From the imperial diets held at Augsburg, Speier and Esslingen.
801) The Reichstag in Augsburg at the end of 1525/) in which the Nuremberg Diet was repeated, and at the same time a Reichstag in Speier was scheduled for the month of May 1526.
From Lünig's Imperial Archives, pari. gen. eont. I, x. 457.
By the Grace of God, we Ferdinand, Prince in Hispania, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, of Steyer, of Carinthia and Carniola, Count of Tyrol 2c., Wilhelm, Count Palatine of the Rhine, and Duke of Upper and Lower Bavaria; Casimir, Margrave of Brandenburg, of Stettin, Pomerania, Duke of the Cassubians and Wends, Burgrave of Nuremberg and Prince of Rügen; Philip, Margrave of Baden and Hochberg, Count of Spanheim; Erich, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg: hereby publicly confess and declare against all men: As the Roman Emperor's Majesty, our most gracious Lord, due to the urgent complaints which daily occur in the Holy Empire, especially the disruption and division of our holy Christian faith and religion, the tyrannical Turk daily approaches the Christian kingdoms, lands and principalities, and invades them as hard as never happened before in the times of his and his ancestors, as is manly aware and before our eyes; which the immense need to resist, along with other deficiencies and infirmities in the Holy Empire, requires for peace,
1) Seckendorf reports IÜ8t. Ud. I, p. 42a, that the Diet had only begun in November 1525. But because only one ecclesiastical prince, the bishop of Trent, had appeared in person, the Diet had been adjourned to Speier on May 1, 1526. Also Seckendorf does not know anything about the date of our document, but only the year, 1525.
The Imperial Majesty has caused the law, good police, and the handling and execution thereof, to be described here in the highest terms, with the most gracious request to do nothing better than to appear at such an Imperial Assembly in his own Imperial person. Since, however, Her Imperial Majesty is prevented from attending at this time by the highest and most burdensome obligations, and is unable to do so without irreparable and unbearable harm, Her Imperial Majesty, for the promotion of the common good and the execution of necessary acts, has decreed that we, as Her Majesty's commissioners and rulers, shall attend this Imperial Diet with a stately, full-commentary order and instruction; Which order and commission we, as obedient Christian princes, in honor of the Almighty and our holy faith, and of the Roman imperial majesty, have not unreasonably accepted for the submissiveness, promotion of the common good, and maintenance of peace, justice, good police, and unification of the Christian statutes, and have sent ourselves to the action, according to and by virtue of our authority and imperial instruction, with a completely eager mind. However, the matters in the beginning proved to be so troublesome that we, together with the electors, princes and estates, cannot consider that at this present Imperial Diet and Assembly described here, since no elector, prince, and the lesser part of prelates, counts, lords and cities of the empire personally, even some of them do not speak for themselves, we do not have the right to vote, have been excused either for themselves or by their authorized embassy with conjugal causes, since otherwise in such public, important matters for final decision and actual execution, the contents of our instruction, could have been fruitfully executed and acted upon: Therefore, for these and other excellent reasons, we as governors and commissioners, after the said electors, princes, and also common imperial estates, have agreed to the following
The following are the motions which have been moved by the Council, Union, Settlement and Resolution sent by the Holy See, in this and the following Articles, to extend this Imperial Diet; hereby extend and extend the same, in virtue and by virtue of the power and authority vested in the Roman Imperial Majesty, to be held on the first day of the month of May, in the Holy Roman Empire's city of Speier; So that the princes, princes and other estates of the empire, in view of the inevitable and highly important burdensome matters incumbent upon the holy empire, so that the German nation of this time has been more burdened than in human memory never, shall appear even in their own persons, the common useful imperial affairs, as mentioned above, in accordance with the Imperial Majesty's request, and bring them to actual execution, action and implementation, and especially that the Roman Imperial Majesty, the Holy Empire and our Christian faith may come to honor, acceptance and welfare, and also that the common man may come to peace and unity and prosper: We wish to report to and move the Roman Imperial Majesty, our most gracious Lord, with thorough discovery of all the burdens incumbent upon the Empire, in such a way that, from our foreknowledge that Her Imperial Majesty intends to leave Hispania for the Empire in the spring, we fully hope that Her Imperial Majesty will, as much as possible, attend the Imperial Diet in her own imperial person and promote Her Majesty's future.
1. And since there are many preachers who are subject to draw and divide the holy gospel and the word of God in various opinions: Let every authority, whether spiritual or secular, take diligent care and earnestly see to it that the holy gospel and the word of God be preached in their principalities, lands and territories in the meantime, according to the right true understanding and interpretation of the teachers accepted by the common Christian church, without sedition and trouble, for the preservation of God's praise, peace and unity; As was decided at the recent Imperial Diet in Nuremberg and is in the process of being passed, the preachers are to be notified of this and warned of it.
(2) To this end, all princes, rulers, and estates shall in the meantime keep themselves in their principalities, dominions, and territories with good armor, care, and custody, so that they, and each of them, may be able to prevent any outrage, rebellion, or disobedience on the part of their subjects against their sovereigns.
The people of the Holy Roman Empire may, in the beginning, without any further action or gathering of the disobedient, make and use a good resistance and opposition, and otherwise keep and show themselves evenly in other ways to the imperial and imperial peace, so that, as mentioned above, we hope to God and His omnipotence, all outrage, rebellion and disobedience will undoubtedly be prevented and will occur sufficiently.
3) And so that no one, be he of high or low rank, has to complain of the others' refusal of justice, likewise, between the present extended Imperial Diet, namely, until primam Maji, court and justice shall be held as before according to the order of the Holy Roman Empire, and no one shall be denied the same.
4. And for this reason it is further considered good and necessary, because in the recent riots and uprisings that have occurred in many places in the Holy Roman Empire, some subjects have revolted against their rulers and sovereigns and fallen away, and have thereby publicly forfeited great punishment, and in part may be considered infamous; and that some of them must be used as judges, speakers of judgements and witnesses, if law and court are to be held again, before high and lower courts, that then from all estates their subjects, who have been related to and part of the said rebellion, and have again been pardoned by sovereigns, and accepted as debtors, that they, irrespective of such their trial, be used in the courts as judges, judges and witnesses, and otherwise for all legal matters without objection, until further action, and after the decision of the intended extended Imperial Diet.
5. We have also, for the restoration, unification and unanimous settlement of our holy Christian faith, apart from which it is not well possible to raise a common peace in the holy empire and the German nation, thought it useful and necessary to maintain a common free universal council for the whole of Christendom, and have therefore undertaken to petition the Roman imperial majesty (with the most humble diligence), that Her Imperial Majesty, in view of the division and discord of our holy faith, so that this time the German nation is highly tainted and burdened, will graciously decree that a common free concilium be proclaimed and announced in the most conducive manner, whenever possible, in the appropriate places of the German nation. If this is obtained, we are undoubtedly hopeful that the Almighty will
We are to be granted his divine grace, for the constant unanimous understanding and recognition of his holy faith, from which a common peace, unity, its acceptance, welfare, the right execution of good police, and noble government in all of Christendom will surely result.
6 We therefore speak and promise to keep, to perform, to comply with and to live steadfastly, firmly, unbreakably and sincerely everything and anything that is written above, and which we as Imperial Commissioners, in virtue of our existing charter, understand. In witness whereof we, Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria 2c, Wilhelm, Duke of Bavaria, and Casimir, Margrave of Brandenburg, for ourselves, and in place of the said Lords, Philippsen, Margrave of Baden 2c, and Erichen, Duke of Brunswick, our Co-Commissarii, have affixed our seal of approval to this farewell.
7. And we, the Electors, Princes, Prelates, Counts and Lords, and also the Free and Imperial Cities of the Holy Roman Empire, embassies and holders of power, hereafter named, also publicly confess with this farewell that all and each of the above-written points and articles have been made with our good knowledge, will, counsel and discretion, We also grant, by virtue of this letter, to speak and promise in right, good, true faithfulness to keep and perform, as much as may concern or concern each of his sovereigns or friends by whom he is sent and governed, truly, steadily, firmly, sincerely, and to live up to them to the best of our ability, without danger.
8 And these are the following written messages of the Electors with names: The Archbishop of Mainz, Elector 2c., Marquard vom Stein 2c. The Archbishop of Cologne, Elector 2c., Herman, Gras zu Neuenar, Dietrich, Count zu Manderschied 2c. Of the Archbishop of Trier, Churfürst 2c., Ludwig Fürster, and Bernhard Düringer. Count Palatine Ludwig, Elector, Schenck Veltin, Lord of Erbach, and Jakob von Flenckenstein of Germersheim. Duke Hansen of Saxony, Churfürst 2c., Philipps von Feilitsch, and Hans Minkwitz. Margrave Joachims, Churfürst 2c., Christoph von Taubenheim. Ecclesiastical princes in person: Bernhard, Bishop of Trent. Message of the ecclesiastical princes: Daniel von Rebetz, Bishop of Bamberg. The Bishop of Würzburg, Bernhard von Tüngen and Niclaus Hanawer. The Bishop of Freisingen, Johann Jung, Doctor. Ditrichs von Cleen, German Master, Friedrich Sturmfeder, Commenthur zu Blumenthal. The message of the secular princes: On behalf of the House of Austria, Wilhelm Truch.
feß, Freiherr zu Walpurg; Pfalzgraf Friedrichen, Poley Probst, Doctor 2c. Wilhelm Pfalzgrafen 2c., Augustin Lösch zu Hilckershausen 2c. Ludwig Count Palatine 2c., Gregorii von Egloffstein zu Steinberg 2c. Duke Hans von Eleve 2c., Wilhelm, Baron von Rinnenberg, Meirich von Thun, and Johann von Tockheim, Doctor, called Frieß. Duke Erich of Brunswick, Hans von Berlipsen, and Doctor Conrad von Tellingshausen. Duke Heinrich of Brunswick, Ewald of Lambaden. Count Herrmann of Henneberg, his son, Count Berthold. Duke Hansen of Bavaria, Counts of Spanheim; Duke Ludwigs of Bavaria, Counts of Veldentz 2c., Margrave Philipsen of Baden 2c., Hieronymus Reusch 2c. Landgrave Philipsen of Hesse, Heinrich, Lord of Eisenberg 2c., and Balthasar of Wendelshausen, called Schrautenbach. Duke Georgen and Duke Barnim, brothers in Pomerania, Jakob Wobbesser 2c. The prelates' message: The provost of Berchtolsgaden, Hieronymus Baldung 2c. The Abbot of Werd, Peter Blaundhäufer. From the provost and chapter of Sultz, Schenck Veltin, Lord of Erbach. The free and imperial cities embassies: Cologne, Peter Bellingshäufer. According to, Leonhard Eck and Amold Weinmerßbed. Lübeck, Johann Retlinger. Frankfurt and Wetzlar, Haman von Holtzhausen. By reason of the city of Nümberg, with force Schweinfurt, Windesheim, Weißenburg am Nordgau, Goslar, Nordhausen, Christoph Detzel and Element Volckmar. Worms, Johann Wolfgang Egen, Doctor. Nördlingen, Antoni von Werd and Jakob Weidmann. Rothenburg an der Tauber, Georg Bermenter. Gelnhausen, Schenck Veltin. Augsburg with command Swabian Hall, Georg Vetter, Conrad Beuttinger and Antoni Bienmal.
And for true testimony we Marquard vom Stein, and Schenk Veltin von Erbach, for the said Archbishop of Mainz, and Palgrave Ludwigen, both, and other ecclesiastical and secular princes; and we Daniel von Rodwitz and Poley Probst, Doctor 2c., Duke Frederick, Count Palatine, and other ecclesiastical and secular princes, and the mayor and council of the city of Augsburg, on account of it and all other free and imperial cities, have affixed our seal to this farewell, which was given in the holy imperial city of Augsburg after the birth of Christ in fifteen hundred and in the fifth and twentieth year).
1) This time determination asked Seckendorf, nist. Imtb., 11b. II, p. 42 a, and says that this Reichstagsabschied has the year 1525, but no date. The alleged correction by Walch, that Seckendorf b e. p. 43 (should be p. 45, aääitio II1) found in the Weimar archives that the farewell was dated 9 Jan. 1526, is based on a misunderstanding of what was said there.
802 Emperor Carl V's mandate to the Counts of Mansfeld to appear at the Imperial Diet at Speier, scheduled for St. Martin's Day 1524, concerning Lutheran doctrine and the Turkish tax. April 18, 1524.
This document does not belong in this section, but has already been reported from word to word in the fifteenth volume, Col. 2291, in No. 747 (II.). Therefore, we leave it out here.
803. names of the princes and bishops who attended the Diet of Speier in 1526.
From Kapp's Nachlese, Theil II, p. 679.
Duke Ferdinand, the emperor's brother.
The Elector of Mainz.
The Elector of Cologne.
The Elector of Trier.
The Elector Palatine.
The Elector of Saxony.
Duke Wolfgang, brother of the Palatinate.
Duke Johann vom Hundsbruck, of the Palatinate.
Philip, Margrave of Baden.
Frederick, Count Palatine.
Philip, Prince of Hesse.
Ernst and Friedrich, Dukes of Lüneburg.
Landgrave of Leuchtenberg.
Casimir, Margrave of Brandenburg.
Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg.
Duke Erich of Brunswick.
The Bishop of Speier.
The Bishop of Würzburg.
The Bishop of Utrecht.
The Bishop at Trident.
Ernst, Margrave of Baden.
George, Count of Würtemberg.
Wilhelm, Count of Henneberg.
Wolfgang, Count of Henneberg.
Berthold, Count of Henneberg.
Hartmann, Abbot at Fulda.
Johann, Count of Henneberg, Coadjutor of the Abbot of Fulda.
The King's Envoy to Hungary.
The envoy of Venice, Carolus Contarenus.
The Roman Pabst's orator, Hieronymus Rorarius.
Among many other princes, counts and orators.
804 Presentation of the Imperial Governor and the Commissars to the Princes, Princes and Estates of the Roman Empire at the Diet of Speier, August 4, 1526.
From Kapp's Nachlese, Part II, p. 680.
By decree of the Roman Imperial and Hispanic Royal Majesty 2c, our most gracious Lord, Governor of the Holy Roman Empire, and other such of Her Majesty's Commissaries, the present Imperial Diet is to be held. The fourth day of August, the princes, princes, and other ecclesiastical and secular estates, who have appeared in their own persons and with their embassy, have been given a subsequent oral presentation. Namely, how the same Governors and Commissioners are reminded that the reported Princes, Princes and other Estates have appointed and ordered a committee on the action of this Imperial Diet. Accordingly, the same Governors and Commissarii consider that perhaps through such a committee the article concerning our holy Christian faith might initially be performed; but so that in the same Highly-Appointed Imperial Majesty, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor, the Holy Roman Emperor. Majesty. Majesty's will, and that nothing be done in which certain imperial governors and commissarii have been appointed. The same governors and commissioners have deemed it necessary, fruitful, and good to remind the reported electors, princes, and other estates of their instruction, which they have received from the Highly Revered Imperial Majesty, concerning this article concerning our holy Christian faith. Maj. which has been publicly read out from the original according to the enclosed copy.
From this, princes, princes and other estates of Imperial Majesty may take their mind and understand. Maj. may take and understand the mind, will and opinion which governors and commissarii do not behave towards the said princes, princes and estates, and their messages of friendly, inclined and gracious opinion, to promote all things; nevertheless, the said princes, princes and estates do not wish, in the other articles, to be informed of them,
1) "fourth" put by us instead of: "third" in the old edition, because in the following number we are told that the lecture happened on a "Saturday"; but this was August 4.
to the imperial governors and commissars, to the same princes, princes and estates, and also in other complaints, as far as they are not contrary to the above-mentioned document, to proceed, to advise, to conclude, and to show themselves in such a way that the said imperial majesty may graciously recognize their order and request. Majesty may graciously recognize their order and request. And in addition, report and remind your loved ones and common estates that out of gracious and heartfelt contemplation, and in view of the great, noticeable adversities, troubles and insanity, so that I, the Holy Roman Empire and the whole of Christendom have found ourselves challenged, afflicted, and in daily apostasy and ruin in these miserable times and times, gladly requested such an Imperial Diet in our own person, if we had not actually undertaken this time, and would therefore be in constant and final exertion, also directing and sending all possible diligence to this end, with the grace and help of the Almighty God, to rise from this Hispanic kingdom of ours even in a short time, and to move in our own person to Italy and to Rome, to receive there our imperial crown, as is due, and then, along with and with papal holiness, which we find no less inclined and eager to do so than ourselves. Such is the concern and grievance of our holy Christian faith and common Christianity, as well as all heresy, insanity, abuse and disorder, which have occurred in many places, but most dangerously and blasphemously in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, and are still being held by a general council and common Christian assembly and otherwise, The same shall be stopped, eradicated and prevented by a wholesome, unanimous, Christian reformation, order, statute and life, for which not only un-Christian, but also quite inhuman sedition, outrage and action are to be provided for everywhere.
And that we again want to go to the Holy Roman Empire in the most beneficial way, to show and prove help and assistance to it by restoring and establishing divine, Christian peace and praiseworthy law and order and good police, also due and needful supervision, and for this purpose we will use and require all our and our kingdoms' land and people, property, body and goods, so that nothing can be done to a Christian, laudable emperor in such burdens 1) and concerns dangerous to the Holy Roman Empire and common Christendom.
1) "Loads" set by us instead: Let.
We shall neither omit nor neglect to grant the rights to which we are entitled and to which we are entitled. And be it therefore our gracious and earnest request, desire, and command to their loved ones and common estates that they not at all undertake, act, hear, or decide anything at this time from such future day of ours and of the realm at Speier that is contrary to our holy Christian faith, or to the laudable laws or ancient conventions of the church doctrine, order, ceremonies, and customs, or ancient church doctrine, order, ceremonies, and customs, but that they, the contents of our mandate and letter of prohibition, which we, with their counsel, foreknowledge, and approval, have decided upon and issued at both imperial congresses at Worms and Nuremberg, shall be applied everywhere in the empire, We shall firmly administer, execute and enjoin the observance of this letter everywhere in the Empire, in their own principalities, lands, dominions and territories, and we shall still abstain and pardon this short time until we ourselves, as reported above, shall shortly dispose of it for papal sanctity, and together with their sanctity, as is due, and proclaim a general council and common assembly of the whole of Christendom, and in this so grave and highly important matter may do all the more 2) bravely and fruitfully, and also undertake and establish a holy, Christian, constant and necessary reformation, statute and order.
For by such particular action and segregation, insanity and disobedience are much more likely to be promoted and increased than stopped, and the hearts and wanton leaders of the poor, unintelligent congregation are more likely to be blinded and strengthened than enlightened and alleviated.
And thereupon our friendly governors and commissarii shall use all possible diligence, so that our dear nephews, sovereigns, princes and common estates may obediently comply with and carry out this proper and necessary request and order, and that we, and what they encounter here, most conducively ascribe and instruct us again, as we fraternally and graciously provide ourselves for their devotion and love, and want to recognize them with special graces at all times. Your love, devotion and charity do us special good, and our earnest opinion. Given in our city of Seville, 3) on the 23rd day of the month of Martii, Anno 2c. in the 26th year of the Roman Empire in the seventh year.
2) "the more" put by us instead of: this.
3) "Seville" put by us instead: Sivilia.
805: The imperial cities' response to the first part of the bortrag concerning the Gospel at the Diet of Speier.
From Kapp's Nachlese, Part II, p. 685.
Most Reverend, Most Serene, Highborn Princes, Most Reverend, Most Serene, Highborn Princes; Reverend, Well-Born, Noble, Strict, Highly Learned, Honorable, Most Gracious, Gracious and Favorable Lords. Your Electoral, Princely Graces, Graces and Favors verbally, Saturday next happened, 1) we, the honorable free and imperial cities sent messages, have heard in submission, and of our retention so much understood that they divided the first article, in the Imperial Instruction understood, into five points. Hereupon we give E. C. F., F. G., graces and favors submissive opinion that, after E. C. F., F. G., Grace and Favor have considered the first point, that in matters concerning our Christian faith, no change should be made here, nor should it ever be made, we, the envoys, confess that it is true that no change should be made to our true, holy faith, which is based on Christ and His holy, eternal, unchangeable Word.
On the other hand, E. C. F., F.G., Grace and favor concern that all well-established good Christian practice and order be acted upon in the meantime until a free Christian concilio, we may also well suffer: For by good Christian practice, order and usage we understand nothing else than that which is not contrary to the faith in Christ and his holy Word; but where some practices and usage or order are contrary to the same, by which the faithful in Christ are led away from their Lord and Creator into the trust of creatures through misbelief or superstition, or otherwise serve to endanger the salvation of souls, we respect E. C. F., F. G., grace and favor opinion that these should remain unchanged until the meeting of a concilii (which, in view of the present course and disagreement, may be long drawn out), and thus the believers in Christ must in the meantime remain in error and danger to their souls. But how the aforementioned customs are to be handled, and thus how they are to be changed and abolished; for this reason, our concern is that these customs should be changed and abolished.
1) August 4.
In order to prevent future errors and complications, further clarification on this point is necessary.
Thirdly, that E. C.F., F. G., graces and favors are willing to consider, together with other estates, ways and means so that the abuses in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation may be corrected or even abolished, we are not only pleased, but have received a special great joy at such an earnest and gracious request, for it is knowingly evident and unknown to all estates of the Holy Roman Empire, How extensively they have been torn down, and what mischief, mischief and trouble have arisen from them for the Holy Roman Empire in the German Nation, we have good hope that, if they were so used or put away for the better, they would not be a small help and tax to stop all the pending confusion and unpleasantness that has arisen in the Holy Roman Empire in these times.
Fourthly, concerning the punishment of those who have come here to the Imperial Majesty. Majest. Edict, established at Worms, we consider that E.C.F., F.G., Graces and Favors have graciously granted the order entirely out of gracious benevolence, but we could well imagine, where the same imperial edict should be complied with most severely, that the punishment would extend further. However, E. C. F., F. G., Grace and Favor, along with other estates, at the Imperial Diet in Nuremberg, held in 1523, highly considered and well thought out why it was not possible to live up to the mandate, and what might result from it, if it were to be lived up to, as they also gave the papal orator for an answer at that time. Thus our lords and friends from the respectable cities, along with other high estates, publicly protested and testified at the recently held Imperial Diet at Nuremberg on account of their impossibility, for which reason we hope that their Imperial Majesty, as a mild emperor, will never punish them for what is impossible and not recognized by the common estates of the Empire.
Fifthly, concerning the handling of the points mentioned, we also consider that, if the preceding points were to be dealt with and decided upon in a harmonious manner, it would be easy to find how to handle such matters, and our lords and friends of honorable free and imperial cities, as obedient members of the Holy Roman Empire, would undoubtedly show themselves submissive and willing to do so.
806 The Articles of Complaint in the Church, compiled, presented and considered at the Diet of Speier in 1526.
From Cyprian's Documents, Vol. II, p. 381. Spalatin put the title over it in his own hand. The title does not cover the content of what is offered in this document. For there are only reviews of articles; these themselves, however, are not included. The articles discussed here are essentially the same ones that were delivered at Worms in 1521 and at Nuremberg in 1523 (St. Louis edition, Vol. XV, No. 539 and 722), but new ones have been added and the order of the earlier ones has not been retained.
Sacrament. Article.
Sacrament of the altar.
On the first article:
Which contains three articles. Since the holy sacraments have their origin [from Christ], my most gracious and benevolent lords agree with these eight decrees on this article. Gentlemen agree with these eight decrees on this article, where they are of the opinion that one should hold on to the sacraments which have their origin in Christ and are attached to faith, as their own words read. For there are no more than two sacraments of Christ, namely of the altar and of baptism. For a sacrament must have two parts, namely the promise of God and a sign. As these two alone have, Rom. 4.
Otherwise, the princes and the message of the other article also agree with them that one should not preach against the sacraments. For the clear words of Christ bring with them that there is true blood and flesh of Christ.
Lastly, that such unchristian teachers, according to the content of God's word, be taught the sermon, and where it does not help, be reprimanded and forbidden.
2. to keep the masses. In this way, their Fathers and their embassies would also agree with them that the masses should be kept as they flow from Christ, as the first article states. Now, it is not found that the mass is of Christ's origin and bound to the Latin language or to some place, but is free, and that one does not take anyone's conscience captive in things outside of God's word, with wearing clothes and ceremonies in or outside of the church, Col. 2.
3. sacrament of baptism. The princes and embassies consider that it should not be evil either.
because baptism is a sacrament, that one should also leave it free with the language and place. Just as one has no other reason from God's word.
4th Confirmation. It is considered by princes and embassies not to urge people to confirm, considering that it is not a sacrament, according to the instruction of God's Word.
(5) Concerning ordination, princes and embassies consider that because ordination did not come from Christ, people should not be attached to it, nor should it be insisted upon, but that everyone should be free to act according to God's word in the things that their word brings.
6) Marriage, repentance, and vows, because they did not flow from Christ, as they themselves indicate in the first article, they consider that they should not be insisted upon.
7. abuse of the sacraments of the altar for the sake of money. That the mass should be stopped altogether, and that no one should insist on it, is considered an abuse against God's word and honor, according to the example of Ezekiel. For [the] Mass is nothing else than taking the Sacrament. Also in Tertulliano it is found that the Mass arose after the time of Christ.
8. not to overcharge with masses, because they themselves confess that there are abuses in them, and that the priest should not be overcharged with them if he has no desire to do so. That no one should be overburdened with masses, since it has been sufficiently proven that mass is nothing but a means of obtaining help, and not a sacrifice.
9. to hold the mass in a good understandable voice. This is how it must be held in German in German-speaking countries.
10 To read the Gospels and Epistles in German is agreed, only to add these words: To seek help. For this is the right thanksgiving, when we recognize God as a helper. The Sunday Collects, because they are according to God's Word, should remain, but the other Collects of the saints should be avoided.
Dropping the Canones.
11. blessings and histories, one is well satisfied.
(12) That all sacrifices are left free is assumed to have the appearance of being a good work to serve God with. Therefore, one should be diligent to provide the priests with their due care and entertainment.
13th Concilium at Constance. The Concilium of Basle has decided on the widow's remedy, so that it is considered just that which Christ has set forth. The
one agrees with them that it could not be done without difficulty, as they themselves indicate. Therefore, it is right to stick to God's word and Christ's suspension and not to seek permission anywhere, but to let everyone take it freely, as he knows how to justify it with God's word.
14. the suffragan bishops, because they have indicated before themselves that the parish priests and other ecclesiastical servants are provided with quite entertainment, it is fair that the ecclesiastical servants be provided.
15. with the funerals 2c. that one arranges a right use, that those in their life Christian lived, honestly to the earth with Christian songs are buried.
16. fathers. Because this is an exercise of faith, and in baptism it is asked that God give the child faith, it would be good that many people were present. But the number of godparents should be left to the discretion of each one, and should not be set in any law. It is especially important that no impediment to marriage from the spouses is indicated in God's Word.
17. suffragan bishops confirmation, to go about. He shall preach Paul didacticen; be it right that the pastors go about, and faithfully drive God's word into old and young people, which serves God's honor and their blessedness, to refer to the Christian profession. Even if confirmation is permissible, it would still be inappropriate for God's word to deny confirmation to children who do not understand, in view of the fact that baptism, which is much more, is given to them.
18. the consecrated interrogation and priestly age 30 years, that it would be best, the priestly authority would be according to St. Paul's order, as God clearly expresses it to St. Paul.
The nature of the clergy. It is appropriate that the priests' doctrine and life be judged according to St. Paul's report.
19 Priestly chastity. Decision of Imperial Majesty to be awaited. Majesty. What God has permitted and left free may not be subject to human permission. But that one may ask Imperial Majesty about this and other complaints. Majesty of this and other grievances of the German nation according to length and all necessity, be honest, with humble request that His Imperial Majesty will honor God. Majesty, in honor of God and for the common peace of the German nation and of the entire empire, will graciously permit, without any oppression, to carry out in all the articles indicated what they know to be preserved on the basis of God's word, and that conscience be left free in each case. For the conscience cannot and should not be influenced by any creature, neither in heaven nor on earth, but only by God and His Word.
be governed. And the one who does the antagonism is the Antichrist, as St. Paul in 2 Thess. 2 forcibly castsigates. Nicaena Synodus XXXIX.
20. tolerance or permission between spouses. Cases concerning marital status are subject to the judgment of a Christian, prudent priest. For one cannot set a certain rule in such matters, and one should not take money for it.
21. to abolish illegitimate cohabitation 1). Since illegitimacy is to be prevented, marriage is to be left free. For marriage is the only remedy against illegitimate vices. Paul: Unusquisque possideat vas suum sine fornicatione.
With the punishment it probably remains with her ausgenannten punishment.
22. not to forbid marriage to one's own people. Shall be free, but so that one asks their parents before.
23. proclamation. 2) Probably remains so.
24. to stop forbidden time of marriage. To leave free. Vox sponsi et sponsae.
25. secret marriage forbidden. Cheap, 4 Mos. 30.
26. to stop penitential and confessional abuses. It is also good. Because confession is absolution.
27. to place confessionals in suspicious [places]. Is also good.
28. not to release heresy outside of mortal peril. There is nothing better than to keep it according to Christ's order and the word of John 20. Therefore, a good explanation from God's word is needed as to who the banished heretics are.
29. repentance is to be kept according to Christ's word Lucae ult. Item, Lucae 7. Item, Johannis 5.: Vade in pace.
New foundations and pilgrimages do not penetrate to the penance. Is good.
Restore unjustified property. If it is sacred, 3) he may keep it cum absolutione, Ephes. 4) Qui furabatur, amplius non furetur.
Confessors should refrain from asking awkward questions. Is good.
The subjects shall not be forced to confess to others than their priests. It is fair for the priest to interrogate his confessors in order to experience their faith.
31. not to hear confession to monks. It is decided before by Paul that it is due to the priest, who is not a lord, but a comforter and helper of consciences and faith.
32. that the confession be kept secret. This is the previous one. It also belongs to the priest's office.
1) In Cyprian: "beysitz".
2) "Proclamation" Convocation, Proclamation.
3) Maybe: cheap?
To give the ointment only once. It has no reason in God's word. Therefore, it cannot be an exercise of faith. For faith must be directed to God's word, Romans 10.
34. the preacher half. Whoever says this is the end Christian. For God has ever said Matthäi 17, likewise 2 Petr. 1 indicates: Hic est filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi bene complacui, illum audite. Item: Omnis prophetia non est allata voluntate hominum, sed ex spiritu sancto. Item: Hoc verbum lucerna est in loco obscuro, donec lucifer oriatur in cordibus vestris. Thus Jerome and Augustine, as it is understood and repeated in their own Decrees, wrote that where there is error or ignorance in the divine Scriptures, one should run to the origin and fountain of the Hebrew and Greek languages. From this it must necessarily follow that the preachers are to be punished unreasonably and contrary to divine and human statute and order.
35. of holidays. Holidays are to be free and not commanded to anyone, Col. 2, Gal. 4, Isa. ult. Isa. 1; the other, namely, that the common man may work after the sermon is preached, also pleases us.
(36) Fasting. It is unreasonable and unchristian to impose fasts on the whole community. Therefore one cannot do better than to leave the fasts free like the holidays. As also St. Paul Col. 2 indicates. The fact that the opinion of the fathers should also have been good is of no concern to Christians. For it is not the good opinion of men that counts and stands before God, but the word of God, Deut. 6, 12, Deut. 15.
For this reason it is impossible to have cause, reason, right or authority to punish anyone for this reason. For where there is no law, there is no sin; where there is no sin, there shall be no punishment, Romans 3.
For the sake of irritation, we say that, regardless of this, one should and may eat meat freely, as permitted by Christ. Firstly, because one wants to insist on it as a necessary thing, which God has forbidden, Col. 2. Secondly, that it has now been manifoldly made known some years ago through preaching and printing that it is free on the grounds of God's Word. Thirdly, that it has now been publicly acted upon at three imperial congresses. And fourthly, that they are no longer weak, but stiff-necked, of whom Christ said Matthew 15: Sinite, caeci sunt, caecorum duces.
(37) Of seven times. 1) It is also best to leave this free. For Christ says in Matt. 6 that prayer should be short.
There is no better way to do this than to restore the church's training according to St. Paul's description, 1 Cor. 12, 13, 14, which is far behind by these present church ceremonies. For therefore it would flow from him how to appoint preachers and interpreters of Scripture for the elderly, and schoolmasters for the young, to educate them to God's service and honor, honorable arts and good morals. Since the foundation 2) is first of all established and built as a school for education and training. As then their names still bring along: Provost, Dean, Schoolmaster, Singer.
38 Visitation of the parishes. Yes, all authorities are obliged to ensure that their subjects are provided with God's word and Christian bishops and pastors, as well as with peace and justice. For it is clearly seen in the books of Kings and Paralipomenon [Chronicles] that the kings were all severely punished by God because they did not stop the ungodly worship in high places and groves.
39 From printing. It is honest and good that invective should be abolished. But that one should not draw and interpret invective further than the common right interprets and draws.
But that would ever be difficult, that one should stop the pressure completely in general. Considering that pressure is not a small gift from God, it is undoubtedly given to us by God so that many souls can be saved and won to Christ through it. For even if it works with the pressure, as with all other gifts of God, it would not be the pressure's fault, but the devil's fault, who drove it to that point.
Because it would be far too burdensome to request Roman Imperial Majesty for the sake of pressure, the authorities and powers should be ordered by virtue of their duty to do so. Majesty for the sake of printing, the authorities and powers should be commanded, by virtue of their duty, to take care that iniquitous writings and unchristian books are suppressed. Majesty and the Roman Empire, to see to it that pamphlets and unchristian books are suppressed.
If it were found by impartial linguists that the previous bibles were wrongly translated, then one might well undertake to create another translation by impartial persons: that is, to tolerate a translation next to the other of the truth and strengthening, as was done at the time of St. Jerome with the Hexaplis.
1) "Seven times" == üoruo vauonieae.
2) "Foundation" == Pens.
40. of the lesser schools. It is Christian and right that children's schools be set up for the best, in view of the fact that nothing on earth is more important to all classes than that the schools be well ordered, as is further reported in the 39th article.
The Secular Complaint from the See of Rome, and the Clergy Forbidden.
1. marriage and dispensation.
Because this matter concerns the external clans, it would be best that in this case the papal dispensation be left idle, and that the secular authorities be in need of the order of Moses, 3 Mos. at the 18th; considered that Moses, nevertheless, concerns in this case secular good government.
1) No one should or should not be prevented from marrying. For if spouses were to hinder it, it would have to hinder all those who also teach and instruct people in the faith. For they are all fathers, as Paul says in Gal. 4: In Christo vos genui per evangelion. 1 Cor. 4.
From the forbidden time.
This article is aimed before at marriage. Shall also be free, for the sake of God's Word.
3rd indulgence abused. It is not allowed. For we have the only and best indulgence through Christ alone, Rom.
4. stationirer. The same article is also good.
5. to abolish the order of beggars. According to Christ's order, beggars are not to be admitted at all, Luc. 10, likewise Sed magis operetur, ut habeat, unde victum praestet necessitatem patienti. For Christian poverty is not in taking, or begging, or not having, but in not hanging on to temporal goods and in giving, as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David 2c.
6. foreign beggars. This is a good article and is based on Deut. 15, for every country shall feed and sustain its poor.
With the poor students, it also probably remains with their concerns.
7. inheritance, pledge not to be drawn to Rome 2c. It is also reasonable. For one has judges
1) From here on, Cyprian indicates by numbers in the margin the number of the article to which the report refers. However, since the complaints submitted to Worms are not numbered, but those submitted to Nuremberg are in a different order than here, we, like Walch, have not set the numbers.
enough in such matters in secular judges, as the book of Judges well proves.
8. from the papal conservators. Remains cheap also in doing so, from causes indicated in the next article.
9. exemption. It is also Christian and reasonable, according to the word of Pauli Rom. 13: Omnis anima subjecta sit potentiis superioribus. 1 Petr. 2.
(10) Ecclesiastical fiefs shall not be granted by the See of Rome. This is also reasonable. For the appointment of ecclesiastical services is due to the authorities by right and to the community by necessity.
11. to dismiss commendations. This is right and proper. For it is nothing else than the evil covetousness, which is true idolatry, as Paul often calls it.
12. to abolish referenda and pensions. This is also honest and fine, for legitimate reasons. For if one is good, the other is also good.
13. that the bishops are obliged to their chapters for the sake of the benefices.
14 The commissions and incorporation of the prelatures are also decreed.
15 The foundations of the monasteries are based on the nobility alone. It also remains cheap.
16. annats are to go off and confirmation. This is also good. For the Christian and right confirmation of the bishops 2c. is with the authorities and the community, based on God's word.
The clergy, places of worship and help against the Turks are to be postponed. In the name of God, it remains so.
The consecrated shall not be exempt from secular judicial compulsion. This article also remains.
Because the marriage state also affects the consciences and is a spiritual court, the authorities together with their pastor, who is the spiritual judge, should have an appointment in these matters. Because one cannot give a measure to it.
The spiritual maleficence half. It is fair to stick to St. Paul's opinion, Rom. 13. 1 Petr. 2.
Nothing better can be done with profanation than to keep what Paul indicates in 1 Cor. 5.
19. that no one should be banned except for mortal sin. This is also Christian. For Paul writes ad Titum: Haereticum hominem devita. 1 Corinthians 5: That therefore the ban should not be used in any way but for apostasy from the faith and the gospel.
20. that the ban should not be prevented by the secular authorities. In this the order of St. Paul is kept, 1 Cor. 5, that
a priest, together with the authorities and the congregation, cast out the ban. For he says in the same place: Conjuncto spiritu meo cum spiritu vestro.
No one holds and carries out spiritual judgment more cheaply than every pastor according to God's Word.
21) Of an authority and 1) of the houses of chivalry in Apulia and Sicily. Of the same order is to be said just what is said of the other orders, where one otherwise wants to give more to God's word place and consequence, than outward appearance.
Of the complaints that the secular have against the archbishops.
1. from the useless jnterdicts. Since spiritual persons, as stated above on the basis of the divine word Rom. 13, are subject to the sword like the common man, it is equally right. For God has not made the same distinction, but is before God one as the other, spiritually as Discordiam inter ordinem et plebem ecclesiae introduxit autoritas.
2. to celebrate St. Nicholas and St. Mary. Remains well and reasonably in freedom, as with the an-
3) The decency of the Prussian Article 2) thus remains until its occasion.
4. the conservatores half is indicated above.
5. change of the spiritual goods. Remain that spiritual and worldly goods are equal worldly goods. For they are equal. Vere spiritualia sunt fides, spes, charitas. 2 Cor. 13.
6. of the goods abandoned by the priests. Because they are secular, and otherwise of common right, it is fair to divide the goods to the next of kin, Nisi relinquant uxores et liberos. For they are subject to the secular rights as well as the laity, also from God's creature and [order] 3) as well as other people of the wives and children, and inheritances to them, capable of inheriting.
7. the secular estates purchased by the clergy. It is also reasonable, considering that according to the aforementioned imperial rights, the estates follow with their burdens.
1) The words: "from an authority and", which are added to the preceding in Cyprian and in the old edition of Walch, we have drawn here. Compare St. Louis edition, vol. XV, 1742, likewise there Col. 2162.
2) This will refer to the 29th article of the complaints handed over at Nuremberg. See St. Louis edition, vol. XV, 2162 f.
3) Added by us. A gap is indicated for Cyprian.
8. from awarding new foundation. It remains cheap.
9. subsidies and investments. This is also done according to the order of divine rights.
10 Not to be consecrated by unlearned priests. This is also reasonable. For a church servant should be learned, as St. Paul writes.
(11) The reconciliation of the desecrated churches cannot be better advised, [than] that the authorities take appropriate measures and countermeasures, so that such crimes no longer occur. For the authorities bear the sword for this reason. Rom. 13.
The income of new pilgrimage is true, as they themselves write. So that it is certain that God is present in His Word and that the devil must depart, Marc. 5 and Luc. 11.
13. how they take money from the virgin monasteries, provostries unseemly^. It is thus decreed. For such drudgeries have been much in some countries.
14. that abbots and abbesses are ordained in vain. Remain with the foregoing, speaking of monks and nuns. For it does not come from Christ. It is also not dependent on faith without means.
15 The complaints of the officials are stopped, and what the officials have done so far, they are ordered to pious priests, as they have reason from the divine word, 1 and 2 Tim. and Titum.
16. the laymen are not drawn before ecclesiastical courts, as only men know.
Some articles remain cheap in their set order, considered that it is cheap and right.
17. the reformation of ecclesiastical court is due to the parish priests, for the reasons indicated above.
18) That the bishops should not be entangled by their capitulars before they come to the regiment. It is also good.
In matters concerning conscience, not to take money for repentance. This is also reasonable. Neither should repentance be imposed, because repentance is never, as Christ himself says: Vade et noli amplius peccare, Joh. 8.
20. that no one should do new public penance for secret sins. It is reasonable. De occultis non judicat Ecclesia.
21 The spiritual judge's unjust interest in marriage is justly dismissed altogether, in view of the fact that it is a vain avarice.
22 The fact that the ecclesiastics want to bar secular jurisdiction is justified. For initio malum temporis tractu non convalescit
(23) That ecclesiastical judges tolerate illegitimate cohabitation shall be stopped together with usury.
24. senders 1) and weekly allowance of craftsmen shall also be turned off.
25 The penalty, called Bannales, is given by St. Paul's saying 1 Cor. 7: Mari- tus' uxori debitum reddat. There is no day exempt.
26. to prevent unreasonable detentions. This is also fair.
27. that one should not proceed 6x otUoio. Is also cheap.
28. that one should not need a foreign advocate in spiritual matters, because it concerns the conscience and belongs to the parish priests.
(29) The sacrament should not be denied to the poor for any reason other than unbelief.
30 The reprimand in Senden should be dismissed, because it has served more for annoyance than for good.
31. that no one should buy the burial 2c. For it is ever inequitable to do this and other things for the sake of money.
32) The fact that some clergymen keep a housekeeping business. This is also fair. For St. Paul says: Dei servum non oportet implicitum esse secu- laribus negotiis.
33 That the sick, to the detriment of the heirs, should not be deprived of their wills. This is also reasonable. For such torture and scraping are of no use at all.
34. that mendicant orders shall be subject to the ordinaries. Yes, they are subject to all authorities, according to this saying Rom. 13.
35 That honest persons be placed in the virgin monasteries. It is right, and especially so, that no nuns be forced to remain there all their lives, as little as the monks, in view of the fact that the monasteries and convents are nothing other than schools of learning and discipline from their first beginning.
The secular estates are concerned that the bishops of the empire are so highly committed to the Roman see. This is also reasonable. For since the archbishops and bishops of the Roman Empire want to be members, and are in part councillors of the Empire, it is also their duty to follow the Roman Emperor's Majesty and not the Roman See, in view of the fact, as has been indicated many times before, that there is no other authority but the temporal one. 2c.
1) In Cyprian: "Sendthern". Compare St. Louis edition, vol. XV, 2175, article 64.
807 An article concerning the free, Christian and impartial Concilium.
From Kapp's Nachlese, Theil II, p. 688.
The article concerning the free, Christian and impartial concilium should thus be observed until a free, Christian and impartial concilium has faithfully spoken about, decided upon and established how, on the basis and continuance of God's word, the ceremonies may be ordered by God's help, according to the occasion of each principality, dominion and country, and as the common peace and unity of the country may require.
For the reason that a Christian congregation has power and reason to do this, and should also judge and act according to God's word, to bring the infants and children further in their faith, it is considered that the ceremonies are nothing other than child rearing, which one may set up and do according to occasion, person, time and place, according to God's word and approval, as it is considered and found best.
808. article of what is to be abolished except for a free, Christian and impartial concilium.
From Kapp's Nachlese, Theil II, p. 689.
Except for a free, Christian and impartial Concilium.
I. Mendicants and ceremonies.
2. the things moved to Rome.
3. let mendicant monks and nuns die off.
4. clumsy pastors and parish administrators.
5. to abolish incorporation and absenteeism of pastors, and to place the authorities around pastors 2c.
The priest 2c. public fornication, and whether they are reminded and admonished by divine Scripture to enter into the marital state, even if at times they are well inclined to do so, as it would undoubtedly be better for a priest who does not abstain from women, as well as a layman, to have his wife, and to live honorably, 2) one does not want to tolerate this. But the other, their misconduct, adultery and fornication, is left alone; therefore it is considered necessary and useful that the clergy be left free to marry henceforth, and that those who engage in fornication and fornication over it be allowed to marry.
2) "will" put by us instead of "because" in the old edition.
If a man enters into adultery, he will be duly punished by the secular judge, like other seculars.
7 Unruly quarrel on spiritual freedom, that secular judge has to punish for maleficence. This will undoubtedly not be burdensome for the pious clergy, and will urge the wicked to obey.
8. that the priests are to be arrested in civil duties.
9. the clergy interest.
10. the use of hospitals to be communden.
11th Pontifical Conservatores.
12. exemtores.
13. ban and to abstain from secular property.
14. spiritual court.
15. to pay the tithe of the official.
16th holiday.
17. food free, sermon free.
18. ceremonies, concilium.
809: The farewell and resolution of the Imperial Diet at Speier, Aug. 27, 1526, made public.
From Lünig's Imperial Archives, pari. Mn. cout. I., p. 466.
We Ferdinand by the Grace of God, Prince and Jnfant in Hispania, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy 2c., Count of Habsburg, of Flanders and Tyrol 2c., and from the same graces we Philip, Margrave of Baden, Bernhard, Bishop of Trent, Casimir, Margrave of Brandenburg, of Stettin, Pomerania, Duke of the Cassuben and Wenden, Burgrave of Nuremberg and Prince of Rügen, and Erich, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg 2c., of the Most Sublime, Great, Highborn Prince and Lord, Mr. Caroli the Fifth, elected Roman Emperor, our most gracious Lord, decreed and sovereign governors in the Roman Empire, and commissioners decreed to the crazy Imperial Diet here at Speier, publicly confess and declare with this letter: After the above-mentioned Roman imperial majesty has announced and proclaimed a general imperial diet and assembly on St. Michael's Day, in the year 1525, to be held in Augsburg, which day was later, for obvious marital reasons, moved and postponed by us, with the advice and consent of the electors, princes, estates and the holy empire's embassies, which were then in Augsburg, to the first day of May next to Speier. Thereupon
we have appeared in our own person, as appointed imperial governors and commissaries, such as princes, princes and estates of the Holy Roman Empire, and their embassies in brave numbers. That we therefore, in place of and on account of the most illustrious Roman Imperial Majesty, together with the presently reported Princes, Princes, Prelates, Counts and Estates of the Holy Roman Empire and the same embassies, have written out the points and articles in Her Imperial Majesty's writ, and especially the instructions sent to us by the Commissars, taken them in hand, discussed them with timely and brave counsel, and from them united and compared all of our past counsels and actions, as is written from article to article hereafter.
1. And firstly, after Imperial Majesty's Instruction expresses and contains in particular that from this Imperial Diet, in matters concerning the holy Christian faith and religion, also concerning the ceremonies and well-established customs of the holy Christian church, no innovation or determination shall be made, and then it is judged and considered that the discord is not the least cause of the previous outrage of the common man, as well as of all the discord that now exists in the German nation: Thus, with timely brave counsel, it is not to be feared that there will be even greater upheaval and indignation between the high and low estates. Accordingly, and so that in such a way a unanimous, uniform understanding in the Christian faith is made, also peace and unity are planted and maintained in the German nation between all the estates, we, also princes, rulers and estates, have no more fruitful, better, more agreeable and more skillful way of proceeding, assessing and deciding on this than through a free general council, or at least a national assembly, which is to be held in a year or a year and a half in German lands at the earliest. So that this may proceed in the most beneficial way, we, the Electors, Princes and Estates, have duly sent a tresfentlicher Botschaft, namely N. N. and N., to Imperial Majesty, with urgent instructions, for the reasons stated therein, to request and entreat Her Imperial Majesty most humbly to take the heavy burden of the German nation, on account of such discord and misunderstanding, graciously to heed and consider it, to dispose of it most beneficially in its own person in the German nation, to have and procure understanding, so that a General Council or at least a National Assembly may be announced in definite form.
Time, without, long elevator would like to be made, all further contents of the same Instruction.
2. And because on such message, in consideration of the distance of the way, opportunity of the landscape, also future winter time, not a small presentation and costs (as we the overriding) belongs: So, a rather common notice to princes, rulers and estates is considered good and made, so that each one shall deliver his due share, between All Saints' Day and the next, to the mayor and council of the city of Speier, as then the same share and place of payment shall be indicated to each one in writings.
3) And the same sent ones shall, on their return, give us Archduke Ferdinand, governor, and our uncle, lord and friend, the Cardinal and Archbishop of Mainz, as archchancellor, their action, and what they encountered, report and notify the others of it.
4. Accordingly, we, also Princes, Princes and Estates and their embassies, have now unanimously agreed and united at this Imperial Diet, in the meantime of the Concilii, or National Assembly, nevertheless with our subjects, that each of us, in matters in which the edict of the Imperial Majesty was issued at the Imperial Diet held at Worms, may be charged to live, govern and hold himself in such a way as each of us hopes and trusts to answer for against God and the Imperial Majesty.
5. On the other hand, when in various years frightening, outrageous and unchristian rebellion of the subjects occurred and arose almost in all places of the Upper German nation against the supreme and honorable power, to noticeable Christian bloodshed, devastation and destruction of country and people; For this reason, Her Imperial Majesty, in her instruction issued for this Imperial Diet, has expressly wished and commanded to have serious understanding, so that in the future such rebellion and outrage of the subjects may be prevented and occur. Because we now owe our obedience to Her Imperial Majesty in this matter! We have pledged and promised each other to her Imperial Majesty for submissive obedience and favor, also to the German nation, to the same subjects, and to the common good, that each of us shall and will keep and maintain the land peace established beforehand by the Emperor and the Holy Roman Empire at Worms with good honor and loyalty, so that neither may wage war against the other, rob the other, see the other, invade the other, besiege the other,
Neither shall any man take, descend, burn or otherwise damage another's towns, castles and villages, nor shall any man by force or deed spoil, deprive or force another's property, either by himself or by anyone else; In addition, no one shall dangerously contain or push away the other's enemy and damaging party, nor show help, advice and assistance in any way; but whoever has to speak to the other shall do so with due rights, all other contents, even with penalty and punishment of the affected land peace.
6. And although the common man and subjects in past rebellion have hardly forgotten themselves, and acted rudely against their authorities: However, in order that they may feel the grace and mercy of their superiors and mediators, [more] than their [unreasonable] 1) deed and action, every authority shall have power and authority to restore their subjects, who have gone into grace and disgrace and have been punished, to the former state of their honors, according to opportunity and their pleasure, to qualify them and make them competent, to have council and court, to give advice and to hold office, to hear them and others graciously at any time in their concerns and complaints, and to give gracious and beneficial decisions according to the form of the matter. They also by themselves, their bailiffs, mayors and other servants not unreasonably complain, but who may suffer right to remain.
7. If some of the subjects of their sovereignty have insulted or damaged someone, and for this reason they do not wish to be relieved of the obligation to pay compensation and support, then they shall reimburse the damaged party for the damage inflicted, according to the assessment of their ordinary authority under which they sat, or at the Imperial Court of Appeal, and what is thus mitigated by their sovereignty, as now reported, it shall remain so, and the damaged party shall therefore continue to leave the other damaging party unchallenged, whether with or without right, in some manner. If one party believes to be adversely affected by a decision or judgment rendered before the ordinary judge, he shall be free to use his appeal in the ordinary way, even up to the Court of Appeal (Kammergericht) inclusive. 2) And hereby the contracts shall be subject to the same legal provisions. And herewith the contracts and decrees which the weaker judge has made shall be
1) "unreasonable" put by us to give sense. Compare § 8.
2) "unbenommen" put by us instead of: taken over.
bische Bund made in Bavarian indignation, nothing withdrawn or broken off.
(8) Every authority shall, on the occasion of every trial, show itself towards those who have left the peasant revolt, so that the subjects may feel and find more mercy and kindness than severity and disfavor, as much as they always want to suffer. However, without special public cause and movement, which are in the concern and power of all authorities, those who have been the instigators, winders, and main supporters of such riots, or special promoters, are not to be accepted for any pardons, nor are they to be housed, harbored, or pushed away by anyone, but rather, if they enter, they are to be dealt with and punished seriously according to their experience, as is appropriate. In addition, the subjects shall behave obediently, faithfully, peacefully, and as they are obliged to do, and they shall be instructed in their duty and oath, and they shall not give cause for their own destruction and harm.
9. Thereupon we, together with princes, princes, prelates, counts and estates of imperial majesty, have united in submissive obedience and have agreed, where over the above-mentioned shown mercy and gentleness of some superiority subjects, ecclesiastical or secular status, If, after the above-mentioned clemency shown by some subjects of ecclesiastical or secular status, they gather together, again arouse rebellion and insurrection, then the abutting electors, princes, counts and other authorities, in which the rebellion has arisen, shall request, from time and place, also to the most urgent on horseback and on foot, to come to the rescue and help. And if the same help, so requested, would be too weak for the riot that has arisen, then the other next-sitting princes, lords and estates shall, upon request, as above, in the same way, as strongly as they can, also go to silence the disobedient rioters again, to bring them into obedience, and to punish them for the offence, and in this we shall all show ourselves to be no different from one another and hold ourselves to be no different than if such rebellion and insurrection had occurred and happened in each of our own principalities, dominions and territories, and to the extent that each would have liked to have done and to have taken from the other.
(10) In order that there may be no confusion or misunderstanding between the helper and the one who has been helped, the help of the princes, prelates, counts or estates required for the rescue and help of the other shall be given to the sovereignty of the principality, dominion or territory.
If the riot has arisen, the ruler shall provide the strongest assistance possible, on horseback and on foot, and, if necessary, at his own expense and damage, for one month against the disobedient subjects; however, in such a month, the arrival and departure shall be counted. If, however, such assistance would extend over a month and be delayed, then the one to whom the assistance would have been rendered shall unite and settle with the helper for the assistance he will do and render over the month. In addition, the helper, against whom he has helped, is to keep and show himself so leidlich, friendly and neighborly such help half, as he then from others in the same case gladly had and would have done.
11. And after consideration and deliberation at this present Imperial Diet, as in many places the ecclesiastics or seculars are in danger of their life and limb, and their interest, rent, validity and tithes are held against them, and they are prevented from entering and lending, and no one is to be spoliated and deprived of his own against the law: Every authority, ecclesiastical or secular, shall faithfully defend, protect and shield its subjects, ecclesiastical or secular, from violence and injustice, according to their own content and by virtue of the order established by the peace of the land or the Holy Roman Empire, so that peace, unity and equality may be maintained between ecclesiastics and seculars, and neither ecclesiastics nor seculars may have cause to complain of improper administration or appointment. They shall also otherwise behave in a friendly and skilful manner towards each other, as is fitting for each class.
12. Furthermore, as the royal dignity of Hungary, an urgent message has been prepared here for this Imperial Diet, which, on the basis of the credence handed over to us, opens up and makes known to us how the enemy of the Christian name and faith, the Turk, with great power, on horseback and on foot, in his own person, is approaching to invade the Kingdom of Hungary and to bring it under his cruel power, with the highest request and demand as a Christian king, was about to invade the Kingdom of Hungary and bring it under his cruel power, with the highest request and entreaty not to abandon their love and royal dignity, as a Christian king, in such extreme distress, with hasty, brave, comforting help, and especially as granted above. And after we have received certain and more difficult news and reports from the Crown of Hungary and elsewhere in Speier, that everything, as mentioned above, is somewhat difficult, and in particular that the Turk has more violently attacked the fortifications of Peterwardin and other castles.
The Turkish army has conquered the German land, and no longer has any necessary fortification in front of it, but has an even approach to the furnace and the German nation, so that no other resistance, consolation, help, or anything else can be provided, except a battle in the field, and that therefore all welfare and misfortune are in God's hands and on the happiness of the latter: We, together with the princes, lords and estates, have considered the great power and authority of the Turk; even if he (since God is the Almighty for him) should prevail in such a battle, retain the victory, and conquer Hungary, that he would then soon (after he had thereby increased his power and authority somewhat) move on to the German nation, and after that it would be difficult to resist him. Therefore, not only for the protection and protection of our own lands and people, but also in a Christian and fair manner, we have considered and considered it necessary not to leave the crown and the kingdom of Hungary, as a Christian kingdom, at this time with help, and for this reason, for the urgent help of the Crown of Hungary, the two-fourths of the twenty thousand on foot, which at the recently held Imperial Diet in Worms were given to the Roman Emperor's Majesty for her campaign in Rome, and which were given to the Crown of Hungary at the Imperial Diet in 1523. Now, again, it has been promised and granted for six months. And thereupon, because the trade may not suffer any delay, but requires great haste, captains have been placed here who are to accept such servants and lead and use them down into Hungary against the Turks. For the reasons now mentioned and such haste, the above-mentioned two-fourths have also been paid in one money, which money, according to the tender, is due to each state in the Holy Roman Empire in such two-fourths six months, half of which is to be paid on St. Michael's Day. Half of it is to be paid on St. Michael's Day and the other half is to be paid on St. Martin's Day next thereafter to the mayors and councillors of Augsburg, Nuremberg, Frankfurt and Strasbourg, whichever city is most convenient for each estate. And 15 batz, 60 kreuzer, 21 Meissen groschen and 26 albus shall be paid for the florin, which shall receive the same, and for these hereafter named, by reason of electors, ecclesiastical and secular princes, prelates, counts and estates, Counts and Estates, namely Philipsen von Gundheim, Ulrich Schellenberg, Knight, Bastian Schilling, Knight, and Christoffel Plarer, all four of the Imperial Regiment Councillors, or who would be appointed in place of the Reg[iments-Councillors], the
we have specially decreed to receive such money, and nowhere else but for the maintenance of such two quarters on foot, to go out for six months, to hand and to answer. They shall also render their due account thereof to princes, sovereigns and estates. The Imperial Majesty's Fiscal has issued a serious order that anyone who is found to be in default for the purposes indicated and who does not pay his due share is to proceed against them in the proper manner.
13. We, the governors and commissars, princes, princes and estates of the Holy Roman Empire, have also united and decided, as our letter also states, if such an addition of the two fourths reported above does not proceed this summer, or if such people are attracted and demanded again before the end of the six months, that each estate, according to a good, modest account, shall again receive its fee without hindrance or entry; As we, also the princes, princes and estates of the Holy Roman Empire, have bound the above-mentioned four appointed collectors especially in their duty to keep such money with them in this case and not to turn it back or use it at anyone's request or commandment until a future Imperial Diet; Then, according to good account, the number of each estate shall certainly be given again by the princes, princes, prelates, counts and estates of the realm appearing there, and no one shall make any demand on anyone else for the sake of his investment, except on us governors and commissars, as well as on princes, princes, prelates, counts and estates of the realm altogether. As we have all agreed and promised herewith, if the mayors and councillors of the above-mentioned cities of Augsburg, Nuremberg, Strasbourg and Frankfurt are approached and challenged by anyone on account of the aforementioned ordered receipt of such money, legally and physically, or otherwise suffer or incur any damage on account of this, we shall represent them in this matter, answer for it, and hold them harmless without any risk.
14 And so that such urgent help may be the more fruitfully applied and rendered, we have made the well-born Georgen, Count of Wertheim, Philippsen von Feilitsch, Knight, and Veit Arenbergers, with instruction, credence, and several articles, to the royal dignity of Hungary, to confer and compare with their beloved and royal dignities in form and measure, how such servants may be of most use and benefit.
The same decrees shall be used most fruitfully, as this was also discussed at the above-mentioned Imperial Diet at Nuremberg, and so acted, that the same decrees, what they hear and hear, and what will arise for them to answer, about how it is happening everywhere with the Turk's actions and actions, and also the resistance of the Hungarians, shall inform us, Archduke Ferdinand, governor 2c., as the warlord appointed for these matters, to inform our lord and friend, the Cardinal and Archbishop of Mainz, Elector 2c., as the Archchancellor, and to report this to others.
15. It has also been especially unanimously decided and considered good where the affairs of this war exercise of the Crown of Hungary against the Turk would be such that they would not have to use such help of the two fourths, as where the Turk (since God Almighty is for) conquers the Kingdom of Hungary, or obtains a treaty of his liking, or turns from Hungary to the House of Austria or other adjacent principalities with his people of war, that then such aid should be used to the House of Austria or other adjacent principalities where it is most necessary.
16. Since the resolution of the recently held Imperial Diet at Nuremberg contains, among other things, that we, the governor together with the appointed regiment, should give consideration, and think of ways and means, how and to what extent a constant and persistent maintenance of the regiment and the Court of Appeal might be invented; For this reason, at the present Imperial Diet, we submitted a number of points and articles in writings, of which we, together with the Electors, Princes and Estates, have now considered and discussed most diligently and faithfully, which of the proposed ways and means would be least burdensome and most beneficial to all Estates of the Empire. For excellent reasons, however, we have not been able or willing to finally decide on any of these points, but rather have directed and placed them in the orderly regiment for further consideration and advice.
In order that the established Regiment and Court of Appeal may continue to exist in essence, and that the Holy Empire of the German Nation may remain in law, peace, and unity, the Princes, Princes, and Estates, as well as their skilled embassies, have granted and promised that the Regiment and Court of Appeal will continue from Pentecost onwards, at a different time from the two years previously granted at Nuremberg, until the next future St. Michael's Day in the year 1527,
which together shall bear six and a half quarters of a year, in the form and measure granted at the recent Imperial Diet at Nuremberg, namely half of it, and the other half of it by the Emperor's Majesty. And the payment shall be made to two ends, namely in the two Frankfurt fairs. And the first goal of such payment shall take place at the next Frankfurt Lenten Fair in the year 1527, and shall be immediately and irresistibly placed and paid behind the mayor and council of the cities of Augsburg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, or Speier, which money shall be delivered and handed over to the collectors who have been specially ordered to do so; the same collectors shall also do a thorough and fair accounting of it at the end of the six and a half quarter year.
The order in which the six Electors and twelve Princes sit, in their own persons and through their councillors, every quarter, shall also be observed. And namely, after in the Nuremberg parting in the order, Count Palatine Ludwigen, Elector, the Bishop of Bamberg, and Duke Georgen of Saxony are to sit, now on Michaelmas, next coming, the Bishop of Bamberg, as the spiritual prince, shall sit in his own person, and Palatinate and Saxony shall send their councils.
The other quarter of the year, which is due to the Archbishop of Treves, the Bishop of Wuerzburg, and Duke Wilhelm in Upper and Lower Bavaria, Duke Wilhelm, as the secular prince, shall sit, and Treves and Wuerzburg shall send their advisors.
The third quarter of the year in which Duke Hans of Saxony, Elector and Bishop of Speier, and Margrave Casimir of Brandenburg sit, the Elector of Saxony shall sit in his own person, and Speier and Brandenburg shall send their councils.
The fourth and last quarter of the year in which the Archbishop of Cologne, Bishop of Strasbourg, and Duke Heinrich of Mechelburg sit, the Bishop of Strasbourg, as the spiritual prince, shall sit in his own person, and Cologne and Mechelburg shall send their councils.
22 However, the prelates have been granted, at their diligent request, that they may appoint a persistent, skilful person to be in charge of the regiment for all their sakes. And governors and regiment shall have power and authority to act in all form and measure, by virtue of the regimental order, established at the Imperial Diet held at Worms, and subsequently amended at the Imperial Diet at Nuremberg in the year 1524, so that the same amendment shall be observed by them.
(23) And we, together with the princes, princes and estates, have changed the regiment and the court of review here to Speier for movable reasons, and thereupon have given the administrators of both regiment and court of review chambers, through our uncle, lord and friend, the Cardinal and Archbishop of Mainz, as the Archchancellor, orders to dispose of the chancery acts and actions, together with the persons belonging to them, to Speier in the most beneficial way, so that they will be here at Speier before St. Michael's Day. The Archchancellor has been ordered to dispose of the chancery acts and actions together with the persons belonging to them in Speier in the most favorable manner, so that they will be here in Speier before St. Michael's Day, so that all matters and actions will be carried out as they should be.
24th And after all kinds of infirmities and deficiencies were found in the imperial regiment and chamber court, so that the necessity requires to do them reformation, and to give good order, and such may not happen now shortly half of the time: so we have united and agreed that we, Archduke Ferdinand, in place of and on behalf of imperial majesty, our hosts, lords and friends, Mr. Albrecht, Cardinal and Archbishop of Mainz 2c, Mr. Ludwig, Count Palatine on the Rhine, Duke in Bavaria 2c., both Electors, each of us a Councillor; our hosts and friends, Mr. Georg, Bishop of Speier, and Mr. Hans, Duke in Bavaria, cousins, both Counts Palatine 2c., our friend, Mr. Wilhelm, Bishop of Strasbourg, Landgrave in Alsace, and Philipp, Margrave of Baden 2c., also each decree a council for such visitation and reformation, all of which will take place on St. Michael's Day. They shall all appear on St. Michael's Day at Speier, or wherever there will be persons at the time of the regiment or chamber court, and shall have complete authority and command from us, the imperial governor and commissaries, as well as from princes, princes and estates, which we also give them here with this farewell, both to visit the regiment and the chamber court with the utmost diligence of necessity, and to reform it most diligently and best, in persons and other defects and infirmities most faithfully, to put it in good useful order, as befits it.
Item 25: When at the Diet of 1523. The above-mentioned two-fourths of the twenty thousand men were granted firstly to the Crown of Hungary to help against the Turks, and at that time many of the princes, princes, prelates, counts and estates complained about the excessive and unequal support, and counts and estates complained about the excessive and unequal attacks, and did not consent to the same aid of the two fourths in any other way than that the remaining part of the twenty thousand on foot, also four thousand on horseback, which will be sent hereafter, should not be used.
shall not grant any new facility or give anything for this purpose, unless such proposals had previously been reduced according to each estate's opportunity and fortune 2c.; and because of the present further granted maintenance of the regiment and chamber court, some electors, princes and the counts in the Wetterau, in Swabia, Franconia, the Harz and Thuringia and other estates have again suggested 2c., that we, together with the Princes, Princes and Estates, hereby renew and pledge to them the pledge previously made at the above-mentioned and the last Imperial Diet in Nuremberg.
Item 26: After the monopolies and large companies have committed a selfish, unpleasant act, which is forbidden in common imperial laws with high penalties and punishments, the imperial fiscal shall proceed and act seriously against them, as is due in law, so that such is stopped and the common benefit is promoted.
27 As we, the governors and the regiment, have already established a coinage order in the Holy Roman Empire due to the passing of the Imperial Diet in 1523, but it has not yet been put into use and enforced, we, the princes, princes and estates of the Empire, want and believe that the same coinage order should be inspected again by the regimental councils and finally enforced.
28. Item: When at the beginning of the Imperial Diet some princes, prelates and other estates made a mistake in the session, which was somewhat detrimental to the action and affairs of the empire, so that princes, prelates and estates, at our request, kindly made to them by the governor and commissioners on the ninth day of the month of July, kept their sessions convivially and without danger, We, on account of Imperial Majesty, wish that each prince, prelate and estate shall not be prejudiced, harmed or aggrieved in any way by such a session and survey of this Imperial Diet, which is held in a convivial, harmless and orderless manner.
Item 29: When some estates of the Holy Roman Empire went out against the mandate and prohibition at the recent Imperial Diet at Nuremberg not to mint any more coins, the Imperial Fiscal proceeded and acted against these estates ex officio, and such minting occurred in the past peasant uprising due to noticeable emergency circumstances: our of
on account of imperial majesty, also of the princes, princes and estates, the order and opinion that the fiscal shall not proceed any further against such, for the sake of what has happened, but shall desist from his case and drop it.
Item 30: As it has happened at previous imperial diets that the treaties have not been printed and sold in accordance with the original at times, we want no one to print this treaty of this imperial diet unless Andressen Rücker, secretary of the Mainz and imperial authorities, shows the printer the sealed original, and no printing of it is to be believed unless it is collated, extracted, and signed with his hand by Andressen Rücker.
31 Thereupon we Ferdinand, Prince and Commander in Hispania, Archduke in Austria, in Burgundy, 2c.., Imperial Majesty's Governor, and we, the appointed commissioners above mentioned, by virtue of our authority, on account of the Roman Imperial Majesty, our most gracious lord, everything and anything that is written above and may affect Imperial Majesty, steadfastly, firmly, and sincerely, to comply with it and to live it strictly and without refusal, not to do anything contrary to it, not to undertake anything contrary to it, not to act contrary to it, not to let anything go out contrary to it, nor to allow anyone else to do anything contrary to it on our account, but all danger. In witness whereof we Ferdinand, Prince and Archduke, have hereunto set our seal for ourselves and our fellow commissioners.
32. And we Electors, Princes, Prelates, Counts and Lords, also of the Electors, Princes, Prelates, Counts and of the Free and Imperial Cities of the Holy Roman Empire, envoys, embassies and rulers, hereafter named, also publicly confess with this farewell that all and each of the above-written points and articles have been made and decided with our good knowledge, will and counsel, also approve the same all together and especially herewith and in force of this letter; We do hereby agree and promise in right, good and true faithfulness, which, as far as each of us is or may be concerned with his sovereignty or friend, by whom he is entrusted or trusted, we shall keep and perform truly, steadfastly, firmly, sincerely and unbreakably, and to the best of our ability comply with and live up to them, without any danger.
33) And we, the princes, princes, prelates, counts, lords, and the free and imperial cities of the Holy Roman Empire, the embassies and rulers, who are written below, are: By the grace of God, we Albrecht, of the Holy Roman Church.
of the title of St. Peter ad vincula Priest-Card inal, of the Holy See of Mainz and of the Abbey of Magdeburg Archbishop, Administrator of Halberstadt, Margrave of Brandenburg, of Stettin, Pomerania, Duke of the Cassuben and Wenden, Burgrave of Nuremberg and Prince of Rügen. Hermann of Cologne, Archbishop, Duke of Westphalia and Engern. Richhard, Archbishop of Trier, Archchancellor of the Holy Roman Empire in Germania, Gaul and through the Kingdom of Arelat and through Italy. Ludwig, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria 2c., Johann, Duke of Saxony, Landgrave of Thuringia, Margrave of Meissen 2c. On account of Margrave Joachim of Brandenburg 2c., George of Schirn. Archduke of Austria 2c., Georg Truchsess, Baron of Walburg.
Ecclesiastical princes in person: Conrad, Bishop of Würzburg. Heinrich, Coadjutor of Worms. George, Bishop of Speier. Wilhelm, Bishop of Strasbourg. Johann, Coadjutor of Fulda. Messages of the ecclesiastical princes: The Bishop of Salzburg, Wilhelm, Bishop of Strasbourg. The Bishop of Bremen, Ewald von Bambach. The Bishop of Bamberg, Daniel von Rewitz. The Bishop of Eichstädt, Wilhelm von Seckendorf. The Bishop of Augsburg, Conrad Reintz, Doctor. The Bishop of Constance, Johann Faber, Doctor, with the order of the Bishop of Basel. The Bishop of Freisingen, Georg, Bishop of Speier. The elector of Münster, Wilhelm, Count of Mörß. The administrator of Regensburg, Augustin Roß, Doctor. Bishop of Brixen, Leonhard the Disciple, Baron of Ubelfels. The Bishop of Ratzenburg, Johann Michaelis. The German Master, Walther von Kronberg. Secular princes in person: Frederick, Duke in Bavaria 2c. Johann, Duke in Bavaria. Ernst, Duke of Lüneburg. Philips, Landgrave in Hesse. Ernst, Margrave of Baden. George, Duke of Pomerania. George, Landgrave of Leuchtenberg, on account of his father, Wilhelm, Count of Hennenberg. Messages of the secular princes: Duke Wilhelm and Ludewig of Bavaria, Christoph, Baron of SchwarZenburg, and Wolf of Selbolsdorf. Duke Georgen of Saxony, Ott of Pack, Dieterich. Duke Ott Heinrichs and Philipsen of Bavaria, Reinhard von Neumeck, Knight, and Conrad von Rechberg. Duke Louis of Bavaria, Counts of Veldentz, Wendelthür, D. Duke Henry of Brunswick, Ewald of Bambach. Duke Albrecht of Mecklenburg, George of Schirn. Duke Hans of Eleve and Jülich, Wilhelm, Lord of Renenberg. Johann Georgen and Johann, Counts of Anhalt, Lorenz Zocht, Doctor.
Prelates personally: Gerwig, Abbot of Wein-
garten, on account of his and the subsequently written prelates. Namely Johann's Bastian of Kempten. Rudolf of Friedingen. Conrad of Kreißheim. Josten of Salmansweiler. Jerome of Elchingen. Andreas at Ochsenhausen. Peters at Ursin. Johanns at Rod. James at Mindernau. Johanns at Schussenried. Heinrichs at Markthal. Rüdiger zu Weißenburg, all abbots. The abbot of Rockenburg, Bernhard Besserer, mayor of Ulm. The Abbot of St. Cornelia, Leonhard Stockheimer. The Abbot of St. Heimeran at Regensburg, Augustin Roß, D.; on behalf of the Abbess of Obern- and Niedermünster at Regensburg, Augustin Roß, D. The Abbess of Essen, Ulrich von Thun. The Abbess of Rotenmünster, Conrad Mock, Mayor of Rotweil. On account of the counts and lords in the Wetterau, Swabia, Franconia, Thuringia, Harz and others, Bernhard, Count of Solms, has power. Count Georg zu Werthheim, Ulrich, Count zu Helfenstein. Hoyer, Count of Mansfeld. The free and imperial cities' embassies: Cologne, Arnold Brunnweiler, Arnold von Siegen, and Johann von Freisen, Doctor. Strasbourg, Martin Herlin, and Jakob Sturm. Metz, Gerhard Thammer. Worms, Philips Wolf. Frankfort, with orders of Wetzlar, Haman of Holzhausen, and Berchtold of the Rhine. Bisanz, Johann Libelin. Hagenau, Johann Huß. Colmar, Johann Humel. Goslar, Conrad of Dilligshausen. Mühlhausen, Bastian Roderman. Nordhausen, Jakob Boffman. Dortmünd, N. Mayor. Offenburg, Johann Gostenhoffer, town clerk. Regensburg, Georg Schneider and Johann Heimer. Augsburg, Conrad Herwart. Nuremberg, Christof Kreß, Bernhard Baumgarter, Johann Müller. Constance, N. Geißberg. Ulm, Bernhard Besserer. Reutlingen, Paulus Klein. Nördlingen, Jakob Weidman, Johann Rottinger. Rothenburg an der Tauber, Conrad Eberhard, Bonifacius Wormbser, called Böhem. Schwäbischen-Hall, Herman Büschler, Michael Schütz. Rotweil, Conrad Mock. Ueberlingen, Johann N. Hailbrunn, Caspar Herlin. Memmingen, Eberhard Zangmeifter. Schweinfurt, Andreas Glückeisen. Wimpfen, Johann Fisch. Gemünd, Giengen, Älen has violence Bernhard Besserer. Schlettstadt, Weißenburg, Landau, Obern-Ehenheim, Kaisersberg, Müyster in St. Gregorienthal, Roßheim, Türkenheim has power Johann Humer. Dinkelsbühl, Windsheim, Weißenburg in the North Gau, has Bernhard Baumgarter command.
In witness whereof we Albrecht, Archbishop of Mainz and Elector 2c., Ludwig, Count Palatine of the Rhine 2c., Elector, on account of us and our fellow Electors, and we Georg, Bishop of Speier 2c., Johann, Count Palatine of the Rhine 2c., of
Gerwig, Abbot of Weingarten, for our sake and for the sake of the prelates. We Bernhard, Count of Solms, for our sake and for the sake of the counts and lords. And we, the mayor and council of the city of Speier, on behalf of ourselves and the free and imperial cities, have affixed our seal to this farewell. Given and done in the holy imperial city of Speier, on the seventh and twentieth day of August, after the birth of Christ in the fifteen hundred and six and twentieth year.
810 Aurifaber's report from this Imperial Diet.
This document is found in the Eisleben Collection, vol. I, p. 278; in the Altenburger, vol. Ill, p. 657 and in the Leipziger, vol. XIX, p. 533.
In this year, an Imperial Diet was held at Speier in the month of June, to which John, Elector of Saxony, and Landgrave Philip of Hesse also arrived, along with many other princes, where, for the sake of religion, it was again decided that the Lutherans should rejoin the Papal Church and not undertake any innovation, and that they should behave according to the Edict of Worms, issued in 1521. Since the estates were divided and divided in this action, and the Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse wanted to break away from the Imperial Diet and go home, the matter was directed by King Ferdinand and the Bishop of Trier, Elector, that a Christian, free concilium should be held in the German country within a year, in which these religious disputes would be settled and resolved, and in the meantime everyone should behave quietly and peacefully.
811. news of the Turkish battle that took place on Aug. 29, 1526 and other news, written from Nuremberg on Sept. 22, 1).
Äus Kapp's Nachlese, Theil II, p. 696.
From the Battle of the Turks in Hungary in 1526, on the 29th day of the month of August, on the day St. John Enthaup
tung, from Nuremberg Saturday the 22nd of September.
1st Willing service, honorable and highly respected, especially dear lord and friend. You have undoubtedly heard of the extent to which the King of Hungary, on August 29, a few miles from Fünfkirchen, lay prostrate against the Turks, from
1) In Walch's old edition: "den 12. Sept.", but, as below, it reads September 22, which was a Saturday.
The king, who was betrayed by his own, lost the battle and received considerable damage, for which reason only the men fled from Ofen and the queen fled to Bratislava; it is written of three bishops and great lords who perished. I have not yet heard any news of the king that he is alive, although they sang Te Deum laudarnus at Prague, but he is said to have drowned in flight.
They are not yet in short supply in Milan, nor are they afraid that the Venetians will lie in front of it and do nothing, although they have lost a valiant summa of people in several storms and skirmishes before Cremona.
The alliance also undertakes to besiege Genoa with a powerful armada, but hopes that they will not succeed.
The emperor is sending a large armada from Rome, which, if they arrive happily with divine grace, would change a lot of things. He has also made on Genoa and the Low Countries by bill of exchange over four times a hundred thousand ducats; but the payment is consumed by evil practica.
5 Verhosse, Lord George of Fronsberg shall recently lead ten thousand good servants into Lombardy to relieve Milan.
The king of France has the dog hanged, and the emperor and the pope are sending themselves against each other as if one wanted and had to make himself master of the other, although I have no doubt and trust God well that the emperor will intervene. One hears that the Turk has further plans.
Inserted note eodeni the.
Dato letters have also come that the Turk has taken the county of Cilli, under the Archduke's jurisdiction, the city of Ofen, burned out the plague. The Archduke and Duke Wilhelm together with Duke Ludwigen have been with each other not far from Kopfenstein; the princes of Bavaria have described their countryside to Ingolstadt.
812 Emperor Carl V wrote to the princes of the German Empire about the true cause of the Hungarian defeat, blaming King Francis of France. Dated 29 Nov. 1526.
From Goldasts oo "8t. iMp., tom. I.
Translated from the Latin by Joh. Frick.
Carl von GOttes Gnaden, gewählter römischer Kaiser, zu allen Zeiten Mehrer 2c., den hochwürdigsten und Hochgebornen Fürsten, des heiligen römischen Reichs Churfürsten 2c.
Most reverend in Christ Father, venerable, highborn princes, beloved friends and homes. What we have hitherto done for the welfare, peace and tranquillity of the common people is, we believe, so well known that our reputation and honor cannot be harmed in the least by the malice of any man. We have been careful at all times not to prove our actions with made-up and false words, as most do, but with the deed itself, not before individuals and those who lack right understanding, but before the great God who tests hearts, and before all of Christendom.
2. We do not wish to mention older histories here, but precisely because we wholeheartedly desire and wish to provide for the common good and especially for the tranquility of the German Empire, we have acted against the King of France, whom, as everyone knows, we had every right to hold captive with us, After we had received him with all love and grace in our Spanish lands, and after he had been held in great honor by our subjects, he had been so kind that, if he had not spoiled his own luck, it would easily have seemed as if he had not only not been defeated in the encounter at Pavia, but had even been the conqueror. Although he was our enemy, we nevertheless married our beloved eldest sister, who was so close to us in the successes of important kingdoms, to him, so that he might become our friend and brother-in-law from an enemy. Everyone considered him a destroyer of Christianity, and we wanted to bring the glory of general welfare upon him. He took much from our ancestors in the Kingdom of Spain and the Duchy of Burgundy by force and kept it against all justice and equity; nevertheless, we conceded our rights to him in this and only asked him for what we could not pass without hurting our honor and dignity and without the constant reluctance of our subjects, namely, what he himself had to give us back, even without our seeking (if he otherwise wanted to rightly claim the name of the most Christian). This king, who was pardoned with so many benefits, we have brought back from captivity in
1) Maybe: Succession?
He reinstated his royal honors and, despite the advice of many who thought he was not to be trusted, allowed him to go to France, preferring to put his loyalty to the test and to forgive our rights than to let ourselves be blamed for any misfortune that might befall Christendom. Let us be blamed.
3. And while we, after the internal unrest had been settled, were getting ready for the journey to Italy, as had been agreed among us, and in the hope that he would keep his word just as we keep ours, turn our weapons against the constant arch-enemies of our religion with united forces, as through both of which the kingdom of Hungary could have been protected and the enemies removed from the country, he, on the other hand, is arming himself against us for a bloody war, and attacks, After he has entered into an offensive alliance with the Roman pope and several other potentates in Italy and divided our Neapolitan kingdom among them, so that one of them, with empty assurances that he will keep what he has promised us, is preparing to defend Hungary, while the other is friendly to us, Hungary, only that they might invade us unawares, with these aliirs of his, hostile to our lands and those of the Holy Roman Empire, putting out of sight both our love and affection, and the good of Christendom and the honor of our religion.
But as they did not succeed in their enterprise as they wished out of the just judgment of God, it was not enough for the French king to attack us by force, but he also throws blasphemies around and has them printed with royal privilege and scattered everywhere, without concern that he might invalidate his own words by his actions and deeds contrary to them. And therefore we (although this responsibility or rather scandalous writing, which was printed in the past in both Latin and French with a royal decree in Paris, was answered without our knowledge) did not want at all, but rather expressly forbade, that something of the sort should be published in our kingdoms and countries, and it was considered far better to win him over by virtue than by counterinsult, living in the hope that our gentleness and modesty would subdue and tame his will to anger.
5 Now that a copy of the letter written by the king himself to you and to the rest of the estates of the Holy Roman Empire has been sent to him for the preservation of the free
If you have allowed to reach us the letter of the Holy See, which was delivered to us on the occasion of the arrival and departure of the nuncios to be dispatched in the name of the Empire, not in copy, but printed in Paris, and if we perceive that the King of France therein is expressly acting upon us and our imperial dignity and honor in an indisputable manner, we are obliged to reveal the truth to everyone and to give an account of our actions, even if we would much rather act in these confused and dangerous times than in our own private matter, Although in these confused and dangerous times we would much rather act on the common and private matter, we are nevertheless obliged, whether we want to or not, to reveal the truth to everyone and to give an account of our actions, so that it does not appear as if, through our excessive silence, we accept such false invectives and blasphemous speeches as known.
6. Accordingly, we are sending you the aforementioned responsibility or rather invective, together with an enclosed rebuttal of the same issued in our defense, so that you may the more thoroughly and extensively recognize by what right and in what manner the French king can excuse his broken loyalty and oath; How he wants to be regarded as a peace-loving gentleman, and boasts as if he had offered us cheap peace proposals, although he did not keep a treaty, but against the voluntarily given and accepted loyalty forged an offensive alliance, of which we also send a copy, against us and made a hostile incursion into our lands. How inclined is he to Christianity, the ornament of our religion and the honor of the Christian name, that, hearing that the cruel tyrant, the Turk, is invading Hungary with a large number of soldiers and instruments of war, he makes war on us and compels us to defend our Hungary. power within our borders for the protection of our subjects! Hence it came about that the arch-enemy, to the greatest dishonor of the Christian name, was granted his wish, and this strong rampart of our religion was brought under his impious command, the illustrious king murdered, the Christians driven from their homes, so many temples defiled, and so much innocent blood shed, that we cannot tell it without the utmost sorrow of heart. And since he has given rise to this and all other mischief and misfortune of the common people, he now pretends to have felt this evil, just as if he would have given more credence to his words than to his deeds and the testimony of all those who saw them with their eyes. But we think that he wrote this with the intention of shutting them up,
who caught his breeze and did not let himself be averted from claiming that the Turks had attacked Hungary so fiercely through his help and incitement. However, let us pass by the words of others with silence, and rather come to the letters of the king himself, written with such a false and distorted sentiment.
If he was concerned that the Christian religion would be endangered; if he wished the Republic well; if he cursed the weapons that would be taken against the enemies of our religion, the power that would be put into the field against them; if he condemned the attacks that were made for their extermination, but were carried out on ourselves, and that a Christian would shed Christian blood: why did he himself arouse new war unrest and thus put the Republic in danger? Why did he deprive them of their peace and tranquility? Why did he invade our lands by force and shed Christian blood as soon as he began his government? Why, by his cunning plots and undertakings against the common welfare, did he force us to withdraw our power and the plots we had made several times against the common enemies of our religion for the protection of our subjects? Why does he prefer to be unhappy with the shedding of much Christian blood, despite the divine justice that supports our righteous cause, than to see the glorification of Christ and his own honor?
8. this, although it is known to men, he has no hesitation, without considering whether he is spreading truth or lies, to lay all the blame on us by pretending that we seek to conquer a small piece of land with much blood. Certainly, we were satisfied with a small piece of land for the liberation of such a great king, and would not even have demanded this, if our right to it, as can be clearly seen from the answer to the French apology, were not known to all, and the disregard of it could not be interpreted both for a piece of Christianity, or for a generosity, but rather for a carelessness and sleepiness. And the king, both in the covenant made and outside of it, with express words that he had heard from his mouth and confirmed with a sacred oath, gave the assurance that he would restore this duchy to us, even afterward, when he was released from captivity and came to his kingdom, verbally and through his own words.
In his letters written to us, the German government indicated that it intended to keep and fulfill all the covenants contained in the alliance; finally, however, it changed its mind and no longer wanted to consider restitution: We have not been able to decide to take revenge for the broken covenant, to invade his lands and to offend the common peace by new hostilities, but have urged his hardened heart, partly in writing and partly orally through our nuncios, that he should keep his promise and, if not for the honor of the commonwealth, at least for his own honor. But because he prefers to see the whole of Christendom plunged into obvious danger and to forget all about his given loyalty and sworn oath, the misfortune he himself cites has affected us. In the meantime, he is not afraid to say how wrong he would have protested to us to accept the Christian peace, and in doing so, he uses the very words that we have often reproached him with, that he should not break the oath and the loyalty.
9. That time is wasted through various delays, that the fields of the Christians are devastated, cities destroyed, fires and murders committed, the borders of the enemies extended and their power increased daily, is owed by Christendom to none other than King Francisco, who, dwelling in the midst of Christendom, boasts and brags that he is far removed from this fire of war and from the imminent danger to Christendom; Who confuses everything, lets no one live in peace, forces the peoples to be sent against the Turk to lead against him, stops the envoys sent for the good of the common people in his empire, and counts among his victories that the Turk has thus overrun our brother-in-law's empire, enjoying himself with it, that he is called the most Christian by his own, and regrets our brother-in-law's misfortune, who sacrificed his life for the faith, for the fatherland and for the honor of God Christ and attained a better one, leaving the fame of a pious, brave and magnanimous prince to posterity. For all sensible people must consider this not a misfortune but a good fortune. But how much more unfortunate the king is in France, he may see for himself. At least we would rather exchange our fortune with the king in Hungary than with the Frenchman, even if he often and impertinently lashes out that he wants to try everything so that the peace of Christendom could be preserved. If he seeks this, who will challenge him to a quarrel? Who will invade his lands?
Who wants to get involved with him? Who wanted to stir the dung? If he wishes to see again his sons, whom he gave us as a scourge, why does he not keep the contracts made? If he promised something which it is not possible for him to keep, why does he not return to captivity as he promised? Indeed, he will learn that we are concerned about the common welfare and his honor at the same time. But if he wants to continue the war, should we put our honor at the back of our minds and allow such a great enemy to senselessly attack the army entrusted to us? This reminder, this protestation, which he wants to make to us, is most suitable for him. However, we must almost be ashamed of ourselves that we answer this empty and saber-like chatter so expansively.
(10) If he is far from danger, if he enjoys the most pleasant peace and tranquility within the borders of his kingdom, we never begrudge him this happiness, but rather congratulate him on it from the bottom of our hearts; indeed, we would congratulate him even more if, enjoying tranquility, he also allowed his neighbors to live in peace, and would neither start so many wars, nor endeavor to confuse everything by secret connections. All this, although it cannot be unknown to anyone and therefore needs no testimony, we have nevertheless wanted to report to you, so that no one would think that one must believe such gossip, and so that so many bad words would not offend our still unsullied honor in the least; and finally also so that you know that it was only due to the king in France that we were not able to complete the journey we had begun, of which we had thought something to you in the previous days.
However, with the help of God, we hope to arrange our affairs in such a way that, if he is already against us, but his intention has been frustrated, we will satisfy our desire to make ourselves well deserving of the commonwealth and our zeal for the purity and propagation of our religion. For in the end, on the twentieth day of the next coming month of January, we want to hold a general assembly in this Castilian kingdom of ours, namely in our city of Valladolid, to which we are now departing, where help is to be sent quickly to Germany, so that we are not only able to defend it, but also to weaken the enemy's undertakings and bring them away from the Christians again. For the Spaniards have thereby been led into such a movement of mind.
They have already begun to risk all their strength and fortune, even their own blood, and encourage us to this campaign, for which we have sacrificed (if it will be good) not only all our kingdoms and dominions, but also our person, blood, even our soul to Christ, the great God.
If, in the meantime, by divine inspiration, the King of France should change his mind and make peace with us, we will not only strive to sincerely promote his benefit, honor and reputation in all respects, and to forgive him gladly and willingly for the wrong done to us, but we will also be prepared to make amends to him for our rights, so that, after the disputes have been settled, we may, with united forces, defeat our enemies, drive them from their homes, or even, according to God's will, bring them more easily into Christ's sheepfold.
By the way, we, our beloved friends and foes, consider the harmful intrigues of the French to be hidden from you, as it is their own business to constantly think about how they can cause trouble. It is only for you to believe their words so that they realize that you, as great princes, care nothing for them. Given in our city of Granada, November 29, in the year of our Lord 1526, the eighth year of our Roman Empire.
813: Farewell to the Diet of Esslingen, established in 1526. Given in Esslingen, December 21, 1526.
From Lünig's Imperial Archives, pari. Zen. eont. I, x. 468.
By the Grace of God, we Philip, Margrave of Baden, Imperial Governor, and the decreed councillors of the Imperial Regiment in the Holy Empire; also we the Electors, and twelve ecclesiastical and secular princes, appointed in the Imperial Regimental Order, established at Worms; and of the same embassies, named at the end of this farewell, do hereby publicly confess, as is provided in the now touched Imperial Regimental Order by a special article: if it should come to pass that any remarkable things should occur concerning the Holy Empire, that then an imperial governor together with the regimental councils of the Roman imperial majesty, our most gracious lord, should proclaim this and nevertheless let it reach the six electors as well as the twelve ecclesiastical and secular princes appointed in the said order, who then
(1) And therefore, especially for this supreme cause, by virtue of the proposed article, the above-mentioned princes and rulers, on the first day of the month of December, recently summoned to us, in such burdensome matters and how to meet such intentions and invasions of the Turk, to act together with us in a proper manner and to deliberate and decide. Upon which request we, the above-mentioned princes and princes, appeared here in person, and the others, who were prevented from attending and stayed away for legitimate reasons, by their excellent message. And thus we all have two ways, the first one, one
We have taken into our hands the urgent, and the other, the persistent aid, which we governors and regiment have drawn up in various articles, and have put them under careful consideration, as to how they can be most usefully and most effectively employed against the Turks, and found that especially for a great and persistent help, nothing can be done or acted here now, but that the greatness of the matters requires a common imperial Diet or assembly of all imperial estates.
2. and in consideration, because the above-mentioned article is capable in the affected regiment order, and such not only a principality or landscape of the empire, but the whole German nation, and in addition also the Christian faith, and of each soul, honor, body and property concerns, and therefore a common work, the same common assembly highly requires to perform and act with common council.
3. And so that such common persistent help and resistance against the Turk may thus reach its final progress, we, the above-mentioned governor and regimental councillors, also electors, princes and their embassies, have considered it unavoidable and necessary that for the settlement of such common stately and persistent help and resistance, and resistance, due to the causes of the burdensome action taken and the tyranny practiced by the Turks against the Crown of Hungary, and especially because a further serious invasion by the Turks is to be expected in the near future spring, a general assembly of the imperial estates is to be described.
4. and therefore, as the letter of the above article of order is able to require other princes and estates of the realm to appear in their own persons on Monday after the Sunday of Lent in Lent next 1) to Regensburg, decided unanimously. However, if for the sake of one or more conjugal affairs they should not appear, they should nevertheless finally decide their message with complete force and without hindsight 2) to order such persistent help and what may serve to resist the Turks and their followers, also in other necessary matters, which have been referred here from Esslingen to the same general assembly, to deliberate and conclude.
5. and after the imperial majesty and the holy
1) That is, April 1, 1527.
2) In the old edition: "without getting behind", which is as much as without backing, without first inquiring of their masters.
If Her Majesty is aware of the importance of such and other burdensome matters and affairs to the Roman Empire, to the whole of Christendom, and especially to the German nation, she shall be notified of such a meeting and the reason for it in writing by post, with the appendix that we governors and regiments, princes and princes, and their embassies, desire nothing better, than that Her Majesty, if it were possible, appear at such assembly in her own person, considering that such would do much good to the whole of Christendom, to the Roman Empire, and especially to the German nation, and would be no small comfort in the heavy burden in which the German nation now stands.
Since the time is somewhat too short for Her Majesty to appear, nevertheless, Her Majesty will dispose of the German nation for comfort and help in the most beneficial way, so that the Holy Empire, especially the German nation, and the other high and burdensome concerns and necessities may receive salutary and gracious counsel, help, and understanding, so that the German nation and its members may be placed in a peaceful, unified being. On this day we, the above-mentioned governor and regiment, wish to appear.
Further, for the sake of urgent help, it is considered good that the bordering princes, sovereignties and countries, whose place the Turk would like to invade, be reminded with the provision of passports and otherwise, and in turn be put off to the same time of a counter-help.
After Austria, Saxony, Brandenburg and Bavaria have respected the bordering territories, and then the princes of one part have their own person, and the others have embassies, it is now acted with the same princes and embassies that the princes and the embassies send their sovereigns in resistance, so that one part may come to the rescue and help of the other, and be able to shoot.
(9) And although the Turk, after conquering the Hungarians, has gone home (as it is said), it is not certain, and it is to be feared, that he has done so for his own benefit, and is willing to invade Hungaria or other parts of the German nation again in the future spring, and to extend his power further. In order that the rulers, lands and sovereignties who are in contact with him may not be abandoned or shortened by the urgent aid, it is mutually agreed and resolved that the urgent aid of the two fourths shall be granted to the Crown of Hungary and others against the Turk at the recently held Imperial Diet at Speier.
The governor and the regiment will therefore take great pains to see that this is done, and that the imperial treasurer is ordered to proceed with it. And what is thus imposed, that the same be kept with the four ordered cities and not used or turned to any other place, but only to resist the Turk, as such has recently been granted at Speier, and the article of farewell is able to do so.
(10) And in order that this may be strictly and certainly complied with, it is considered good that, in addition to the four regimental persons named in the farewell at Speier, some more be appointed by princes, princes and the same councils and other estates, who, by their princely dignities, and the councils and others by their duties, shall pledge not to attack such money or to transfer it to other places.
11. that the same appointed princes and rulers have the power and command to attack and use the above-mentioned money at any time, if necessity requires it, solely for the resistance of the Turks in the places where it will be most necessary.
12) And these are the princes and sovereigns, so decreed, namely, the royal dignity of Bohemia, as Archduke of Austria, the Elector of Saxony, the Elector of Brandenburg, Duke Frederick and Duke Ludwig of Bavaria, and the Bishop of Augsburg, as adjoining and bordering princes.
(13) And especially for the promotion of trade, if the Turk were to make his move on Poland in the coming spring, it is well considered that Saxony and Brandenburg, for the sake of urgent assistance, should require the other princes, namely Austria, both dukes of Bavaria, and Augsburg, as well as the four in the regiment, ordered according to the agreement at Speier, to go to Coburg. If, however, the Turk were to invade Austria or Bavaria, Austria, Bavaria and Augsburg, the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg, and the above-mentioned four regimentals should have the power to take on competent captains, to attack the money for it (as above), and to render urgent assistance where it will be most necessary, but nowhere else than against the Turk.
14th The four cities, where the money of the urgent help is to be deposited, shall also be informed of this opinion, namely that they, without regard to the previous order, the farewell to Speier, shall pay all that which is behind them, such urgent help.
The above-mentioned princes and princes, as well as the four regimentals, who have been appointed in the above-mentioned leave, shall not give it or hand it over to anyone, but shall keep it with them until the above-mentioned princes, princes, and the four regimentals have been informed.
Nevertheless, the money deposited for urgent aid, if it is not provided against the Turks or if it would be unnecessary, shall be delivered and handed over again to each state, according to the article of the recently held Diet of Speier.
16 That princes, sovereigns and the appointed councils shall also have the power, where the greatest need and haste require it, to extend such urgent assistance from six months to three months, and thus to duplicate the number of foot soldiers.
17 In addition, it is considered good that the Electors and the abutting princes inquire in the meantime about the nature and occasion of the Turkish assembly, about other abutting princes, counts and dominions, and about their borders, as much as possible, as to how things are and are situated everywhere, and that the Electors, princes, and others, who have been ordered to the money, should at all times inform each other about this, so that they can better direct their advice and urgent and persistent help to them.
18. and these are our hereafter determined Electors' names, who appeared in their own person at Esslingen, and the other messages. By the Grace of God we Albrecht, Cardinal Priest of the Holy Roman Church, Bishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, Administrator of Halberstadt 2c., Archchancellor and Elector of Germania. Reichard of Trier, Archbishop, by Gaul and the King
Reich Arelat of the Holy Roman Empire Archchancellor and Elector. Ludwig, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Archchancellor of the Holy Roman Empire. On behalf of the Archbishop of Cologne, Dieterich, Count of Manderscheid, and Doctor Bernhard von Hagen, Canonicus and Chancellor. The Elector of Saxony, Mr. Hans von Minkwitz, Mr. Christoph Groß. The Elector of Brandenburg, Philipp von Weißenburg and Hans von Arnim.
19, The names of the other twelve ecclesiastical and secular princes: Matthäus von GOttes Gnaden, der heiligen römischen Kirche Priester-Cardinal, Erzbischof zu Salzburg 2c.; Weigand, zu Bamberg. Conrad, at Würzburg. George, at Speier. Wilhelm, at Strasbourg. Christoph, at Augsburg; all bishops. Frederick, Duke in Bavaria, Count Palatine on the Rhine. Wilhelm, Duke in Bavaria, Count Palatine on the Rhine. Messages: On account of Duke George of Saxony, Lord Hans von Schönberg. Margraves Casimir, William of Wiesenthaw, Simon of Zegwitz. Duke Henry of Mecklenburg, Caspar von Schöneich.
And in witness whereof, we, the governors and regiment, have decreed this treaty with the imperial secret to be touched regiment, that we use ourselves herein. And for the sake of us, the princes and princes, also the embassies, we Albrecht, Cardinal, and Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, Primate 2c., and Ludwig, Count Palatine on the Rhine, Duke in Bavaria, princes; and we Weigand, Bishop of Bamberg, of the six ecclesiastical princes; and we Frederick, Count Palatine on the Rhine, Duke in Bavaria 2c., all of the above, for the sake of the six secular princes, each of us has affixed his seal to this farewell. Given at Esslingen, on the 21st day of the month of December after the birth of Christ our dear Lord fifteen hundred and six and twentieth years.