruction, vſed among them, that no Prince, Baron, Knight, Gentleman, retainers to Nobles, Burgeſſes, Citizens, nor any other perſon or perſons of the ſaid Kingdome, or their adherents, of what eſtate, dignitie, preheminence, or condition ſoeuer they be, at any mans ſuite or ſummons whatſoeuer, ſhall be called, cited, warned, or ſummoned to appeare before any Iudge, or Iudgement Seate, Court of Law or Iuſtice whatſoeuer, out of the Realme of Bohemia, and the Courts of law and equity therein holden, which time out of minde, hath ſo beene holden and vſed among them: Wee therefore, to renew and confirme the ſame Priuiledge, cuſtome and indulgence, graunted them by Imperiall authoritie aforeſayd, of our ſpeciall grace, and by our Imperiall authoritie, doe ordaine, That if any Prince, Baron, Nobleman, Knight, Gentleman, retainers to Nobles, Burgeſſes, Citizens, Peaſants, or any other perſon or perſons of the ſaide Realme and Kingdome, ſhall be ſummoned, warned, or adioyned to appeare or anſwere to and before any Iudge, Iudgement Seate, Court of Lawe, or Iuſtice, out of the Realme and Kingdome of Bohemia aforeſaid, either for any criminall, ciuill, or any other cauſe or action whatſoeuer, and at any time or times what or whereſoeuer, they are not in any manner or ſort bound to appeare or anſwere to the ſame; and if that, for not appearing or anſwering, at, or before any ſuch incompetent Iudge or Iudgement Seate, or whatſoeuer authorities out of the Realme of Bohemia aforeſaid, their aduerſe parties ſhall in ſuch manner proceed againſt them, and that Sentence definitiue, or execution thereupon, ſhalbe giuen and pronounced in any cauſe whatſoeuer in thoſe Courts againſt them, by forraine authoritie as aforeſaid: We ordaine, appoynt, and iudge the ſaid Citations, ſummons, precepts, proceſſes, ſentences and executions thereupon enſewing, and all things, which by the ſame, or any of thoſe meanes, ſhall, or may follow, be done, & attempted, in that manner againſt them, to be vtterly void, diſannulled, and of no force nor effect. Further adding, and expreſly ordering, by our ſaide Imperiall authoritie, for euer to bee held, That although in the ſaid Realme of Bohemia, (time out of mind) the ſame hath alwaies beene obſerued, if from hence forth any Prince, Baron, Nobleman, Knight, or retainer to Nobles, Citizens, Burgeſſes, Peaſants, or any Subiects of the Realme of Bohemia, of what eſtate, preheminence, dignitie, or condition ſoeuer he be, in any proceſſe, ſentence definitiue, precepts of the King of Bohemia, or any of their Iudgements and executions thereof, made, pronounced and executed againſt them in Iudgement, eyther before the King, or the tribunall Seates of iudgement in the ſaid realme, thereunto commonly appoynted, ſhall appeale to any other Iudge or Iudgement ſeate out of the realme of Bohemia, whoſoeuer he be that ſhall doe ſo, and if the partie Defendant doth not reſiſt nor gaine-ſay the Plaintife, both the Defendant and Plaintife, in that caſe, ſhall incurre the danger of looſing their ſuite.

Of Gold, Siluer, and other kindes of Mettals.

THis preſent ſtatute we ordaine for euer to be obſerued, and thereby declare that our ſucceſſors, Kings of Bohemia, as alſo all and euery one of the Princes Electors, both ſpirituall and temporall, which for the time perpetually ſhall be, ſhall lawfully haue, hold, enioy, and poſſeſſe all Mines of ſuch Gold, Siluer, Tinne, Copper, Iron, Leade, and other kindes of Mettals, and alſo of Salt already found, or hereafter to be found, as at any time heretofore were within the ſaid Realme of Bohemia, or the territories thereof: And likewiſe, that the ſaid Princes Electors, in the prouinces, parts, lands, in particular dominions, and territories to them or any of them appertaining, ſhal lawfully poſſeſſe & hold and enioy the ſame, together with all rights whatſoeuer, (none excepted) whereby they might, may, and were wont to holde and poſſeſſe the ſame, as alſo to take lawfull towles and cuſtomes, heretofore giuen and graunted vnto them for the ſame, & which our Progenitors, Kings of Bohemia, and the ſaid Princes Electors, and their Predeceſſors and Progenitors lawfully might claime, vntill this time, according to the auncient, laudable, and approued cuſtome at this day, and long time before, vſed and obſerued.

Touching Money.

VVE alſo ordaine, that the King of Bohemia our ſucceſſour, that for the time ſhall be, as it appeareth, that the illuſtrious Kings of Bohemia our predeceſſors, were wont to haue and peaceably vſed in former times, ſhall haue the vſe, libertie, and cuſtome of Coyning, Making, and vttering of Money ſtamped, in Gold and Siluer, in all places and parts of the ſaid Realme, or territories thereof, where the ſaid King ſhall be pleaſed to Coyne, and make the ſame, in what ſort, faſhion, & ſtampe ſoeuer they will, as vntill this time, it hath been, and ſhall perpetually be vſed. And further, wee giue vnto the Kings of Bohemia, by this our imperial Conſtitution, libertie to authorize the Princes, Nobles, Earles and other perſons of the ſaid Realme, to buy Lands, Caſtles, Poſſeſſions, goods and Morgages, whatſoeuer or whereſoeuer in the Empire, or to receiue and take them of guift by any manner or meanes whatſoeuer, according to the tenour of the ſaid Lands, Caſtles, Poſſeſſions, Morgages, or goods accuſtomed; ſo that Free-hold, may be bought for Free-hold, Coppy-hold as coppy-hold, Feodarie as Feodarie, and ſhall in ſuch ſort be holden, that whatſoeuer the Kings of Bohemia ſhall buy or receiue, and ſhall be applied to the vſe and benefit of the ſaid Realme, ſhall continue to yeeld and pay the accuſtomed and ordained quit-rents and tallages due from them vnto the Empire. This preſent conſtitution, grace and fauour of our Imperiall Maieſtie, ſo graunted to the Realme of Bohemia, wee alſo giue and graunt vnto all the Princes Electors, as well ſpirituall and temporall, as alſo to their lawfull heires and ſucceſſours, in all points as it is formerly declared.

The Immunities and priuiledges, of the Princes Electors.

VVEe ordaine and decree alſo, that no Earles, Barons, Nobles, feodarie Vaſſailes, Knights, Citizens, Burgeſſes, nor any other perſon ſubiect to the Eccleſiaſticall Iuriſdictions of Mentz, Tryer and Collen, of what ſtate, condition, or dignitie ſoeuer they be, ſhall not vpon occaſion, or by any procurement whatſoeuer, be cited or ſummoned to appeare, without the Territories, Bounds and Limits of the ſaid Churches, and the appurtenances thereof, before any other Tribunall ſeate or place of Iuſtice or Iudgement, then onely in the liberties and iuriſdiction of Mentz, Tryer and Collen, and before the Iudges thereof, in time to come, nor hereafter, according to the cuſtome of the ſaid churches in times paſt obſerued. And that if contrary to this our preſent Edict, the ſubiects of the Churches of Mentz, Tryer, and Collen, or any of them, vpon any occaſion whatſoeuer, ſhal chance to be cited or ſummoned to appeare before any tribunall ſeate, for any criminall, ciuill, or other cauſe or buſineſſe out of the limits and territories of the ſaid Churches, or any of them, they ſhall not be bound to appeare, nor in any ſort to anſwere therevnto, as alſo that the Citations, Proceſſes, and Sentences, diffinitiues, or otherwiſe, againſt them begun, for not appearing before ſuch forraine Iudges, or hereafter to be made and pronounced, as alſo the precepts and executions of the ſame, and all things which from them, or any of them, or by that means ſhall or may be done and attempted, are and ſhall be voide and of none effect; expreſly commaunding, that no Earle, Baron, feodarie Vaſſall, Knights, Citizens, Burgeſſes, Peaſants, nor any other perſon, ſubiects to the ſaid Churches, or their inhabitants, of what eſtate, condition, or dignitie ſoeuer they be, ſhall appeale from the proceſſes, ſentences definitiue or other, & precepts of the ſaid Arch-Biſhops, and their Churches, or the executions therof made & pronounced, or to be made and pronounced againſt them, in the Arch-Biſhopricke or their Conſiſtories & tribunall ſeates, as long as they are not denied Law and Iuſtice in the Arch-Biſhoprickes, nor their Conſiſtories aforeſaid; and that ſuch appeales in that ſort made, ſhall not be receiued, accepted, nor allowed, but to the contrary, ſhall be voide, and of none effect. But for want of Iuſtice, they and euery one of them may immediately appeale from them to the imperiall Court and tribunal ſeate of the Emperor, & not to any other Court whatſoeuer, either ordinarie or extraordinary; & that whatſoeuer, ſhall be done, contrarie to the premiſſes, wee pronounce it to be voyde and of none effect. The ſame Law, Order, and Statute by vertue of this our Imperiall Decree, the illuſtrious Duke of Palatine of the Rheine, the Duke of Saxon, and the Marques of Brandenburgh, temporall Princes Electors, and their heires, ſucceſſors, and ſubiects, ſhall alſo hold and enioy, in manner and forme as aforeſaid.

Touching the aſſembling or meeting of the Princes Electors.

AMong many other cares, wherewith wee are daily buſied, it ſeemeth much to import our greatneſſe and ſublimitie, that the Princes Electors of the ſacred Empire, ſhould often meete and aſſemble together, to ſit about and conſult vpon the affaires of the Empire, and the good of Chriſtendome in generall: Which ſound pillers and ſtedfaſt and immoueable ſupporters of the Empire, as they are a great way diſtant one from another, on the other ſide, meeting in counſell, they may conſult vpon the defects of the Countries and Territories about them, by comming and conferring together, and by their wholeſome and ſound counſels apply good remedies thereunto: And to that end, we haue ordained our generall meeting in Noremburgh, with the Venerable, Eccleſiaſticall, and Illuſtrious temporall Princes Electors, and many other Princes and Nobles of the Empire, there, with good deliberation, and their counſell and aduiſe, for the common good of the Empire, to conſult with the ſaid Princes Electors, eccleſiaſticall and temporall. It is further by vs thought good, that the ſaid Princes Electors, from henceforth, euery yeare once after the feaſt of the Reſurrection of our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, commonly called Eaſter, for the ſpace of foure weeks together, ſhall meet & aſſemble in ſome one of our imperiall Cities, and at the ſame time to come or enſew in the next yeare, the ſame meeting or counſell to be holden by vs and the ſaid Princes in our imperiall Citie of Vianna in Auſtria; and then at that place by our ſaid Counſell, it ſhall be determined vpon the place where wee ſhall meete againe the next yeare, for the ſame purpoſe; this our order to hold no longer then we and our Counſell ſhal be pleaſed to continue it: & during the aſſemblies aforeſaid, wee will defend and protect them by our imperiall conduction, both comming to, ſtaying, and departing from thence. Further, leſt the furtherance of the common good and peace of the Empire, might by too much ſolacing, or exceſſiue frequenting of banquets be delayed, and put off, as many times it falleth out, and happeneth to be ſo; wee haue agreed, that from henceforth, while this meeting aforeſaid ſhall hold, it ſhall not be lawfull to call and aſſemble any generall Court of all the Princes of the Empire together, in any other place; particular aſſemblies and expeditions moderately aſſembled, onely excepted.

Priuiledges.

VVEe further ordaine, and ſet downe for a perpetuall imperiall Law, that all Priuiledges, and letters pattents of any perſon or perſons, of what eſtate, preheminence or dignitie ſoeuer hee or they be, or of any Cities. Townes or Vniuerſities, &c. whereby any rights, graces, immunities, cuſtomes, or any other things, either by vs or otherwiſe by the Emperours and Kings our predeceſſors, in any manner or forme of words hath vnto them beene graunted, or that are to be graunted, by vs or our ſucceſſors, Emperours & kings, in time to come, neither ſhall, may, nor ought at all to derogate and contrarie the liberties, iuriſdictions, rights, honours, and dominions of the Princes Electors, temporall, eccleſiaſticall, or of any of them in particular, notwithſtanding, that in ſuch priuiledges, and Letters pattents, made to any perſon of what eſtate, dignitie, or quallitie ſoeuer they be, as aforeſaid, or to any Vniuerſity, it be or ſhall be expreſly ſet downe therin, that they ſhall be irreuocable. If the ſaid priuiledges and immunities be not found any wayes to derogate or contrary the priuiledges, liberties, iuriſdictions, rights, honours and dominions, as aforeſaid, of the ſaid Princes Electors or any of them; if otherwiſe wee cenſure them to be reuocable, and to be diſanulled; and by theſe preſents, vnderſtand, repute, and hold them to be reuoked.

Of thoſe to whom as vnworthy thereof, Feoffments are made.

IN diuers parts and places, the feodaries, vaſſails of lands & benefices, which they haue peaceably obtained from their Lords often times by word of mouth, and fraudulently paſſe them ouer againe vnto their ſaid Lords; which hauing done, they defie and malitiouſly fall out with their ſaid Lords, and thereby wrong them, and vnder pretence of warre, or enmitie, re-enter vpon the ſame, and forcibly hold and poſſeſſe them: Therefore, this preſent law ſhall for euer be obſerued, that ſuch reſignations or ſurrenders ſhall be held and eſteemed to be voide and of no value, vnleſſe they be freely, orderly, and lawfully paſt ouer, in ſuch manner, that the ſaid benefices, & feoffments may be really & effectually aſſigned into the Lords hands againe, that ſo in time to come, there may no quarrell nor claime be made for them with the Lords, either by themſelues or any other in their names, or by the counſel, aide or procurement of them, or of any man whatſoeuer; And doing to the contrarie, or troubling and moleſting the Lords for the ſaid benefices and feoffments, reſigned or not reſigned, or doing them any wrong, or counſelling, aiding, or abetting others againſt them, in that caſe they ſhall loſe their ſaid benefices and feoffments, and be accounted, holden and eſteemed to be infamous perſons, and outlawes, and not worthy to enioy or repoſſeſſe the ſame, by any meanes: and if by any new contract, or bargaine by them made with their ſaid Lords, they ſhall at any time be remitted into the ſame, by all manner of conſtruction, the ſaid feoffment ſhall be voyde and of no effect. Laſtly, wee will and ordaine that they or any of them that ſhall not fraudulently make ſuch reſignations vnto their Lords, and yet afterward trouble them for the ſame, or fraudulently making them, wilfully moleſt, inuade, and aſſaile them by force of this our-imperiall decree, ſhall incurre all the penalties aforeſaid.

Of Conſpiracies.

FVrther, deteſting (as our Lawes import) all conſpiracies, aſſemblies, or vnlawfull confederations, made, either in, or out of Cities, or betweene Cities and Cities, perſons and perſons, or perſons priuate and Cities, (vnder pretence of banquets, or meetings of friends and Citizens at funerall feaſts, &c.) thoſe kinde of aſſemblies, confederations, or compacts, as alſo the cuſtomes of the ſame, we cenſure to be corrupt, and doe reprooue, condemne, and vpon good aduice diſallow and diſanull them) of what eſtate, dignitie, or degree ſoeuer they be, either among themſelues, or without the authoritie of the Lords, whoſe ſubiects or miniſters, or vnder whoſe Iuriſdictions they are, (their ſaid Lords not excepted) or ſhall from henceforth doe, or in time to come preſume to doe, as by the ſacred Lawes of our excellent, imperiall predeceſſors, they are without doubt prohibited, and diſanulled: thoſe confederacies and Lawes excepted, which Princes, Cities, and others, for the generall peace of their Prouinces and Countries ſhall make, conclude and agree vpon among themſelues: which being in our Decree ſpecially reſerued, we iudge to be and remaine in force and vigour; vntil by vs other order ſhall be taken for the ſame;) And conclude, that if any particular perſon, contrary to the tenor of this our Decree, and the ancient Lawes made concerning the ſame, ſhall hereafter enter into any other confederacies, meetings, conſpiracies, and compacts: beſides the penalties for the ſame ſet downe in the Lawes, they ſhall incurre the danger of infamie, and the forfeiture of ten pounds; and thoſe Cities or Vniuerſities, that ſhall (in that caſe) doe contrary to our ſaid Lawes, the forfeiture of an hundred pounds, together with the loſſe and depriuation of their Imperiall liberties and priuiledges; the one halfe of their ſaid forfeitures, to be payd into the Emperours Exchequer, and the other halfe to the Lord of the place, in whoſe Iuriſdiction the ſame was committed.

Of Pſalburgerie.

BEcauſe no Citizens and Subiects to Princes, Barons, or ſuch like perſons, ſhall ſeeke to caſt off the originall yoke of ſubiection (as they oftentimes doe complaine thereof vnto vs) and to that end boldely procure their admiſſion to dwell and inhabite in other Cities, and often in times paſt practiſed the ſame, and neuertheleſſe ſtill hold their Priuiledges in thoſe Cities, Lands, Townes and Villages, wherein they formerly reſided, and yet ſeeke to enioy the Liberties and Freedomes of thoſe places whereunto they ſo remoue, and claime protection of the ſame, which in Germany was wont commonly to be called Pſalburgerie; To the end that no deceit nor guile ſhould in ſuch caſes be fauoured or vpholden, by our Imperiall power, together with the counſell and aduice of all the Princes Electors, both Spirituall and Temporall, we will and ordaine this Law, perpetually to be holden, That ſuch Citizens and their Subiects, ſo deluding or fraudulently dealing, in all the territories, places, and prouinces of the Empire, from this day forward, as ſo fraudulently procure, and hereafter ſhall procure themſelues to be entertained, and to dwell in other cities, ſhall not in the ſame Cities enioy any rights or liberties whatſoeuer; vnleſſe they dwell corporally in the ſaid Citie, and therein continually keep houſe, and truly, and not fainedly, reſide in the ſame, paying Lot and Scot due and payable therein. And if any, contrary to the tenour of this our Decree, are or ſhall be ſo receiued, from hence-forth ſuch their acceptance or receiuing ſhall be voyde, and of no force, and ſuch as are ſo receiued, of what dignitie, condition or ſtate ſoeuer they be, from hence-forth in no manner ſhall enioy any rights or liberties within the ſaide Cities whatſoeuer, notwithſtanding any rights, priuiledges or cuſtomes by them obtained, vſed, or obſerued in former times: Which, in as much, or ſo farre, as they are contrary to this our Decree, we doe hereby reuoke, and by our Imperiall power and authoritie, pronounce them to be voyde of all vigor and force. Touching the premiſes, concerning the Princes, Lords, and others, which ſhall happen ſo, or hereafter, to be forſaken by their Subiects, their rights in the perſons and goods of their Subiects that ſo ſhall leaue them, alwayes excepted. Thoſe neuertheleſſe, that haue preſumed, or ſhall hereafter preſume ſo to receiue and entertaine other mens Citizens and Subiects, contrarie to the tenor of this our preſent Decree; If they doe not remit and ſend them away, within one moneth after the intimation of theſe preſents made vnto them, ſhall for euery time ſo offending, forfeit and pay one hundred markes, the one halfe into the Emperours Exchequer, and the other halfe to the Lords of thoſe that were ſo receiued, without fauour or pardon.

Of Defiances.

SVch men as pretend to haue iuſt cauſe of Defiance againſt any man, in thoſe places where they dwell not or commonly inhabit, and ſodainly defie them, we declare, ſuch dammages as ſhall happen or ariſe, by burning, ſpoyling, or pillage of the parties defied, with their honour, be ſatisfied: And becauſe other mens fraud and deceit ſhould not be vpholden nor maintained. We ordayne this Law for euer to be kept and obſerued. That ſuch Defiances made, or that in time to come ſhall be made againſt any Lords, or perſons, with whom they are conuerſant, familiar and friends, ſhalbe of no force nor valew; neither ſhall it bee lawfull, vnder any pretence whatſoeuer, to defie any man, and to ſpoyle, burne, and bereaue him of his goods, &c. vnleſſe ſuch defiance be certified, and made perſonally vnto the party defied three dayes before, or elſe, in the place where he was wont to dwell, and that the party defying can teſtifie the ſame Defiance to be ſo made, by lawfull witneſſes: And whoſoeuer ſhall doe the contrary, ſhall for the ſame, incurre infamie and diſgrace, as if no defiance had beene made: whom we alſo cenſure by the Law to be puniſhed as a traitor: Wee likewiſe prohibit and condemne all warre, and uniuſt quarrells, & euery vnlawfull burnings, ſpoylings, & pillages, vndue and extraordinary toles, & ſafe-conducts, and ſuch extraordinary exactions, as are vſed to be made and taken for ſuch ſafe-conducts, vpon the paines in the Lawes aforeſaid, and ſuch like, ordained and ſet downe.

A Letter of Certificate or warning, to be giuen to the Electors to aſſemble about the election of the King of Romaines.

ILluſtrious and magnanimous Prince H. Margraue of Brandenburgh, High-Chamberlaine of the Empire, Prince Elector, and our moſt eſpeciall friend; The election of the King of Romans, which for good cauſes is now to be made, we doe by theſe preſents certifie vnto you, and according to your office and dutie, call you to the Election aforeſaid, to the end that at ſuch a day, &c. within three moneths, orderly enſuing one the other, eyther you, or your deputie, or deputies (ſufficiently authorized) may take care to be at the place for the ſame appoynted, according to the Law in the ſame caſe prouided, there to deliberate, conferre, and agree, with the other Princes our co-Electors, vpon the election of the ſaid King of Romaines (by Gods helpe) to be made Emperour, and there to ſtay and remaine, vntill the ſaid election be fully finiſhed and accompliſhed, and to doe and performe all other things thereunto appertaining, as by the Laws in that caſe prouided are ſet downe; wherein we pray you not to faile: otherwiſe, notwithſtanding yours, or your deputies abſence, wee will, (with the Princes your co-Electors and ours) (according to the authoritie in that caſe prouided by the Law) proceede to the Election.

A forme of a Letter of Depulation to be made by one of the Princes Electors vnto his Deputie or Deputies, by him to be ſent to the Election.

VVEe by the grace of God, &c. of the holie Empire &c. by theſe preſents make known vnto all men, That foraſmuch as the Election of the King of Romaines, for certaine ſpeciall cauſes is to be made; wee reſpecting the honour of the Empire, and deſiring to further and aduance the ſame, leſt it ſhould be neglected or omitted, being aſſured of the fidelitie, induſtrie and circumſpection of our louing friend, or friends, &c. and knowing by indubitate preſumption, the ſingular confidence of them in generall, and of euery one of them in particular; ſo that without contrarietie, whatſoeuer one of them ſhall take in hand, the others will agree, conſent vnto, and performe • according to Law, and reaſon, in the beſt manner, meanes and forme that we may or can deuiſe, we haue made, elected and choſen them to be our lawfull Deputies, in any place where-ſoeuer, together with the other Princes our co-Electors, aſwel eccleſiaſticall as temporall, to agree and conſult vpon ſome fit perſon to be choſen King of Romaines, and for vs, and in our name, in the ſame conſultation to be made, to name a perſon, and the ſame to chooſe to be King of Romaines, and after to be Emperour: And further, in our name to take any neceſſary due, and accuſtomed oathe in that behalfe vſed, or to be vſed, as alſo to make and appoynt one or more deputies in his or their places, and them againe to reuoke at his or their willes and pleaſures; and to doe and performe all other things, which, in, or about the premiſes (vntill the ſaide conſultation, deliberation, and election be finiſhed and done) ſhal be neceſſary fit, and conuenient, as we, and in ſuch manner and forme, as we may, can, or might poſſibly doe, if we were perſonally preſent, at the ſayd conſultation, deliberation, nomination and election, holding, accounting and conferring, and by theſe preſents, for euer hereafter confirming, whatſoeuer our Deputies and Subſtitutes aforeſaid, as alſo their Deputies or Subſtitutes, or euery, or any of them in generall or particular ſhall do, act, and performe in the premiſes, in what manner ſoeuer, &c.

Of the order in Proceſsion to be holden by the Arch-biſhops, electors of the Empire.

FOr that it is before ſet downe and declared in the beginning of theſe our Conſtitutions, what order ſhall bee helde and obſerued by the Eccleſiaſticall Princes Electors, in ſitting and placing themſelues in Counſell, at the Table, and other Solemnities imperiall, where the Princes Electors are to goe with, ſit, or accompany the Emperour, or the King of Romains, wherein we thinke to haue ſufficiently declared what ſhall be done at thoſe times, and thoſe places: We thinke it conuenient to declare what order ſhall be vſed by them, when the Emperour, or the King of Romaines ſhall goe abroad or in proceſſion; Therefore wee ordayne this perpetuall order to be obſerued, That as often, and when as the Emperour or King of Romaines, with the ſaid Princes Electors, is to goe on proceſſion; and that the Banner is to be borne before him, the Arch-biſhop of Tryer ſhall goe directly next before the Emperour, or the King, and he onely that beares the Banner, ſhall goe betweene them: And when the Emperor or King goes abroade without the Banner, then the ſaid Arch-biſhop ſhall goe in like manner directly before the Emperour or King, and no man ſhall goe betweene them; and the other two Arch-biſhops, Electors ſhall obſerue their places, according to the diſtinction of their Prouinces, touching their ſitting in places aforeſaid, formerly declared, and ſo likewiſe to be obſerued in Proceſſions.

Of the order in Proceſſion to be holden by the temporall Princes Electors, and by whom the enſignes of Honour ſhall be borne.

TO declare what order is to be vſed when the Emperour or King of Romaines goes in Proceſſion, by the ſecular Princes Electors (whereof wee haue formerly ſpoken,) We ordaine and appoint, that as often as any celebration of the Emperiall aſſemblies is to be done, where the Princes Electors are to accompany the Emperour or King of Romaines when he goeth abroad, or on proceſſion, and that the imperiall or regall enſignes are to be borne before them, the Duke of Saxon, bearing the imperiall or regall ſword, ſhall goe next before the Emperour or King, betweene the Arch-Biſhop of Tryer and him; the Countie Palatine of the Rhine, ſhall beare the imperiall globe on the right hand; the Margraue of Brandenburgh, the Scepter on the left hand, and the King of Bohemia ſhall directly goe next behinde the Emperour.

Of the bleſsing to be giuen by the Arch-biſhops, in the Emperours preſence.

AS often as in the Emperours or the King of Romaines preſence, Maſſe is to be celebrated, & that the Arch-biſhops of Mentz, Tryer, and Collen, or two of them ſhall chance to be preſent, at the Confeſſion which is wont to be ſaid before Maſſe, and in reaching or offering the Goſpel to be kiſt, and the Pax after the Agnus Dei is borne about, as alſo in the Benediction, after the ſolemnitie of the Maſſe is finiſhed, and likewiſe before Maſſe is ſaid, and at grace after meate, this order ſhall be obſerued among them, which by their counſell and aduiſe we haue ſet downe, that the firſt day all theſe things ſhall be obſerued and done by the firſt, the ſecond day by the ſecond, and the third day by the third of them, and in the abſence of the firſt, ſecond, or third of them, in that caſe the ſecond ſhall doe that which the firſt or the laſt ſhould haue done, and ſo orderly as it falles out when any of them is not preſent, that they may one after another orderly by courſe obtaine that honour, and giue example vnto others to doe the like, when time ſhall fall out, and thereby incite them to the ſame conniuence and charitable inclination, in obſeruing the ſame courſe. If any man ſhall enter into any wicked conſpiracie or faction, by oath or promiſe, with any Princes, Gentlemen, or priuate and common people, or ſhall giue them any counſell or aduiſe to kill the reuerent and illuſtrious Princes Electors, eccleſiaſticall or temporall, or any of them, for they are a part or our body, he or they, that in ſuch caſe are found guilty, ſhall be puniſhed for the ſame fact of conſpiracie, as if they had really committed the fact, and were guilty of high-treaſon, by loſſe of their liues, and forfeiture of all their Lands and Goods to the Emperour, and his or their ſonnes, whoſe life, (by our ſpeciall imperiall fauour) wee ſpare, ſhall be puniſhed, for his fathers fault, hee ſhall looſe his fathers inheritance, and others ſhall enioy the ſame; he ſhall be incapable of making any will, or of receiuing any thing by another mans will, he ſhall alwaies be needy and poore, his fathers infamie ſhall euer be imputed vnto him, he ſhall neuer be admitted into any honour, nor his oath allowed to be good; and to conclude, hee ſhall be ſo miſerable, and in perpetuall pouerty, that death to him ſhall be a comfort, and life a puniſhment. And further, we command him ſo to be noted & obſerued, that without our ſpeciall licenſe, hee ſhall not at any time preſume or be permitted to haue acceſſe vnto our perſon: Touching the daughters, how many ſoeuer they be, they ſhall not haue the full fourth part of their Mothers goods; whether ſhe die inteſtate or not, wee will take order, that they ſhall haue an indifferent part thereof for their reliefe, rather then the whol • as if they were her heires; for their ſentence in truth, ought not to be ſo rigorous, that by infirmitie of ſexe are of leſſe power to commit euill. Emancipations or Feoffments made by the parents, either to the ſonnes or daughters, ſhall be voyde and of none effect, neither ſhal any fraudulent alienations, made by the ſaid parents, from the time that they once entred into the ſaid conſpiracies and factions, be good nor allowable in law: And touching their wiues dowries, if they were ſo made by their huſbands vnto them that the reuerſion thereof ſhould reuert vnto the ſonnes, after the wiues deceaſe, they ſhall acknowledge that reuerſion to reuert vnto our Exchequer, the fourth part whereof ought rather to fall vnto the daughters then to the ſonnes; and that puniſhment which we ſet downe and appoint, for the parties and their ſonnes, the ſame ſeuerity alſo ſhall be vſed towards the Seruants, Officers and Abetters of them, and of their ſonnes. But if any of them, that in the beginning and entrance into the ſaid faction, ſhall ſeeme to keepe counſell with the parties guilty, and afterward ſhall diſcloſe it, and rather ſeeke to croſſe it for our good and honour, and they alſo that ſhall haue ſought to put their malitious faction in practiſe, if at laſt, vnknowne to the other conſpirators, they ſhall ſecretly diſcloſe it, wee iudge them to be worthy of pardon and forgiueneſſe. We further ordaine, that if any conſpiracies, ſhall haue beene made againſt the ſaid Princes Electors, ſpirituall or temporall, by any man that is dead, and the ſame after his death is knowne and diſcouered, that crime concerning the hurt and danger of the life of the Princes Electors, touching the imperiall maieſtie, for if the members be hurt, the head cannot be well, nor in ſafetie, therefore wee will and commaund, that after the death of the partie that is knowne to haue beene guilty in his life time, the ſame fault ſhall be puniſhed, that the dead partie being found guilty, his memorie may be extinguiſhed, and his goods taken away from his ſucceſſours; for if any man conceiueth or imagineth miſchiefe, if followeth thereby that his minde was depraued; and therefore ſeeing that he did imagine and inuent ſuch a miſchiefe, he had no power to alienate nor infranchiſe the ſame, nor yet by right in this caſe to take order for the payment of his debts. Therefore if the members be hurt, the head muſt needes be the worſe, that is, if any conſpiracie were made againſt the Princes Electors, ſpirituall or temporall, by any man that is dead, the goods and lands of the ſaid perſon ſhall be attached, as if hee had beene executed for the ſame offence.

Touching the integritie that is to be obſerued among the Princes Electors.

IF other Princes of our Empire doe agree in vnitie of ſpirit and willes to obſerue iuſtice and equitie, that the Subiects of the Empire may thereby liue in peace and tranquilitie; much more ought the Princes Electors of the Empire to ſeeke to maintaine and preſerue the ſame; for where the danger is moſt euident, there it ought more ſpeedily to be preuented, left thoſe the pillars breaking, the whole houſe ſhould fall to decay. Therefore We decree and ordaine this to be a perpetuall Law, That as in former time, out of the memory of man, ſo in time to come, the illuſtrious and magnificent Princes, the King of Bohemia, the Earle Palatine of the Rhine, the Duke of Saxon, and the Margraue of Brandenburgh, being ſtrictly bound together by their Territories, ought not touching homages, vaſſalage, and other rights to them belonging, to be ſeperated, diuided, or in any wiſe diſmembred, but to the end that they may rather be, and remaine in their perfect integritie, their eldeſt ſonne, ſhall ſucceed them in their rights, priuiledges and dominions; vnleſſe hee ſhall chance to be diſtract of his ſences, fooliſh, or otherwiſe defectiue in mind, for the which cauſe he ought not, nor cannot gouerne others; in which caſes, being prohibited of ſucceſſion therein, the ſecond ſon (if there be any) or ſome other elder brother or coſin, that is a Temporall Prince, and next of bloud, that lineally deſcendeth from the father, ſhall be his ſucceſſor, who then ſhal deale kindly with the other brethren and ſiſters, touching their maintenance, and as hee ſhall thinke good, and according to his meanes, without diuiding or diſmembring the principality and appurtenances thereof in any ſort.

Touching the Emperours Court and Seſsions.

THat day whereon the Emperours or the King of Romaines Court is to be holden, at an houre appointed, the Princes Electors both Spirituall and Temporall, ſhall come to the Emperours, or Kings Pallace, and there the Emperour or the King ſhall put on all his Imperiall Roabes, and mounting vpon their horſes, all of them ſhall goe with the Emperour, or the King, to the place where the Court is to be holden, orderly, and in manner and forme (as it is formerly ſet downe in our Decree, to that end made;) The chiefe Chancellour, in whoſe precinct or iuriſdiction it ſhall happen to be, ſhall beare or carry all the Seales and imperiall and regall Tipes vpon a ſiluer wand: The Secular Princes Electors, ſhall beare the Scepter, the Ball, the Sword, euery one as he is orderly to doe it, according to the Decree for the ſame purpoſe made; They ſhall likewiſe beare, (going directly next before, the Arch-biſhop of Tryer, keeping his ordinary place) firſt the Crown of Aquſgranie, then the Crowne of Millaine, before the Emperour, as then apparelled in his Imperiall Roabes, which ſhall bee borne by other inferiour Princes, thereunto appointed by the Emperour. The Empreſſe or the Queene of Romaines apparelled in her Imperiall veſtures, ſhall goe and follow after the Emperour or the King of Romaines, and the King of Bohemia, (whoſe place is to goe next after the Emperour) an indifferent ſpace from them; her Ladies and Maides of Honor orderly following her to the Court.

The offices of the Princes Electors at the Solemnities which are to be obſerued in the Emperours Court at royall feaſts and aſſemblies.

VVE ordaine and appoint, that when the Emperour or King of Romaines ſhall celebrate any ſolemne feaſts, whereat the Princes Electors are to ſerue, and execute their Offices heereafter declared and ſet downe; the Emperour or the King ſitting in the Imperiall Throne, the Duke of Saxon ſhall execute his office in this manner: Before the Gate of the Emperour, or the King, there ſhall be ſet a heape of Oates, ſo high that it ſhall reach to the breaſt or ſaddle of the horſe, whereon the ſayd Duke ſhall ride, who ſhall beare in his hand a ſiluer Wand, and a Meaſure of ſiluer, which both together ſhall weigh two hundred Markes of ſiluer; and ſitting vpon his horſe, ſhall firſt fill that meaſure full of Oates, and ſhall giue it to his ſeruant that is next vnto him; which done, ſticking his ſtaffe in the Oates, hee ſhall goe backe againe; and then his vice-Marſhall, Seigneur de Papenheym, comming thither, or in his abſence, the Marſhall of the Court, ſhall diſtribute the reſt of the Oates. The Emperour or the King being gone in to ſit at the Table, the Arch-biſhops, Princes Electors, ſtanding before the Table, with the reſt of the Prelates, ſhall ſay grace, according to the order formerly ſet downe: and when grace is ſayd, the three Arch-biſhops (if they be all there) or two, or one of them, ſhall receiue the Imperiall or Regall Seale and Tipe from the Chancellor of the Court, hee in whoſe Chancellours iuriſdiction that feaſt or ſolemnitie ſhall chaunce to be celebrated, ſtanding in the middle, and the other two on either ſide of him, ſhall all lay their hands vpon the Staffe, whereon the ſaid Seale and Type hangs, and ſo carry it, and with great reuerence laye it vpon the Table before the Emperour, or the King, who preſently ſhall deliuer the ſame againe vnto them, & in whoſe Arch-chancelors precinct it ſhall then be, as aforeſaid, he ſhall carry the greater Seale about his necke, to the end of the Table, and from thence to his houſe, riding from the Emperours Court vpon his horſe.

The Staffe whereof mention was formerly made, muſt be ſiluer, waighing two hundred Markes, the third part of the value whereof euery one of the Arch-Biſhops muſt pay and contribute equally, and that Staffe with the Seales and Types, muſt preſently be giuen to the Chancelour of the Emperours Court, to vſe them when occaſion ſerueth; & after that he who by order carrying the great Seale about his necke from the Court, is gone home to his lodging, as aforeſaid, he ſhall preſently ſend it backe againe by one of his friends on horſe-backe to the Emperours Court, to the Chancelour, which according to the dignitie of the place, and the fauour which hee is to beare to the Court of the Chancerie, hee is bound freely to deliuer to the ſaid Chancelour. Then the Margraue of Brandenburgh, Lord High-Chamberlaine of the Empire, comming on horſe-backe with a Siluer Baſon (waying twelue Markes in Siluer,) full of water in his hand, and a fine cleane Towell on his arme, lighting downe, muſt giue the Emperour or King of Romaines water to waſh his hands; after him the Earle Palatine of the Rhine, muſt come on horſe-backe with foure ſiluer Platters in his hands full of meate, euery one of them waying three Markes in value, who lighting off from his horſe, muſt carrie and ſet them downe vpon the Table before the Emperour, or King; after him the King of Bohemia, chiefe Butler of the Empire, riding on a horſe, with a Napkin on his arme, and a couered cup in his hand, (waighing twelue Markes) full of Wine mixt with water, lighting downe, giueth the cup to the Emperour or King of Romaines, to drinke. Further, wee ordaine, that the Secular Princes, Electors, hauing performed their offices, the Earle of Falkenſtein, vice-Chamberlaine, ſhall take the Horſe and Baſon from the Margraue of Brandenburgh for his fee; the chiefe maſter cooke of Noremburgh, the horſe and diſhes from the Earle Palatine for his fee; the Earle of Limburgh vice-Butler, the Horſe and Cup from the King of Bohemia, for his fee; and the Baron of Papenheym, vice-Marſhall, the Horſe, Staffe, and Meaſure aforeſaid, from the Duke of Saxon for his fee, if they be there perſonally preſent, to execute their offices; but if they or any of them ſhall be abſent at that time, then the ordinary officers of the Emperours or King of Romaines Court, in their abſence, that is to ſay, in euery one of their places, that are abſent, whoſe place is to execute the ſame, as to his office belongeth, ſhall take away and haue the aforeſaid things. The Emperors table muſt be in ſuth ſort prepared & placed, that it muſt ſtand ſix foot higher then the reſt of the tables in the hall, whereat (vpon that day) the Emperour or King of Romaines muſt ſit alone. The Table whereat the Empreſſe or Queene of Romaines ſhall ſit, muſt ſtand on the one ſide of the Hall, three foote lower then the Emperours Table, and ſo many foot higher, aboue the Princes Electors, which Princes ſhall haue, their Seates or Tables, one as high as another, lower then the Emperours or Kings Table, being ſeauen in number, which ſhall ſtand, three on the right hand, and three on the left, and the ſeauenth directly before the Emperour, or King, (as in our Ordinance formerly made for the order & manner by them to be obſerued in ſitting downe in the Emperours preſence, is at large declared) and no man ſhall ſit with them at the ſaide Tables, but themſelues alone: Neyther ſhall any of the ſaide ſecular Princes Electors, hauing performed his office, ſit downe at the Table appoynted for him, as long as the reſt of his Co-electors, Princes, are performing their offices; but while any of them, or their Officers, are about the performing therof, he ſhal ſtand at the Table appointed for him, expecting the performance of their offices aforeſaid, and then euerie one of them ſhall ſit downe at his ſeuerall Table.

Alſo, we finde in the ancient Records, time out of minde, that thoſe that were our Predeceſſors thought it fit and conuenient to be obſerued, that the election of the King of Romaines, to be future Emperour, ſhould be made in the City of Franc • ford, and that his firſt Coronation ſhould bee done in the City of Aquiſgranie, and the firſt ſolemne feaſt held in the City of Noremburgh: wherefore, for many conſiderations, we ordaine and appoynt the ſame to be ſo obſerued in time to come, vnleſſe any lawfull cauſe of hinderance or impeachment thereof fall out to the contrary. And if that any of the Princes Electors Spirituall or Temporall, vpon iuſt and good occaſion; being ſummoned to be there at the ſayd feaſt, cannot come, he ſhall ſend his deputie; but of what eſtate or dignitie ſoeuer hee be that is ſo ſent for his deputy, yet hee ſhall not ſit downe at the Table, or in the ſeate of him that ſent him. Further, theſe offices and other things being performed at the ſayde Imperiall or Kingly feaſt: The maſter or Steward of the feaſt ſhall haue all the tables, boords and ſcaffolds of wood for his fee, that was prepared againſt that feaſt for the Emperour and the King, as alſo for the Electors, at the celebration thereof, according to ancient cuſtome.

What Fees the Officers are to haue when the Princes acknowledge Fealtie to the Emperour or King of Romaines.

WE ordaine this Imperiall Decree, that the Princes Electors, Spirituall and Temporall, when they acknowledge their fealty to the Emperour or the King of Romaines, ſhall not be bound to giue or pay any mony to any man, at that time, for that the mony which is due to Officers in that kinde, ſeeing the ſayd Princes Electors, are euery one ſuperior Imperiall officers, and haue their Deputies or Subſtitutes in euery one of their offices, giuen them by the Romaine Princes; it were abſurd, that vnder-Officers or Subſtitutes ſhould, vpon any colour whatſoeuer, aske or exact any fees of their Superiors, vnleſſe the ſaide Princes of their owne free wills and liberalities, will giue them any thing. But other Princes, both Eccleſiaſtical and Secular, when they (as aforeſayd) acknowledge fealty vnto the Emperour of Rome, or to the King, they ſhall giue to the Kings or the Emperors officers of the Court, ſixty and ſix markes of ſiluer, vnleſſe any of them can by ſpeciall priuiledge or indulgence, by the Emperours formerly granted to them, diſcharge themſelues thereof, and proue, that they are free from paying ſuch, or any the like fees, vſed when they acknowledged their fealties; which ſayd ſixty ſixe markes, the Maſter or Steward of the ſaid Imperiall feaſt, ſhall diuide in this manner. Firſt, reſeruing ten markes for himſelfe, hee ſhall giue, to the Emperors or Kings Chancelor of the court, ten marks, to the Maſters of the Court, Clarks, and Doctors, three markes, and to the Clarke of the Seale, for Wax and Parchment, one marke; in ſuch manner neuertheleſſe, that the Chancellor and Clarkes ſhall not take ſuch fees of the Princes, but onely to teſtifie that they haue done their fealty, and to ſignifie the ſame. The ſaid Maſter alſo ſhall giue vnto the vice-Butler of Limburgh, ten markes, to the maſter Cooke of Noremburgh, ten markes, to the vice-Marſhall of Papenheim, ten markes, and to the vice-Chamberlaine of Falkenstein, ten markes; vpon this condition neuertheleſſe, if they, and euery of them ſhall be preſent at the Court, to execute their offices according to their places; and that if they, or any of them be abſent, then the Officers of the Imperiall or Kings Court, that vſe to ſerue in thoſe Offices, ſhall ſupply their ſayd places, euery one as it falls out, and ſhall haue the ſaid fees accordingly. And when any Prince ſitting vpon an horſe or other beaſt, doth his fealty to the Emperour or the King, that horſe or beaſt, of what kinde ſoeuer it be, belongeth as a fee vnto the chiefe Marſhall, the Duke of Saxon, if he be preſent, or elſe, to the vice-Marſhall of Papenheim; and in his abſence to the Marſhall of the Emperours or Kings Court.

Foraſmuch as that for the honour of the Romaine Emperour, it is expedient, that the ſaide Emperour hauing to deale and treate with diuers Nations, of ſundry and ſeuerall Languages, ſhould vnderſtand and ſpeake the ſaid Languages: It is fit and conuenient in euery mans iudgement, that the Princes Electors, being the pillers and ſupporters of the Empire, ſhould be inſtructed and taught diuers Languages, that they may vnderſtand euery man, and be vnderſtood of them; and thereby aſſiſting the Emperour in his principall and ſpecialleſt affaires, he may the more be honoured. Therefore wee ordayne and appoint, that the illuſtrious Princes Electors, viz. the King of Bohemia, the County Palatine of the Rhine, the Duke of Saxon, and the Margraue of Brandenburgh, their ſonnes, heires, and ſucceſſors, when they can perfectly vnderſtand and ſpeake their owne mother Language, the High-Germaine tongues, at the age of ſeauen yeares they ſhall be taught to ſpeake the Latin, Italian, and Slauonian tongues, ſo that at foureteene yeares of age, by the helpe of God, they may well vnderſtand the ſame, being not onely neceſſary, but for ſpeciall cauſes moſt neceſſarie, for that thoſe Languages are much vſed in the Empire, and by them they may the eaſſier mannage the Imperiall affaires: Which, the better to effect, we thinke it fit and conuenient, that the Fathers ſhould leaue the charge of their ſonnes, if they haue any, or of their next kinſmen, whom they know muſt and ſhall be their heires and ſucceſſors in their honours and lands, and eyther ſend them to ſuch places where they may be inſtructed and taught thoſe languages, or elſe keepe ſuch Maiſters and Inſtructers for them in their houſes, together with yong Boyes that are skilfull in thoſe Languages, to beare them company, that they may (by thoſe meanes) the readilier, ſooner and perfectlier learne, and be inſtructed in the ſame. (*⁎*)