Order to deliver a verdict in the engagement case of Duke Ernst of Brunswick with the daughter of Ernst von Starschedel.
The original concept is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. D, fol. 49. 423 . Printed by Burkhardt, p. 378.
Our greeting before. Venerable, reverend, dear devotees, councillors and faithful. It has come to pass that the highborn Prince, Lord Ernst, Duke of Brunswick, our dear Oheim,
1) The names of the three chancellors are: Heinrich Haß, Franz Burkhard and Johann Feige.
of our also dear uncle, Duke Philipsen of Brunswick, son, to a virgin, our liegeman and subject, Ernsten von Starschedel, daughter, who has been in our friendly dear husband's wives for some time, should have taken a marriage vow with prayer, as you will hear this from the enclosed document, so that the said von Starschedel will reach us, after length. Since we know that Duke Philip, as the Lord Father, has spoken against this and has not wanted to give his fatherly will to such a deal, we have sent him the von Starschedel document, and S. L. has once again asked for his previous objection and for the letter to be sent to him. has ordered lawyers against von Starschedel and his daughter to raise such a paternal objection and contradiction before us or our ordered commanders, and to apply for non-admission of the affected marriage vows or marriage, and now the same von Starschedel, in accordance with his several letters to us, which are also enclosed herein, asks that we inform him of the time and date, and before whom our grandfather H[archduke] Philipps should be vindicated: That we may summon both parties, namely the attorneys of our uncle, Duke Philippe of Brunswick, and von Starschedel together with his daughter, to appear before you on Monday after Jubilate [9.May] to appear before you at Wittenberg at the proper time. Therefore, we order you and hereby request that you file a complaint or report to Ernsten von Starschedel and his daughter, and against them to the attorney of our grandfather, Duke Philip, causes, by which S. L. to have such marriage vows unbonded, and to have their son free, notwithstanding the prayer that has been made, to speak before you from mouth to pen, and, when the party has decided, then to compare yourselves to a verdict, and by virtue of this our order to let it pass, whether such action without and against Duke Philipsen, as Duke Ernsten Herr Vater's father, will be valid or not, and send the parties, at their request, credible copies or vidimus of such judgement under your pen, signed by our consistory notaries; You do our pleasing opinion. Date Torgau, Saturday after Quasimodogeniti [30 April] 1541.
2) Burkhardt: "zu die Feder wolle". For our correction, compare the letter of July 12 in the same matter.
No. 2782.