What was negotiated between Emperor Carl V and Pope Clement VII at Bologna, and how the former announced an Imperial Diet in Augsburg in 1530; as well as the coronation of the Emperor that took place immediately thereafter.
887 Speech by the Imperial Grand Chancellor Mercurinus Gattinara at the meeting of the Pope and the Cardinals, also in the presence of the Emperor, in Bologna, in which he asks the Pope on behalf of the Emperor to write a concilium. End of February or beginning of March 1530.
From the Cölestinus kist. eornit. NVXXX. ^uZustAS esIelnM., lom. I., x. 10; with Wolf in the leet. msinoral"., toi". II., x. 331; with Müller in the Historie von der evangelischen Stände Protestation, lib. Ill, eax. 2, x. 402 and in Lünig, orat. proeer. Lurox., num. XXVII.
Translated from Latin by I. F.
Most holy father, most venerable lord! According to this, the most invincible Emperor Carl the Fifth, all-time superior, my most gracious Lord, at the beginning of his reign, not without the most sensitive pain of his mind, became aware that among the most distinguished teachers of the Church of God a great and very harmful disunity had arisen, and that this is increasing day by day, he must see how even now these theologians differ from one another in doctrine and in their opinions, and how thereby the Church of God is being most miserably harmed, and how many pious people are being greatly annoyed by this kind of performance and evil example; indeed, that the heat of teaching, writing, arguing and quarreling has now come to such a point that, if one does not in time come to the aid of Christendom and the wretched state of the Roman Empire through good counsel, and serve against the present far-seeing disaster
If the Emperor were to provide the same means, in which the Church, all of the same estates, as well as private and common life throughout the Roman Empire, would be in the greatest danger, His Imperial Majesty has, from the beginning of her most noble reign, been so concerned about nothing, and thought of nothing more eagerly, than that she should endeavor and fall upon a means. From the beginning of her most praiseworthy reign, among many other important imperial affairs, His Imperial Majesty has been so concerned about nothing, and has thought of nothing more eagerly, than that she should endeavor and fall upon a means of restoring peace and tranquility to the church and the empire, which are in danger, and of abolishing and clearing out of the way everything that seems to be contrary to the general welfare.
2 Although also Imperial Majesty is well aware that the science and investigation of disputes that arise in the church are primarily the responsibility of His Holiness. Majesty is well aware that the science and investigation of the disputes that arise in the church for the sake of doctrine and customs are primarily the responsibility of Your Holiness. Without this, nothing should and may be done and decided in a right, beneficial and lasting way, and that the care of such important matters is entrusted to Your Holiness by God, and that she takes care of the salvation of the Church and of the sheepfold of Christ in a right fatherly manner, and also, as an old, godly and prudent Lord, takes painful part in the general ruin with His Majesty, nevertheless, Imperial Majesty, although she is an old, godly and prudent Lord, has not yet taken any action against His Majesty. Majesty, although she is currently involved in many imperial affairs and distressed wars, has often wished and requested from God that she could once a day come to speak with Your Holiness and deal with such important matters and take counsel.
3. Majesty has granted her wish, and that she will be able to attend this respectable coronation ceremony.
The opportunity has been given to personally venerate Ew. Heil and to engage in conversation with her, about which Imperial Majesty testifies her heartfelt joy and pays the greatest thanks to GOD; in view of the fact that she firmly believes that a means will be found in this highly honored assembly. Majesty testifies to her heartfelt joy and offers God the greatest gratitude for this; in view of her firm and firm belief that Ew. Heil will find a remedy in this highly honored assembly to remedy the deteriorated condition of Christendom and to provide a powerful remedy for the spiritual wounds inflicted and for the evil life of the people in these gloomy times. For the Emperor is assured by Ew. Hail, that they, like His Majesty, as the two highest heads of the Church and of the Empire, direct their care and effort to the promotion of the glory of God, to the preservation of peace, and to the vigilant prevention and abolition of that which may diminish the excellence and majesty of both; which is especially to be preserved in this way, if one applies diligence and makes every effort to give due honor to the eternal God, namely, to recognize Him rightly, to serve Him, and to call upon Him; that the right and wholesome doctrine in the church be kept pure and clean; that, where errors, false doctrines or superstitions have crept in, they be prevented, the decayed church discipline be restored, the vicious customs, both in the clergy and among the common rabble, of which there are unfortunately many and various, be improved, and the falsified doctrine of the church be purified and cleansed. Whereby His Majesty. according to her wisest insight, considers that if one does not make every effort to have a certain textbook written from the word of God, to bind up and heal the damage of the church at times, and to introduce stricter church discipline, in a short time there will be even greater confusion, even more miserable and thicker darkness, even more heinous barbarism and more considerable damage and fall than has ever been experienced before; Not to think that through the security, nefariousness and sins in which everyone is involved, the harshest and most just judgments will be brought upon the authorities and subjects.
4. When, after the very difficult wars had finally ended, with the abandonment of other efforts, the Emperor began to think about this whole matter often and much, and to consult righteous and knowledgeable men, she could not have devised a more salutary means, and one that would be more in keeping with papal and imperial benevolence, than if, on this day, in this General Assembly, the disputes of the Church were to be settled in a proper manner,
The first thing that is to be done is to have the matter presented in the fear of God, to have it considered and decided according to the rule and truth of the divine word, to have pious and learned men called together from all nations, and to give them free authority to speak publicly, to dispute and to show the truth, to hold opinions honestly and sincerely against each other, to hold discourses on them, and finally to have either papal sanctity or skilful and impartial judges, as many of them as are chosen for the purpose, take care that, after the disputes have been fully settled, they are not heard by the pontifical sanctity, and the previous disputes are completely settled, and finally either papal sanctity, or else skilful and impartial judges, as many of them as are chosen for this purpose, take care that, after they have seen and examined everything well, they hold stiffly and firmly about what agrees with the evangelical doctrine and the unconquerable truth, On the other hand, that the harmful errors and abuses in doctrine, which conflict with the bright and clear word of God, be condemned, and that their authors either be brought to the right path, where possible, or be left to the lawful authorities for punishment, but that everything be done out of love, nothing by force, and that finally all teachers and listeners, after the improvement of the doctrine and the abolition of the abuses that had gone on during the pregnancy, be encouraged to true worship and to the uncolored service of God, as well as to the obedience of the Church, to believe rightly, to teach purely, and to walk blamelessly, according to the pattern presented, so that in this way God may be glorified, the Church may be given a lasting and constant peace, and the welfare of all Christians may be promoted in the best possible way.
5 However, since Imperial Majesty is not unaware of the fact that the papal authorities have been involved in this matter, it is not necessary. Majesty is not aware that papal saints have the right and power to call public meetings. Since it is not concealed from Imperial Majesty that the papal saints have the right and the power to call public assemblies and to convene them, and that the disputes arising in the church are to be submitted to their prestige and judicial pronouncement, Imperial Majesty seeks all the less to infringe upon the rights of the Roman See, since she has recently given an assurance on oath that she will do so. Majesty seeks so much less to infringe upon the rights of the Roman See, since she shortly before affirms on oath 1) to remain a friend and protector of it with all deference and fidelity, but she nevertheless recognizes that the urgent need exists, and present circumstances and the general welfare of the Church require it, and all righteous people desire this with great desire, nor any other way that would be just, equitable, customary and praiseworthy, he-
1) From this, the time to which this document belongs can be approximately determined. The oath which the emperor had to take to the pope before the coronation is found in No. 892 of this volume. The coronation itself took place on February 22 and 24, as we can see from the papal bull dated March 1, 1530 (No. 893).
In order to see that your salvation, your prestige and your rights can be preserved, the decayed church uplifted, the afflicted souls of the pious comforted, and the truth of the evangelical doctrine of Christ asserted, as by the convocation of such an assembly, Your Imperial Majesty asks you to give your consent. Majesty. Ew. Heil, for the sake of Christ and the general welfare, that she will not, in this her noble and highly honored estate and office, the sheepfold of Christ, the will and desire of godly souls, the counsel of understanding and prudent men, and her own honor and reputation, arise, and as soon as possible proclaim a concilium at a convenient place, and believe that this means, which has been in use for many hundreds of years, and has been instructed by God and the apostles themselves, is as necessary as it is useful, since such important disputes cannot possibly be settled by the judicial pronouncement of one and the other, or only to a lesser extent; but this must necessarily be done in a free assembly of the rulers and teachers.
6 However, the fact that Imperial Majesty is so eagerly seeking this for Your Salvation is not with the intention of increasing Majesty so eagerly seeks this from His Holiness, she does not do so with the intention of increasing His Holiness' already important and accumulated business; rather, she sincerely recognizes and confesses that her duty, her love for the true religion and the service of God, and the examples and deeds of the most praiseworthy emperors who have preceded her in government, drive and encourage her to make such efforts. For His Imperial Majesty knows well that Christian princes are fathers of the Church, and are appointed to save the honor of God, and to severely punish everything that either teaches and preaches, or does, in an ungodly and detrimental manner against God and His only begotten Son. She remembers that Constantine was as busy with the preservation of the Christian religion as he was with the administration of the commonwealth and the conduct of wars, and that since Arius had spread harmful and blasphemous errors against the Son of God, he held a famous and excellent assembly at Nicaea to investigate and condemn them, and that the proven errors were publicly condemned by the holy bishops and learned church fathers. Nor is it unknown that Emperor Theodosius and Valentinianus, to say nothing of others, were present at such respectable meetings, and that, after each had freely spoken his mind, a common conclusion was reached, and from the word of God the errors that had arisen were condemned, but the authors were not condemned.
of the same with a severe punishment. Finally, she is certain that such conventions and deliberations have often been very useful and profitable for the Church of God and the whole world, and as one can never better examine the truth, see the errors, exercise church discipline, improve the vices, and resolve dangerous disputes than in ordinary meetings; so she does not see how in our times the lost peace could be restored in a more comfortable and less troublesome way (since she has misgivings about using violent means in this matter).
Accordingly, His Majesty stands in the complete hope that His Holiness will give place to her kind remembrance and request, as well as to the advice, ardent wish and sighing of so many pious souls, and agree that only by this means, which is the most honorable, mildest and most pitiable in this, the beginning of unification is attempted. She does not doubt that the immortal God, through His Spirit, will guide and govern these proposals for the glory of His name, as well as for the benefit and long-lasting peace of the Church, the Roman See and the Empire.
8. His Imperial Majesty also promises high and dear that she will at all times faithfully assist your salvation and the entire Empire with her power, good counsel and reputation and, in remembrance of her oath, will be and remain a faithful patron and brave defender of the apostolic see, of the evangelical truth, and of all the subjects of the Roman Empire.
888 Pope Clement's answer, in which he tries to reject the announcement of a concilium.
This and the next following writing is found in Melanchthon's (keelarnat., tom. V., p. 94 84., moreover at the locations indicated at the previous number.
Translated from Latin by I. F.
We well believe that you, Emperor Carl, who according to your insight speak reverently of the invocation of God and refer to the examples of praiseworthy princes, urge a synod out of good opinion; although in this matter, in which the church is in great danger, it is our advice and reputation that is most important. For, that we do not examine our right to do so now, it is known that in the Nicene Assembly it was agreed that they should be kept in the occidental church.
We have often consulted with ourselves and with the present Genutius, Farnesius and others on how to restore peace in the church. For this reason, we have often consulted ourselves, as well as the present Genutius, Farnesius, and others, about how to restore tranquility in the church; whether to deal with such matters in an assembly, or rather to attack by force those who depart from the decrees and common opinions. Since we do not consider it good to call a synod, we ask at the outset that you do not think that we are concerned about ourselves and the riches of the Roman See. It is said of John XXIII that he regretted holding a synod at Constance, since this overthrew him from his sovereignty; but we, who likewise experience all kinds of changes in fortune, and were also recently imprisoned, think that not only honor and power, but also this life itself is like a fleeting and transitory shadow, and want to resign our office with a calm and quiet mind, if God or some fate should demand it of us.
2) Subsequently, the goods of the Roman See, which Ludovicus, Caroli's son, has dedicated to it, in order that we may partly meet the most necessary expenses in our regiment, and partly provide ourselves with more security against unpleasant incursions, do not cause us the slightest grief, but would like to see ourselves relieved of this burden if we could always have such emperors as you are.
Accordingly, we are not at all opposed to holding an assembly because of these foolish and foolish desires; we also allow great legal scholars to speak: Reputation must make the judicial pronouncement valid, and what has been decided before must not be invalidated by new discussions. For, if such a discussion were advisable to the peace and the descendants, we would certainly not want to prevent it, whose mind and thoughts are directed solely and exclusively to the general peace and the welfare of our descendants. However, we want to find out the real reasons for our decision from the different nature of the doctrinal points themselves.
There are doctrines, some of which are not only fundamentally false, but also obviously absurd and inconsistent, such as the Anabaptist doctrine that all goods must be common to all; that sovereign power, courts of law, lawful punishments, and dominions are things that God cannot possibly have.
Everything that happens, even evil deeds, must necessarily happen that way; the human will has no freedom at all; people are born again without the written word, through secret inspirations, by which the unruly will is broken. Recently, Samosatian errors about the Son of God have come onto the scene, according to which the doctrine of our church is transformed into the Mahomedan one.
(5) Just as, when a fire breaks out, everyone runs to extinguish it, so all authorities should be busy to suppress these disputes at their first beginning, and it would have dire consequences if we were still to argue about them. Emperor Constantius sat and could hear in the assembly the dazzler recite this blasphemous conclusion: The Father is the Son, therefore the Son is not equal to the Father. Is it not recklessness, or rather impiety, to listen to such talk? Should we consider you as careless, we do not want to say as calm, as Constantius was, that you, sitting in the assembly, would listen to such deceitful speeches without the most sensitive reluctance?
The other kind consists of confused, and that we speak so, indissoluble doctrines. If these had not come to light, it would have been much better, because the dispute could not be settled. The questions about the worship of the bread, the sacrifice, and the mass belong to this category.
7 The third type includes those which the pope has the power to dispense, for example, that he may remit vows, permit marriage, and improve superstitions in food, clothing, and such lappishness. Since the latter kind of things are obvious and clear, they do not need to be examined in an assembly. If kings and princes demand that these matters be decided, the Roman See can put an end to the dispute by a single judicial pronouncement. We ourselves also wish that superstition and evil habits, which become even more prevalent through thoral laws, would cease; but we do not want to know anything about anarchy. The Roman See should be duly sought for improvement; but we will not let it be deprived of the prestige and power it has received from the old church. From these various classes of doctrines considered, the
Cause to be seen why no synodus shall be held.
So there is nothing left but to restore peace through your weapons. Italy, conquered by the same weapons, is now at peace; the king of France, who fought with you not over Stoic crickets or the Jewish superstition of the monks, but over the empire, is defeated. How much easier you will bring a moderate part of Germany under your control, in which matter you will also have to look after the descendants. Where the prestige of this see falls, anarchy will follow from it, in which the lapsed church discipline will give birth to barbaric and wild customs, and the untamed freedom of the mind to infinitely new doctrines. Therefore, you will see that in this conflagration, the dwelling will bring about an alarming damage.
889 Emperor Carl's rebuttal that a concilium was indeed highly necessary.
See No. 888.
Translated from Latin by I. F.
We recognize that we are young in years, and we confess that we have consulted Mercurinus, who is present here, and other men of understanding, and that we must listen to those who have more insight than we do; we have also spoken of this consultation, which is for the glory of God and the welfare of the entire human race, with many wise, virtuous and honest men, who are of the opinion that the church is in great need of a synod. You are also not unaware of the constant longing with which all sensible and righteous people throughout Europe are looking for a legitimate synod.
Accordingly, after long consideration and well-considered reasons, which you oppose, we want a synod to be appointed. You should know that Mercurinus made his speech at our command, and that we will not change our opinion as long as we live. Your proposal may appear to be apparent and pleasant to common people; our proposal, however, is legitimate and beneficial to the church, and will also, as we hope with divine help, if you do not prevent it, be salutary and beneficial to the entire human race. Nor shall your terrible lecture, that one need not listen to a disputation on inconsistent and indissoluble doctrines, be of any consequence to us.
from our opinion. For not everything that is now being disputed is absurd; even in the church there are no questions of necessary matters of faith that would be indissoluble. We have often heard the Platonic saying: just as the madness in parents is to be patiently endured, so also in the republics and religions some errors should be overlooked. In this, both in the regiment and in the church, one must not go beyond the goal. The reason must certainly not be abandoned in the church, and the eternal laws forbidding idolatry and disorderly lusts must be adhered to in the regiment and in the church. However, some worship that is highly detrimental to God has now crept into the church, and shameful lusts are in the open. To remedy this evil, it is necessary not only to hold a synod, but also to prepare a whole book of faith, which all nations in their churches will unanimously accept. For you know what disagreements are going on in your party about many important matters. If such inconsistent things are now being spread, the synod must counter them with excellent and strong testimonies, and give the people grounds for proof, so that they will not be deceived now and in the future.
(3) But it is not fitting for a pope to say that some questions are insoluble. God has revealed Himself according to His immeasurable goodness, and wants us to accept the teaching that He has had recorded, which, if it were doubtful, would be an empty sound. We, however, like Theodosii's suggestion, who has had testimonies from credible antiquity sought out and presented in the Synod. For we gladly accept the church itself as a teacher, as Samson said there: If you had not plowed with my calf, you would not have guessed.
(4) As for the pardon, 1) or remission, to which you offer yourselves, this can be done much more effectively in the synod, for greater harmony can be expected among the nations if all hear and accept such a pardon pronouncement at the same time. We stick to the brave saying: Where there is general danger, one must also consult together, and will not arise with our services, after investigation of the circumstances. However, in order that such an investigation may take place properly, we will, following the example of
1) This refers to § 7 of the previous number: "remit the vows" 2c.
of the old emperors, be present, and make it as much as possible that one keeps these reasonable laws. Both parts must be consulted with each other, and a pronouncement must be made, not according to his tyrannical pleasure, but according to the law, and according to the teaching given to us by God.
(5) That we should now, as you wish, exterminate good and evil with each other without distinction, we never do, and we certainly do not want to banish lawful judgments from the church and to have introduced a tyranny. Incidentally, in the previous war we made clear enough our reverence for the Church, the Roman See and you, which we will not refrain from showing in the future.
890 Emperor Carl V's invitation to the Imperial Diet in Augsburg, as sent to Elector John of Saxony and other protesting imperial estates, January 21, 1530.
To the Highborn Johansen, Duke of Saxony, Landgrave of Thuringia and Margrave of Meissen, Archmarshall of the Holy Roman Empire, our beloved Oheim and Churfürst.
Carl von GOttes Gnaden, gewählter römischer Kaiser, zu allen Zeiten Mehrer des Reichs 2c.
Highborn dear grandfather and elector! Although from that time on, when we return to our Hispanic kingdoms after receiving the royal crown and holding our first Diet at Worms, we have always considered the dignity and majesty in which we are placed by divine providence in the praiseworthy German nation, and that it would not only be fair, but also useful to the common nation, after establishing some order by which the subjects of our Hispanic kingdoms can pass the time of our absence, but that it would be useful for the common nation, after the establishment of some order, so that the subjects of our Hispanic kingdoms may live the more in peace, tranquility and unity during the time of our absence, 1) to dispose of us to the noble estates of the Holy Roman Empire, as our natural members, and to make essential changes in them.
1) In the original: "ainig Kait".
And that we have therefore been prepared and provided for by the prevailing mind, even on several occasions, to do our utmost in the holy kingdom, and to understand its common things and benefits: Nevertheless, on account of our enemies 2) and adversaries, such excellent and great things and hindrances have been conceded to us that, against our heart's desire, we cannot complete our intention; as your beloved and other estates of the Holy Roman Empire have no doubt sufficiently understood from the notice of our Imperial Diet held, and our appointed commissioners' oral apology at the same Imperial Diet. And although by these, and also in other ways, so noticeable and evident, we have sufficiently shown and proved our eager will and love, which we bear to the commonwealths of ours and of the Holy Roman Empire, and to Holy Christendom: We have now wanted to testify to this more impressively and more evidently, as we have seen that by all possible diligence on our part, it would seem that the tranquility of these Italian lands is in harmony with the height and dignity of the Holy Roman Empire, and the unity of the praiseworthy German nation might have been directed and set in a constant state, nothing has ever been accomplished, and that all things have become more and more annoying every day, for which reason we cannot consider nor find it more convenient to improve such conditions with us than by our presence, and have had it for that, 3) if the Italian potentates and countries understand our gracious will, that in our undertaking to restore and place them in good essential condition, they would be the more willingly healed, that also in the praiseworthy German nation, so every opinion and opinion would be heard and diligently moved, all unequal and vain things should be settled with common counsel, and that which would be right and honest should be upheld by papal sanctity and our imperial power, authority and permission, and thus the holy empire of the German nation should also be brought back into unity. We have therefore entered into a peace with our enemy and adversary, in which we have set aside our own benefit, so that we may promote the common good of holy Christendom.
2) With Förstemann: "Uyande".
3) "Present" here will mean: in our personal presence.
left our Hispanic kingdoms, which at this time are the most satisfactory among all provinces; We have not considered any expenses, nor dangers, neither of the sea, nor otherwise, which we have therefore had to face, and which we have had to expose ourselves to, and have arrived in Italy according to the will of God, in the opinion not only to bring these lands to peace, as has been reported, but also to report our concerns, intentions and opinions to our holy father, the Pope, so that we might know what we should hope for his holiness, for the establishment of this unity in the holy realm of the German nation. The other day, after our arrival, the newspapers announced to us how the hereditary enemy of our holy Christian name and faith, the Turk, had overrun the Christian kingdom of Hungary and our fatherland, the Archduchy of Austria, with his great power, destroying everything with murder and fire, and that the holy empire of the German nation, if we do not come to its aid, is in dire straits, and that the holy empire of the German nation, if we do not come to its aid, is in the greatest distress, for which reason we have become resolved to leave not only Italy, but also our kingdom of Naples, which at the time was still in rebellion and almost in no less danger, and to approach the German nation and the greater danger with haste, in our own person and with all our people of war; Therefore, requesting and asking the Papal Holiness, since necessity requires nothing else than that we not only retreat or defeat the Turks with the mightiest force, but also with the best of intentions, ways and counsels, We have come to direct such great and diverse opinions, that she would come together with us in this city of Bononia to promote the tranquility of these Italian lands, the unity of the Holy Empire of the German Nation, and in general the salvation and welfare of all Holy Christendom. In which her holiness, when she understood our mind, not only willingly accommodated us, but in addition also met our arrival there with great daily journeys, and received us there quite mildly and kindly, in whose person we also had as much and more love and desire to bring the affairs of the holy empire of the praiseworthy German nation to good peace and unanimous understanding and being, and to order in the Christian religion everything that is right and honest, as we hoped, felt and found. After which, when we had
1) With Förstemann: "set up".
We had therefore, after receiving our imperial crown, as we had decided to do, joined the empire of the German nation in the most beneficial way; but when we understood that the Turk had withdrawn, and that our future was so nearly, as before, to hurry, it was unnecessary: So we again considered it useful, on our previous undertaking, to first put the tranquility of these Italian lands into a permanent being, and to keep and confirm them in the holy empire's faithful will and relationship, which we also hope to end within a short time; 2) and therefore, so that we may do it all the more quickly, we do not undertake or refrain from doing anything that we may consider useful and conducive to this. And so we have to provide in the meantime and besides in the matters of the Holy Empire of the.German nation, especially as we have truly learned that, after the recently held Diet of Speier, your beloved and other estates of the Holy Roman Empire have, for the sake of resisting the Turk's mighty plans for the Christian crown of Hungary, decided not to circumvent the border of the Holy Roman Empire, as the same time of the border against the Turk, assistance followed, that nevertheless such by diligent action on some held days at Regensburg so late and slowly arrive, that to the noble prince, Mr. Ferdinand, king to Hungary and Bohemia, archduke to Austria, our friendly dear brother and governor in the holy realm, with his and his beloved kingdom, principality and country's highest support, it has been impossible to stop the Turks with his excellent, unheard-of power, which he had on water and land in Hungary, we will remain silent on the borders, so that his beloved unfortunately had to watch and tolerate that the same Turk overran the Christian crown of Hungary by force, almost conquered it completely, then immediately attacked our Archduchy of Austria, besieged the capital Vienna in it, worked hard, and pressed it; And even though, by the grace of the Almighty, and with the stout-hearted chivalrous resistance and opposition of the Christian warriors therein, he again abandoned his tyrannical plan, he nevertheless, through his excellent patrols, conquered the same archduchy, especially in the countryside, especially on the land on which Vienna is situated, up to the water, the Ens, also a good part of the principality of Steyer, with the shedding of much innocent blood, robbery, fire and the removal of many Christian people, as then all this of your love undoubtedly well knowing
2) In the original: "zuedn" - to end.
This is something that every Christian man should take to heart and feel compassion for the afflicted. And because the reported Turk is pursuing all his undertakings earnestly and with assiduous diligence, especially if he achieves victory 1) in it, which is evident from the fact that in two campaigns, which he has made one after the other in the aforementioned crown of Hungary, and now recently in Austria, he has devastated and ruined much noble fertile land with fire for more than a hundred German miles, and has no other means at his disposal, even though he has again taken his hasty departure from Austria, because, according to his tyrannical, eager mind, he will, in the future, with further and more serious intentions and greater power than has ever been done, act upon common Christendom, and subject himself to attempting his salvation and obtaining his will: We, as Roman Emperor and Head of Christendom, have, as much as is humanly possible and possible, been pleased and gracious to promote the welfare of the Holy Roman Empire and to prevent it from harm and damage, so that, as much as is humanly possible and possible, we may have a salutary, noble and profitable intervention in other matters incumbent on the Holy Roman Empire for the purpose of resisting, averting and preventing the Turkish invasion, We have decided to hold a general Diet and Assembly on the eighth day of the month of April in Augsburg, our city and that of the Holy Roman Empire, at which time we hope to discuss these Italian matters, so that we may attend such a day in person; as we have finally resolved to do. Which day we therefore hereby proclaim to your love, commanding by Roman imperial power, and earnestly commanding by the duties, so that you are related to us and the empire, and want you to appear personally on the same day at Augsburg, and together with us and other our and the holy empire's princes, princes and states, which we have likewise described, to undertake, to deliberate, to decide and to carry out, how to avert the troublesome burden and invasion of Christendom by the Turkish invader, with serious rescue, resistance and persistent help, according to necessity, to the action previously practiced for this purpose; moreover, because of the confusion and discord in the holy faith and Christianity.
1) In Förstemanir: "sey" instead of: Victory.
Religion may and should be acted upon and decided upon. And so that this may be done the better and more salutary, to lay aside the disputes, to refrain from reluctance, to surrender past errors to our Savior, and to apply diligence, to hear, understand, and consider in love and kindness all of each one's opinion and opinion and opinion between ourselves, to bring them to one Christian truth and to compare them, to do away with everything that is not interpreted or acted rightly for both parts, to do away with everything that has not been rightly interpreted or acted on either side, to accept and keep one true religion through all of us, and as we are all under one Christ, to live in one fellowship, church and unity, and finally to decide, make, establish and maintain good unity and peace, also otherwise good coin, police and welfare of the holy kingdom everywhere in these and other matters incumbent upon it. And therefore, that you do not fail to attend, nor refuse to go to someone else, and that you do not let anything but God's power prevent you from doing so, lest, as has often happened in the past, others, arriving in time, have to wait with annoyance, heavy costs and detrimental consumption of time: that we, considering that we ourselves attend such a Diet with our great inconvenience, but for the benefit and good of the Holy Roman Empire, as is reported, want to provide ourselves to your love without doubt. Your beloved, together with the fact that she owes this to the holy realm in the movement of her relationship, also does our serious opinion. And if you do not appear in ten days, the next after the aforementioned appointed day, then nothing less will be done and decided by us with the present estates, in all measure, as if you and others had been present, which we also want to respect and execute everything as firmly, steadily and powerfully as if all estates, those present and absent, had consented to it. Let your beloved be completely guided by this. Given at Bononia on the one and twentieth day of Januarii, Anno 2c. in the thirtieth of our kingdoms, of the Roman in the eleventh, and of the other-all in the fourteenth.
Carol.
Ad mandatum Caesareae et Catholicae Maj est. proprium.
V[idit] Waltkirch.
Alexander Sweat.
891 A letter from Prince John to the Emperor stating that he will appear in person at the Imperial Diet. March 23, 1530.
The original of this letter can be found in the Weimar archives. It was already sealed, but was not sent in this copy, but in another one. Printed by Müller 1. 0. p. 452; by Walch and in Förstemann's "Urkundenbuch zu der Geschichte des Reichstages zu Augsburg," Vol. I, p. 116.
By the most lucious, most powerful Emperor, Your Imperial Majesty, my submissive and willing services are in all obedience before. Most gracious Lord! Your Imperial Majesty. Majesty. Letter, which is dated Bonaparte, the fifth and twentieth day of February, and was received by me yesterday, in which Ew. Majesty. Coronation, so the same Your Imperial Majesty. Majesty received there in Bononia on the day of St. Matthew the Apostle, and that His Imperial Majesty has finally decided to take possession of the city. Majesty finally resolved to join the Holy Empire of the laudable German nation in the most conducive manner, namely, to the Imperial Diet which Your Imperial Majesty will hold on the eighth day of April. Majesty's eighth day of April in Augsburg, I have read out all the contents in my humble opinion and gladly heard that Your Imperial Majesty has expressed her imperial approval. Majesty have received their imperial coronation and are willing to attend in Germany and further afield the Imperial Diet announced by Your Imperial Majesty. Majesty's announced Imperial Diet at Augsburg. To all of these, Your Imperial Majesty. Majesty I wish by God Almighty happiness, salvation and all the best, also hope to God, Your Imperial Majesty. Majesty. I also hope to God, that Your Imperial Majesty's future in the holy empire and the discussion at the Imperial Diet will be conducive to peace, unity, welfare and all good things by the bestowal of divine graces. I am therefore responding to Your Imperial Majesty's call for tenders. Majesty, which was delivered to me safely eleven days ago, as long as God Almighty preserves my health, I am willing to attend such Imperial Diet as Your Imperial Majesty has announced. Majesty in person. I have not wished to restrain Your Imperial Majesty from all this, and I respectfully submit to Your Imperial Majesty. Majesty command me in all submissiveness. Date Torgau, the third and twentieth day of March, Anno dni 2c. thirtieth.
Your Imperial Majesty. Majesty.
subservient obedient
Johans, Duke of Saxony and Elector 2c.
Johans L.i)
1) This is the Elector's own handwritten signature.
892 The oath taken by Emperor Carl V to Pope Clement VII before his coronation.
In Cölestins llist. oornit. torn. I., p. 16 reprinted from a writing that appeared in quarto in 1530 under the title: Kaiserl. Majest. Coronation happened in Bononia on the 24th day of February on St. Matthias day 1530.
Germanized.
We, Carl, Roman King and soon to be Emperor by the Grace of God, promise, assure, testify and swear by God and Saint Peter that in the future we will be a constant protector of the Papal Highness and the Roman Church to the best of our strength, understanding and ability, and that we will not do violence to any freedom of the Church, but will preserve and protect its authority, right and rule as much as we can, in which we call upon God Himself and these holy Gospels as witnesses.
893 Pope Clement VII's bull concerning the imperial insignia he had granted Emperor Carl V and the coronation he had performed on him.
March 1, 1530.
From Lünig's Imperial Archives, pari. Zsn. oont. II, p. 336. translated from the Latin by I. F.
Clement, bishop, the servant of the servants of God, for constant remembrance of the cause.
Since in the next month of February, on the feast of St. Peter, whom we succeeded, although with unequal merit, but with equal prestige and authority, our beloved son, William, of the title of St. John and Paul Cardinal Priest, wanted to perform Holy Mass at our request in the chapel of our palace in Bononia. We have been succeeded by our beloved son, William, Cardinal Priest of St. John and St. Paul, who, at our command, wished to celebrate the Holy Mass in the chapel of our palace at Bononia, where we are presently staying, and who, before we entered the chapel, anointed our most beloved son in Christ, Emperor Carl the Fifth, by virtue of our authority, and observed the other customary ceremonies, according to ancient usage: After the completion of these ceremonies and anointing, we entered the chapel and, during the mass, handed over the royal and imperial insignia to Carolo and placed an iron crown on his head. From then on, after three days, 2) namely, on the day of St. Matthew the Apostle, which was Carolo's birthday, he was given a crown of iron.
2) These "three days" are reckoned in the Roman way, including the first and third days. The first day is Peter's feast of the chair, February 22, and the third day is St. Matthew's feast, February 24.
(him) with a golden crown, and at the end ordered us out of the palace over the bridge built for this action into the temple of St. Petronii. After Emperor Carl himself performed everything that such ceremonies entail, he was first made a canon of the main church of the most noble of the apostles of the city before the altar erected above the scaffolding by some canons of said church, who were staying in Bononia at that time and were present here; Afterwards, after having heard two speeches directed to this solennity, one of which was delivered at the entrance to this church by the bishop of Palestrina, the other, inside, by the bishop of Sabina, just above the emperor, in a sublime voice, he went to a certain chapel, where he had the vestments and regalia put on him, like those worn by the deacons; From there he rose to the throne prepared for him; there he received the anointing from the bishop of Ostia and presented himself before his eyes. While he was saying mass and had not yet finished reading the Gospel in Latin and Greek, we gave the emperor the royal and imperial insignia, which he had received from us three days earlier, and in particular put the ring on his gold finger and had the sword, which he was to use against the enemies of the truth, girded at his side; Then he crowned his head with a golden crown, gave him the scepter immediately, as the special ornament of kings, and the orb, on which the whole world was stabbed, into his hands, and finally left him to the kiss of peace, so that the incarnate, preaching, dying, risen and reigning Christ might instruct his congregation. Thereupon he sat down on the Caiferl. He then rose to the Caiferl throne, which stood next to our right side. After the end of the mass and the completion of everything that, according to the old custom, should be done at such a coronation, we rode into the palace from which we had come. And lest there should be any doubt in the minds of the presumptuous as to whether the iron (or Longobard) crown, which had been placed in the Modenese or Milanese church a long time ago, and the gold (or Roman) crown, which the Pope of Rome had been pleased to place on the Emperor's head in the aforesaid church of St. Peter, and both of which we now, at the humble request and entreaty of the Emperor and for legitimate reasons, presented to him in Bononia, would have as much force as if each of them had been presented to the Emperor.
had been handed over and accepted at the designated place according to ancient usage: In order that this doubt may be removed from the minds, we declare by apostolic authority, by virtue of the present bull, and we also want it to be brought down to the descendants, that all the above, and what has been done in this place, shall be as firm and immovable and retain its force as if that coronation with the iron crown at Modena or Milan had taken place, and immovable, and shall have and retain its force and continuance, as if that coronation with the iron crown at Modena or Milan, and this one with the golden one at Rome, had been solemnly performed in the aforesaid church, under the ordinary ceremonies; also want, by virtue of the present, that all judges and administrators in the papal palace, as well as the Holy Roman Church Cardinals, interpret, judge and pronounce it in the same way, and do not allow anyone to interpret, judge and pronounce it differently; add to this, from infallible science and apostolic complete authority, all deficiencies and errors, both in what should have happened by right and in what really happened, if some should have happened. Finally, by virtue of this writing, according to our special gift of grace, we grant Carolo, whom then Pope Leo the Tenth, of blessed memory, after the flesh our brother, cousin and predecessor, dispensed in a bull, that he could keep the kingdom of Neapolis next to his imperial regiment, to more caution the grace that he may and may freely keep this Neapolitan kingdom next to his imperial regiment, as long as he lives, without regard to all contrary apostolic decrees, letters of grace, statutes, customs, imperial laws 2c. Accordingly, all believers in Christ, vassals and subjects of the said Empire, of whatever rank they may be, even if they are emblazoned with the royal or papal dignity, in virtue of holy obedience, and as dear as our grace is to them, are hereby strictly bound and commanded that they ever and ever truly render the owed obedience to the aforementioned Emperor Carl. And no one shall take the liberty to offend this written declaration, will, decree, pardon and order of ours, or to act rashly against it. But if anyone should undertake to do so, let him know that he will incur the disgrace of the Almighty God and of His blessed Apostles Peter and Paul. Given at Bononia, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 1530, March 1, in the seventh year of our papal dignity.